Inside the Dukes: Duquesne Football Ends Season On High Note

Duquesne Football’s final game of the season against nearby rival Robert Morris came down to the final seconds and while pride was on the line, senior kick Matt Reed wanted to ensure the Dukes playing their last ever collegiate contest got to end their careers on a proper note.

A couple of hours earlier, Central Connecticut State bested Mercyhurst, meaning Duquesne would not have an opportunity to extend its season and earn a potential tiebreaker which would have earned the conference’s automatic postseason berth, a fact which could have explained some of the uneven attention to details in the mid quarters, but that was the past and now all the Dukes could control was Reed’s 33-yard field goal.

Duquesne got into position for this game-winning effort with a defensive stand and then the big play came when quarterback Tyler Riddell connected with freshman wideout Ryan Petras, the 38-yard combination placing the Dukes in field goal range.

It was a play that fired up the Duquesne sideline while at the same time quieting a 2000 Robert Morris side which set up shot in proximity to the uprights. That team was being honored at halftime and stayed in hopes of making a difference, but all of that came to an end with that grab.

This was the same Petras who in Duquesne’s season opener against Lincoln had a breakthrough transferring what he did in practice on the field. From there, coach Jerry Schmitt told anyone who would listen that Petras was poised for big things and true to form, he came through in the game’s biggest moment.

It was efforts such as this that explain why days later the NEC named Petras as its offensive rookie of the year.

Three plays later, Duquesne prepared for the field goal.

“Our offense made a drive down the field, proud of them for doing that so we had a shot for a field goal. I want to thank the long snapper here (Tyler Rieger), very trustworthy, I trust this man with everything and my holder (Nate Harper),” Reed remarked. “We just got the job done just trusting ourselves. You know you can do it; you’ve done it in practice, done it in some games and found a way to come here and knock it through.” 

RMU tried to ice Duquesne by calling a timeout, but as Nate Harper remarked minutes after the game, all it did was channel his side’s focus. Now the objective was go win the game, having done this exact kick numerous times in practice on Rooney Field.

Indeed, the kick went through the uprights with Reed running in celebration doing a 67 celebration, to match his jersey number, with several teammates following suit while chasing him down.

“I mean what do you do,” asked Reed. “I was thinking about making the kick but when it goes in, you’ve got to do something. Just took off down the field waiting for my teammates to embrace me, it was a team celebration to end the season, it was a good moment for sure.”

Reed’s kick was the deciding factor as Duquesne emerged victorious 20-17 over Robert Morris this past Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium.

“It’s great to end on a winning note, especially as exciting as this game was,” Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt observed. “For our guys in the end, get a stop, get the ball back, get it down the field to where we could put the ball through, (I) just love seeing the excitement of our guys to end the season.”

There was certainly some a whirlwind of emotions throughout the game and the half hour after this game went final, a period only ending when a band began to practice on the field.

Parents were hugging their kids, and Schmitt had moments with many who understood the finality of their careers coming to an end.

There were laughs, tears and pictures a plenty all while trying to reflect on the ups and downs of a season which had just come to an end.

It was a two-game road losing streak at Wagner and LIU which was Duquesne’s undoing, games Schmitt stated his team was not playing Dukes football. Despite this, he expressed a happiness in getting it back these past two games, finishing Saturday’s effort and doing what was within control.

“It’s very emotional and they’re all out here with their families knowing this was their last game,” explained Schmitt. “I know how that is for a young man, but for the staff and I, coaching these guys for 40-50 games for some, it’s pretty emotional. I’m happy for them, they’ll move on, but it’s been a great ride with all of these guys.”

One of those players was Joey Isabella whose career came to an end. In this game he grabbed his 30th career touchdown, going down in the record books. Isabella was naturally named to the All-NEC First Team and made the All-NEC Second Team PR in addition to being nominated for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the national offensive player of the year in DI FCS football.

It remains to be seen as to whether he can continue this in the NFL. Of course, his brother has been on NFL rosters through the past several years and the work ethic is there where Joey has a chance to stick as well.

“That’s one that I gave him a big hug, and he gave me a hug back because he’s a quiet guy,” Schmitt smiled. “Our interactions are sometimes one or two words, a look and he gets it. That’s a hard one. I’m so proud of him for getting those accolades. He deserves it, competed right down to the end, he helped us get in that field goal range, it’s just who he is. He’s an exciting football player; he’s a great young man from a great family.”

Through it all, Tyler Rieger became emotional. His Duquesne career ended and now his concern was crying in a postgame interview, the finality hitting him hard.

Rieger was selected to play in the FCS Bowl Dec. 14 in Orlando, an endorsement of his accomplishments, but as he put it hours later on social media, his snap, Harper’s hold and Reed’s kick were a perfect way to end his Duquesne career.

While there may not have been much outwardly stated during the timeout prior to Reed’s game winner, Rieger had plenty going on in his mind.

In that minute, he prayed, asking God to provide the strength to make the kick. His prayer was answered and he could not have been more grateful for that.

“We’ve stuck together through everything,” Rieger summarized. “I feel like I’m brothers with everyone on this team. I’m a fifth year, I’m leaving, I’m going to feel horrible leaving these guys. I want to stay another year if I could, I love these boys.”

The last word naturally went to Reed, who won NEC Special Teams Player of the Weeks for his efforts. With his celebration and through it all, his perspective was quite simple.

“That’s what it is, 67 man, right here,” chuckled Reed.

Duquesne All-NEC Award Winners

Ryan Petras- Offensive Rookie of the Year

Caleb Jones- Defensive Rookie of the Year

Joey Isabella- First Team All-Conference, Second Team Punt Returner

Brian Beidatsch Jr- First Team

Cameron McLaurin- First Team

Jack Dunkley- First Team

Kevin Kurzinger- First Team

Antonio Epps- First Team

Tyler Riddell- Second Team

Ness Davis- Second Team

Taj Butts- Second Team

Gary Satterwhite III- Second Team

A.J. Ackerman- Second Team

Tyson Meiguez- Second Team

Avery Morris- Second Team

DJ Cerisier- Second Team