~~~WELCOME TO THE DUQUESNE DUKES FOOTBALL FORUM~~~
This forum is for discussion of Duquesne Football since other excellent Duquesne Basketball forums exist. (Links below). It is also open to all Duquesne sponsored or club sports. Duquesne sponsors: Baseball, Basketball (M/W), Cross Country (M/W), Football, Golf (M), Soccer (M/W), Swimming (M/W), Tennis (M/W), Track and Field (M/W), Wrestling, LaCrosse (W), Crew (W), Volleyball (W). Club Sports include Ice Hockey and Men's Crew. This is a discussion forum where you are a guest. Treat others as you would like to be treated. No foul language, using another's moniker or personal attacks. Character on the field and on this forum reflects upon Duquesne. Links to this site are encouraged. Feedback is welcome.
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 17, 10:00:57pm
It was a battle of defensive ineptitude, but the Dukes manage to win 45-42 on a last second 31-yard field goal by a substitute kicker, Chuck Leventry. There were so many poor coaching decisions throughout the game, I don't know where to begin.
Late in the 1st half the Dukes were up 21-7, had moved the ball well into Sacred Heart's territory, and had time to run a few plays. The coach decided to have an inexperienced kicker try a 30+ yard field goal only to have it blocked. (Gee when have we seen that happen before.) Sacred Heart then quickly moved the ball down the field, but time ran out on their scoring opportunity. The momentum switch from the blocked field goal carried over into the 2nd half when Sacred Heart came out smoking and tied the game quickly, and I believe went ahead by a TD. The announcers could not believe that the Dukes would have tried that relatively long field goal by an inexperienced kicker in a heavy rain.
I'm glad we won, but the game did not need to be that close. I've come to the conclusion, like many other posters, that a coaching change is definitely indicated. However, I don't believe the AD will fire Schmitt after this season. In a conversation I had with the AD following the Tip-Off Lunch, he brought up the number of injuries that had plagued the Dukes and the several 7-pt. losses as reasons for the poor record and indications of near-success. While it would be appropriate for him to tell me that Schmitt was to be removed, I got the feeling that Schmitt will be around next year.
Date Posted:Saturday, November 14, 03:56:08pm
We've lost so many of these that I was in shock that the kick actually went in between the uprights. Alex's call made it sound like he missed at first.
It never should have been that close, but it does feel better to win. Kudos to Conner for the pressure grab and getting out of bounds to set up the field goal.
Date Posted:Saturday, November 14, 10:42:05pm
We finally won a close game. How about McCoy???!!!! what a game!!! Finally figured how to use all three QB's. Started Rombach and he carved them up, used Patterson in Red Zone and had success while getting experience, dixon made huge plays at WR. Sure there was many debatable decisions but we got the W and took a step forward with a conference win on the road.
Date Posted:Saturday, November 14, 10:30:39pm
Correction to my comment: While it would be inappropriate for him to tell me that Schmitt was to be removed, I got the feeling that Schmitt will be around next year.
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 17, 09:52:11am
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Date Posted:Tuesday, November 17, 08:45:08am
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Date Posted:Monday, November 16, 12:39:23pm
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Date Posted:Saturday, November 14, 11:14:01am
Do you believe the Robert Morris v Albany result? I am suprised no one mentioned it. And AT Albany!!! After what they did to the Dukes and how we dominated RMU here (despite a late let down), I was stunned. Stopped their running game and played solid. You gotta give Joe some credit.
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 10, 11:25:04pm
Goes to show that attitude is everything! The Dukes have the talent but not the belief in themselves of their system.
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 10, 08:38:39pm
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Date Posted:Tuesday, November 10, 03:24:20pm
Coffee---you have been earily silent but more importantly we seem to have been infiltrated by the enemy. Any relief?
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 10, 08:38:39pm
I was out of town for a while- I'm an instructor with the Coast Guard and took a few days with family. I also need to find the password to delete these spam posts.
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 10, 09:25:29am
We need a fresh start next year. Get rid of the whole coaching staff including Rosato and start over. Fresh faces, fresh ideas and new leadership. This program has stalled and stagnated. And forget the stadium improvements, with just 527 people bothering to watch the game we could play at Plum Little League Stadium and still have room for more. It's shocking how far we have sunk and a little piece of me is doubting the very existence of this program in the future.
