Dukes win with defense
Blocked punt propels Robert Morris
Duquesne intercepted Sacred Heart quarterback Logan Marchi three times and held the ball for more than 43 minutes in a 20-6 win Saturday in Fairfield, Conn.
Senior defensive back Reid Harrison-Ducros recorded two of the picks, while Dukes running back A.J. Hines chewed up minutes with 142 yards rushing on 29 carries.
Duquesne (4-2, 2-0 Northeast Conference) led, 17-0, at the half on touchdown passes from Daniel Parr to Kellon Taylor and Dontay Mayfield.
The Dukes allowed just 10 first downs and 233 yards of offense. Duquesne and Sacred Heart (3-4, 1-2) were co-champions of the NEC a year ago.
Other games
Robert Morris 21, Wagner 13: Freshman Tiheem Crocker blocked a punt and DeJuan Dandridge pounced on the loose ball, running it 25 yards into the end zone, to put the visiting Colonials (3-4, 2-0 NEC) up, 14-10, in the third quarter. Wagner dropped to 1-6, 1-1.
Bethany 23: Carnegie Mellon 19: The Tartans (5-2, 4-2 Presidents’ Athletic Conference) scored two touchdowns to mount a fourthquarter rally but fell short on the road. Carnegie Mellon turned the ball over four times and allowed nine sacks. Bethany improved to 3-4, 3-3.
Slippery Rock 41, Edinboro 30: Quarterback Roland Rivers III accounted for 415 yards of total offense as No. 9-ranked Slippery Rock (7-0, 4-0, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) overcame a slow start to win on the road. The Rock is off to its best start since 1939.
Washington & Jefferson 28, Geneva 3: Jordan Halford caught 10 passes for 211 yards, and the Presidents (5-2, 4-2 PAC) forced four fumbles, recovering three, to beat the host Golden Tornadoes (3-4, 3-3). Jordan West rushed for two touchdowns.
IUP 59, Clarion 21: The No. 22 Crimson Hawks (6-1, 3-1 PSAC) ran for 370 yards against the host Golden Eagles (3-4, 1-3). Justice Evans ran for 142 yards and Adam Houser for 103. Quinton Maxwell threw for three touchdowns.
California 54, Gannon 14: Sophomore quarterback Noah Mitchell threw four touchdowns and ran for another for the visiting Vulcans (5-2, 3-1 PSAC). Junior wide receiver Tyson Hill, a Valley High School graduate, caught three touchdowns. Gannon dropped to 2-5, 1-3.
Seton Hill 30, Mercyhurst 20: Ryan Barabe threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns for the visiting Griffins (2-4, 2-2 PSAC). Seton Hill scored 20 unanswered points after falling behind, 20-10, with 3:45 left in the second quarter. Mercyhurst dropped to 3-4, 1-3.