Alayna Alexander | staff writer

The Duquesne football team bounced back from a rough start to the season, tallying its first win on Senior Day Saturday, shutting out National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) opponent Rio Grande (Ohio) 53-0 in the Dukes’ home opener.

After starting out 0-3 with tough away matchups, the squad bounced back in a big way Saturday.

Duquesne graduate quarterback Carson Camp threw for 211 passing yards, connecting 16 times out of his 21 attempts. He recorded three touchdowns and an interception.

The Dukes had 267 total rushing yards in the game, with sophomore running back Cam Oliver leading the way with 97 yards and a touchdown. Senior running backs Shawn Solomon Jr. and Dazhaun Hopkins and graduate wide receiver Myles Walker all recorded rushing touchdowns.

Head Coach Jerry Schmitt expressed his happiness that his Camp put up good numbers this weekend despite setbacks in the first three weeks of the season.

“It was good to see him make some really good throws and get into a rhythm,” Schmitt said.

The receiving end of the Dukes offense was hot too, with sophomore wide receivers Ryan Petras and Trey Graham both cashing in three receptions.

Sophomore wide receiver Zae-Mear Correll, junior wide receiver Khiryn Boyd and senior running back Ness Davis were on the other end of Camp’s scoring passes. Petras was the leading receiver on the day with 52 yards.

On defense, Zion Patillo had five tackles, four of which were tackles for loss. Patillo would account for two of the team’s four sacks in the game, tallying both on back-to-back plays in the third quarter.

Schmitt was pleased with Patillo’s performance during the game, noting that his sacks were “outstanding.”

“He’s had explosion; he’s learning the game more,” Schmitt said. “He has now earned the opportunity to take it on the field, and he’s doing a really great job. We’re happy for his success.”

Patillo shared his sentiments about being back at home, saying that it reminds the team that there is something to fight for.

“It’s just nice out there playing on Rooney Beach, and everybody makes a play; it’s just nice to play football,” Patillo said.

Patillo said that when he’s playing, he thinks about the people who are important to him, and that is how he gets himself through the game and makes plays.

“When I’m playing, I just think about my boys, who I’m playing for,” Patillo said. “I think about my mom, my dad, all of them. They were here today supporting us, and I just have to get it done for them.”

Patillo is a veteran for the Dukes, but he finally got his chance to step up and make some plays.

“My motto everyday that I go into practice and then playing with is ‘I have to be what the team needs me to be,’” Patillo said. “I need to be a cog in the machine so that we can perform.”

Davis said he was happy to see fans come and support the team in their first game at home this season.

“It was a great day, good weather, fans came out to support, we appreciate that, and all my teammates got to play,” Davis said.

Senior day allowed a lot of guys who do not regularly get to play the chance to take the field. Schmitt acknowledged that it was nice to see them play, especially in front of their families.

“There are a number of those guys that I shook hands with their parents, and they dedicated themselves to Duquesne,” Schmitt said. “To let them go in and play, and be a part of it, it’s just a great thing.”

RedStorm quarterback Braden Schreck threw for 22 yards and was sacked by the Dukes’ defense three times. The team rushed for 81 yards but lost 66 yards to defensive plays. Rio Grande only racked up 28 receiving yards among their five receivers.

The RedStorm made some defensive moves, with Quintavious Tyus recording 11 tackles and Isaac McCory recording eight.

Duquesne had 500 yards of total offense through 72 plays, and Rio Grande only had 43 yards after 53 plays.

The RedStorm only made it into the redzone one time, where they were met with a poised Duquesne defense.

The Dukes’ attention will turn to their next game Oct. 10, taking a week off before starting NEC play against Long Island University back at Rooney Field.

Alayna Alexander can be reached at alexandera5@duq.edu