[> Subject: This season has been really tough to take, and I have been a strong supporter of the coach and his staff. We've had two coaches here (McCann and Gatusso) who have proven you can win here. I'd like to see this program move forward.
Date Posted:Sunday, November 01, 08:55:58am
Again, another sad day for the Dukes. But given the loss of Moore, Williams and Bunevich the switch for Connor Dixon seems to be helpful. He poses a serious threat at reciever.
Atleast this loss wasn't a full out blood bath. The blocking on the 2nd overtime was horrendous. How many times was Kevin sacked???
I still think we have a good chance in the next 2 games for a win.
Date Posted:Sunday, November 01, 09:26:26am
I think if anyone in the admin is seriously thinking about getting rid of football then yesterday was a perfect game to look around a pathetic crowd in a pathetic stadium and say "Is it really worth the money?" The obvious answer is no. By the way I would love to see Coach Rosato's daily itinerary to see how he can justify his 6 figure salary.
Date Posted:Sunday, November 01, 12:20:07pm
There are young men who made a commitment to Duquesne over other scholarship offers so I hope you aren't serious when you suggest they should get rid of football. I would suggest a coaching change, and a fresh marketing strategy as a first step instead of eliminating the entire program. I'm not sure if you are a "fan", but if so, maybe it is time for you to move on instead.
There is no doubt that the program needs to be improved, but there are other factors that have contributed to the way this season has gone, poor coaching decisions and A LOT of INJURIES are the top two reasons in my opinion!
Date Posted:Sunday, November 08, 04:46:21pm
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Date Posted:Saturday, November 07, 06:16:51pm
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Date Posted:Saturday, November 07, 01:37:09pm
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Date Posted:Saturday, November 07, 08:58:54am
Why do we run the ball on 3rd and +10s?
Why can't we find a steady QB?
Why do we kick a FG when you have a 6'5 WR??
we did not even take one shot to the endzone.
Why don't your two best defesive payers behind Totino play much? (Scruggs & Rhoades)
Why do our dbacks get beat every game?
This is starting to get me sick to watch. Are these coaches really trying to lose?
Schmitt and the WHOLE staff needs to go.
Date Posted:Sunday, November 01, 02:22:19pm
The sad part about all of this CCSU beats Albany and we had CCSU beat. We have the players and they are young. I would put Dixon,Moore,Williams,Bunevich,Patterson,Mccoy against anyone next year at the skilled positions and we would have an advantage. Not to mention the young D......we have the players.
Date Posted:Sunday, November 01, 04:05:47pm
I agree these boys are so much more talented than their record indicates. They deserve so much more in the way of coaching and development not to mention fan support. Coaches are supposed to inspire and motivate. Doesn't seem to be a lot of that going on here.
Date Posted:Sunday, November 01, 07:33:39pm
I agree. The Dukes cannot reach their full potential with the coaching staff they have... the AD's really need to do something about it. The talent Duquesne has is uncanny; much more than that of any team possibly in the NEC. However, they will never shine with Schmitt and those coaches. It’s becoming ridiculous now. Schmitt needs to resign or get fired. Plain and simple. I really hope he reads this Forum.
Date Posted:Saturday, November 07, 08:57:43am
I don't think its too early to look at the situation that is staring Schmitt in the face for next year. What to do with Dixon?
With Bunevich, Williams and Moore back in the fold it would seem that the Dukes are set at wideout along with Spragg, Cangilla and Roorback. And although it would be nice to have Dixon with his speed and size spreading the field, my gut feeling is that he'll be back under center.
I thought Sean Patterson did OK but sometimes he'd get lost under the extreme pressure our QBs saw this year and being only 6'1" hurts. The St. Francis game made that brutally obvious.
Date Posted:Monday, November 02, 02:59:39pm
TS-Whatever the decision......make it and stick to it. Rombach,Dixon,Patterson stood no chance with the yo yo approach. poor Kevin last game......everyone in the house knows he is passing......no shotgun 3 straight sacks. Sprague dropped way too many balls this year but it may have to do with no consistency in the offense. One game shot gun the next, no passing etc. etc.
