Inside the Dukes: Duquesne's Home Finale Provides Necessary Spark

For the Duquesne Football Team, Saturday afternoon marked a Mike Tomlin moment of sorts, but instead of Ravens week, it was Central Connecticut, an opponent which has consistently battled the Dukes to the very end of games.

In last year’s game, Duquesne was unable to come away with a road victory and that cost it the opportunity to earn the NEC’s automatic berth, a fact that the returners held onto all week long.

This game was personal for them.

One of said returners, Duquesne’s redshirt senior defensive back Antonio Epps, was playing in his final game at Rooney Field.

Following the previous week’s setback at LIU, Duquesne’s second consecutive loss, Epps stayed on the field for a half hour, taking the loss and the fact that the Dukes no longer controlled their own destiny personally.

Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt observed that he was struggling with where the team was at and a gameday conversation was had where the challenge was issued, that it was time to move on from the past and play the last home game as best as possible.

Epps would record a career high 12 tackles, including a game-saving tackle late against CCSU and his interception secured a 38-33 victory over the rival Blue Devils.

The game-saving tackle came with less than two minutes remaining in regulation when Central Connecticut quarterback Brady Olson found Maika Heck. Heck found daylight, but Epps tracked the right leg, stayed on leverage and made a tackle at the Duquesne 25-yardline.

Two days later, Epps would be named the NEC’s Defensive Player of the Week.

“We had a brief conversation about how these last two games he didn’t think I was playing up to what I was capable of,” Epps said. “When he said it, I thought ‘dang,’ but I think I needed that. It was quick but very real and it hit me that I need to play better, especially going into this last game on this field with everything on the line. Those words stuck with me and he reiterated it today on the field coming out of halftime. He said ‘I still think there’s more.’ Those words kept playing in my mind throughout the whole second half.

“That last possession those words stuck. I really wasn’t there at the beginning of the game, had some ma’s (missed assignments). I owed it to my teammates to make a play, it needs to happen. Fortunately, last play that’s what happened, so I’m grateful. The words he gave me weren’t what I wanted to hear at that time, but I think I needed that and am appreciative.”

After the game, the coaches and players alike celebrated together and tried to get other important conference scores. There was a clear excited energy as they waited for Schmitt to finish an ESPN+ interview.

Before the game, Schmitt told his team he had a sense of calm about him because he trusted his Dukes. The love Duquesne has for him is clear. As redshirt senior running back Taj Butts explained it the team got the win for itself but for him as well.

Schmitt made the long jog over to the far end zone, the team waiting with an excited anticipation which only grew as he got closer. Schmitt beamed as he approached the team, his message simple.

After two setbacks, the Dukes were back.

Now it will need to win Saturday afternoon’s tilt at Robert Morris and have CCSU lose to Mercyhurst to win a three-way tiebreaker and the NEC’s automatic bid, but for Duquesne there is still a lot to play for.

“When I came down, they gave me a big cheer and it feels great,” beamed the 21st-year coach. “I’m so happy for them and proud of them and it feels great to be a part of it. (We’ve) got to win and get help but we’re in the conversation. It’ll be a disappointment if we don’t make it but finishing strong is important to our football team.” 

PUT A STICKER ON IT

It has been an up-and-down season for Duquesne’s Taj Butts as he has battled injuries throughout the season, missing the past two games, but early in the week he felt good.

All Butts did was earn Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week honors in addition to the same recognition from the NEC, rushing for a career high 254 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 59-yard rush. In the first half he was averaging 26.3 yards per carry, ultimately settling for 18.1.

“Even though it wasn’t sunny outside today, I felt like it was sunny in my mind, I felt good,” Butts remarked.

Schmitt acknowledged that he was unsure of what to expect from Butts because he was hobbling a bit over the past couple of weeks, but coming into the season as the starter, it was good for him to have a day like this.

Butt’s effort was acknowledged by ESPN’s College Football Final as Joey Galloway recognized his efforts in the weekly helmet sticker segment.

While Butts was recognized on a national stage for his efforts, there were several unsung efforts in the win.

Among those was another redshirt senior in punter Michael Berarducci who was the NEC’s Special Teams Player of the Week after 50.7 yards averaged across six punts. On several occasions, Duquesne was deeper in its own territory and Berarducci’s efforts changed the field, including a career-best 67 yard effort, after which he flexed and celebrated.

Another such effort came from graduate student wide receiver B.J. Alexander. On the very first play he was able to fight for a pass interference which advanced Duquesne well down the field. Alexander also would make several crucial blocks, including one for tight end Noah Canty who recorded his Duquesne best with a 40-yard catch and run down deep in CCSU territory which would convert into a touchdown one play later.

“Those are always the details and that was my motto two weeks ago to take care of those details,” Schmitt remarked. “We added that energy, energy of playing at Rooney. Been here for a lot of games coming down to the wire against good teams and on the sidelines it’s fun to see the Dukes come out on top.”