Missed FG attempt helps Dukes escape
When Duquesne and Saint Francis met last season, it was nothing but embarrassing for the Dukes. The Red Flash won by 37, which was the largest win against Duquesne in program history.
They met again Saturday at Arthur J. Rooney Field, and for a moment it looked like the Dukes had run away with the game in the first half. However, special teams play and execution by Saint Francis in the second half made the game competitive.
Trailing by three, Red Flash kicker Mac Plummer had a chance to tie the game with 10 seconds left missed and Duquesne (4-3, 3-0) escaped with a 38-35 win against the reigning NEC champion to remain undefeated in conference play.
“It’s awesome to win at Rooney especially on homecoming with fans, alumni and a lot of former players, it was great to see,” Dukes coach Jerry Schmitt said. “We talked about playing 60 minutes and we needed every second of it.”
The Dukes are still the only team without a loss in conference play.
“It’s very big only because now we’re going to be the team with the target on our back,” Dukes defensive back Tim Lowery said. “So every week we come out here to play we know that they are going to bring their best.”
The Red Flash (2-5, 2-2) trailed 38-14 in the fourth quarter but scored three consecutive touchdowns to trail by only a field goal. With 57 seconds left, Saint Francis recovered an onside kick.
On the next play, quarterback Cole Doyle escaped the pocket and ran for 11 years was able to get out the pocket to rush for 11 yards but as he gave himself up, he was hit by CJ
Barnes and left the game. Barnes was ejected for targeting giving the Red Flash an extra 15 yards.
Backup quarterback Nick Whitfield rushed to the left and went down in bounds running the clock. Saint Francis decided to try to attempt a field goal but was penalized for delay of game. The Red Flash got back on to the field. Whitfield underthrew Dawson Snyder, which led to the missed field goal.
The Red Flash started its run in the fourth quarter when offensive lineman Mason Imbt took the snap under center at the 1 and pushed himself in for a touchdown to trim the Dukes lead to 38-21. On the ensuing drive the Dukes had a punt blocked and it was picked up Trey McLeer who ran it back 40 yards for a score.
After Duquesne kicker Brian Bruzdewicz missed a 38-yard field goal with 2:33 left, the Red Flash completed four passes to set up Doyle’ 3-yard TD pass to Ivory with 57 seconds left.
“It was a lack of execution,” Schmitt said second half. “I just felt that we weren’t mentally sharp and when you do that you give them an opportunity to get some momentum and get back in the game.”
The Dukes led 10-7 in the middle of the second quarter, but started picking up momentum after quarterback Darius Perrantes connected with DJ Powell and Joey Isabella for touchdown passes of 29 and 69 yards. The Dukes led 31-7 at halftime after Tim Lowery returned a muff punt for a score.
Perrantes finished the afternoon 13 of 24 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns.
“His (Darius) timing has gotten better and better,” Schmitt said. “He’s doing a better job of not taking those risky shots that could lead to interceptions,” Schmitt said.