Date Posted:Monday, November 02, 07:50:24pm
Tom----Moore should move back to defense. It was criminal to move the only DB who had speed to reciever and leave th e defense without a true cover guy. Williams can spread the field and RECRUIT! another speedy reciever--they are out there. I repeat that I think Dixon would be nuts to voluntarily return to QB. Scmitt and Loebig's approach is destructive to the development of a QB. He has missed half this year already. You cannot attempt to rebuild and develolp your existing starter at the same time. You cannot apease a 5th year senior, build confidence in the starter and promote the eager youngster at the same time. And finally, you cannot influence and antagonize simultaneously. I have seen Scmitt get right in the face of all three QB's as they are coming off the field and not just once or twice. The expectations are too high for him and the tool shed too bare. Run the ball and let Patterso throw the ball 10-15 times a game and let Dixon run under them and maybe return punts or kicks. Hell, I would rather see the kid play safety than have to face the inevitable next year.
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 03, 04:22:08pm
Conner may have the best talent set available... At least we will have the choice down to 2 with Kevin graduating!
Date Posted:Tuesday, November 03, 08:45:17pm
Great Post!
I've never seen more talented kids without a set position as I have this year on this team. Dixon goes from QB to WR, Moore goes from DB to WR, Scruggs goes fro DE to LB and back to DE, and the list goes on and on.
Date Posted:Friday, November 06, 07:13:27am
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Date Posted:Tuesday, November 03, 03:38:38am
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Date Posted:Saturday, October 31, 03:35:35pm
With the recievers we started out with this year and with the three quarterback we have, there should be a strong passing game. This is a given. Witht McCoy, Bai and Williams (in that order) we also have talent at running back.
These are young players though. They need a position coach that is more than just barely experienced than they are to direct and help them develop.
My buggest complaint is Coach Schmidt handing all this young talent to a coach almost as young as they are. Neil was a great quarterback, but had NO experience as a coach to direct the passing game. Dave Loya has proven he can direct a passing game and HAS proven to be a successfull coach of QB (and of Loebig himself!).
Why not make the change. There is no excuse for the lack of development of all of this talent!!!!
Date Posted:Thursday, October 29, 05:51:08pm
Coffee- The passing game is STILL 2nd in the conference with all of the depleted WR,TE. We have started 3 different QB in 8 weeks. Who knows what they do this week?? An impossible position to play when your on a short leash. I commend all 3 because everything I have seen and read THEY support each other.
Date Posted:Thursday, October 29, 09:13:01pm
Shoey,
Thats my point- Lots of talent, few victories to show that the tools are being put to good use. They may be second in yardage, but they have lost too many close games due to lack of focus and inability to avoid mistakes that give the game away.
Date Posted:Friday, October 30, 12:16:36am
Agreed-Impossible to have consistency and commitment........when things are inconsistent and no commitment. Repetition makes perfect.......there is no way any of the three can feel comfortable. Dixon probably is best off at WR right now.
Date Posted:Friday, October 30, 09:29:45pm
Why should he even want to play QB here? Why should he waste his senior year being yanked every time he makes a mistake, playing half the game and being confronted by an angry Shmitt every time he walks off the field. If they lose and they will lose if they play defense and special teams like this year, Scmitt will "rebuild"----his perpetual rebuilding process bides him more time with the AD--- Scmitt will bench Dixon for Patterson. Not one QB since they have been here has passed muster with Shmitt and Loebig. Knapp, Rombach and now Dixon Loebig himslef was once kept in a game when he threw 5 picks yet he yanks a kid from a game without a thought--he is never satisfied and has lost the trust of his players. Dixon obvioulsy wants to play QB. The last game he played he threw 67% and threw a touchdown against a team that had not given up a TD in 4 games at home. And now he is a wide reciever. He gets punished for being a good athlete. Next year when Loebig gets done with Patterson, his confidence will be shot and who will get the ball to Dixon?--either way he is screwed. He is destined for oblivion under this staff. I always felt bad for Rombach but i never felt sorry for him. He upseated Knapp so he should not be suprised if it happens to him and now it happens to Dixon. When does it stop?
Date Posted:Saturday, October 31, 10:10:51am
I give Dixon all the credit in the world. He obviously is a team player. Anyone who has attended the games can attest that he is the better QB. Not to take anything away from Kevin or Sean, they have their own strengths to be sure, but Connor even with the bad wing directs the offense with confidence.
