The fall in spring
Dukes’ delayed football schedule, shot at conference title end in OT
Football in April is usually reserved for “spring game” exhibitions, but Duquesne and Sacred Heart staged an instant classic in the Northeast Conference championship Sunday at Rooney Field.
With a conference title and a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs on the line, the Pioneers (3-1) exacted revenge for their only loss of the season with a riveting 34-27 overtime win. The No.-25 ranked Dukes (4-1) mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback to send the game to overtime, but a 29yard touchdown pass by Marquez McCray on fourth-and-14 put Sacred Heart on top, and the Pioneers forced and recovered a fumble in the end zone on Duquesne’s ensuing possession to seal the win.
“It’s unfortunate, but we learned a lot from this spring season,” Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt said. “Except for this, everything else about the spring football season turned out positive for us.”
Dukes quarterback Joe Mischler completed 23 of 40 passes for 335 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, but his fumble at the 3 in overtime turned out to be the deciding play in the game.
Julius Chestnut was spectacular for Sacred Heart, breaking several highlight-reel runs en route to 173 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. McCray completed 15 of 23 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, while Naseim Brantley caught six passes for 74 yards and the game-winning score. Brantley also threw a 6-yard touchdown pass on a trick play for the first points of the game.