The kid has off season surgery which is still bothering him but comes in to the Bucknell game and pulls out the win. Endures cortisone shots but nearly pulls out the Nichols State game. Tears up RMU and then sustains a concussion at Albany. And now is our go-to reciever. I would say that he is showing alot of heart despite the merry-go-round that is Duquesne Football.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 31, 03:35:35pm
It may be a blessing in disguise......he has a shot to be a WR at the next level not QB. Connor made some great plays today, unfortunately we let this one slip away.......again.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 31, 09:29:02am
To get to some good news- The Duquesne Hall of Fame Inductions will be observed at today's game at Wagner (The Dukes should win this one if they can shake off last week's cob webs).
New HOFer Leigh Bodden continues to play very well and start for the New England Patriots. He is among the team leaders in tackles, PD's and of course interceptions.
I've never been able to cheer for the Pats until Bodden went there from the hapless Lions. Just to show how hopeless the Lions were, they cut Bodden who turned around and landed the starting job at New England!
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 27, 09:50:07pm
I think what most of us who have raised the issue in the past about the stadium, is that it isn't built to attract fans. It has limited seating and doesn't give you the feel of a real collegiate football game. I know we seldom draw more than a thousand for a game, but we never will unless you create the atmosphere. This includes the stadium, band, tailgate area, parking attendant after the game, etc.
I'm not about to blame all of the Dukes problems on the coach. There are many things that have to be in line to show committment to a program that the basketball side learned after three decades of mediocrity.
If we want to play FCS football at a competative level and offer scholarships, we have to offer more than the smallest field in the Conference (And perhaps the entire FCS) and all the other things that will attract the student atheletes and the fans that come with a winning program and an atmosphere that will support folks coming back. I've brought friends to games and it is not easy to get them coming back if they aren't alums.
We don't need Beaver Stadium, but we need the minimum committment to be successful. Don't make the committment to the fans, players and alums to offer FCS scholarship if you don't want to have a winning program. How hard would it have been to extend the bleachers up another nine rows and to put some sort of seating on the other side and in the West End Zone?
I hate to say it, since we have so much potential to add just a bit more to do this right, if we can't make the committment, downsize to D-II or D-III so we can play CMU and some other area teams like W & J etc.
Date Posted:Thursday, October 22, 12:51:17pm
To be fair to the present staff, I would agree that the problem is more with the program committment than the coach. I also agree with the rest of the post- RIGHT ON TARGET HERE!
Date Posted:Friday, October 23, 05:29:49pm
Coach Schmidt is a good coach working with a half hearded committment. He can recruit. He does need to get his team to believe in itself.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 25, 09:21:17am
The half hearted committment is from Schmidt who can't make up his mind what he wants to do or who to do it with. In his years here he has never had a team behind him beucase he cannot not interact wiht these young men. Several of the team said last night they are tired of the experimenting. I agree there is no committment from the univristy for this program and it shows in the coaching from top to bottom. 3rd and 18 run draw up the middle, 4th and long another running play and them when we need the run for balance we pass and make it easy for the defense.
Date Posted:Monday, October 26, 12:23:23am
As someone who doesn't regularly follow the football team, please take my opinion with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, to those complaining about the stadium, wouldn't it make more sense to make the official stadium for the Dukes in the South Side football arena? I think of it like this.
1. Rooney field would be used as the practice field with the new lockers and would be the official home to other sports. Soccer and Lacrosse could enjoy the small intimacy that the field affords. The new expansion could be completed and the coaches and staff could use the field accordingly.
2. The Dukes would then play their football games at the SS arena (named George K. Cupples Stadium). The University would pay a fee to put some banners around the field and make it the official field. The stadium seats around 5000 and has a much more "Game day" feel to it than Rooney if you ask me. When I drive by at night I love the view you can see when going up to McCardle and people tend to line the streets to watch. Plus, the SouthSide just seems like a much better place to drink and party before the game. I know attracting students would be tough, but you could arrange groups to walk down the south side steps. The only problem I see if parking, but I doubt the situation at Duquesne is much better. I know some of the alumni remember it sucking, but really, don't you think the potential of the program is greater if that stadium were used?
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 27, 12:49:12pm
With all due respect to Simms, you can not play at Cupples stadium. They did that for years to small gatherings of friends and family and no student support at all.
However, poor the atmosphere is, it would be much worse at Cupples Stadium.
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 27, 09:50:07pm
Would like to think a I-AA coaching staff knows what it is doing, but running no-huddle hurry-up offense when up by a ton against RM in 3Q, then having to make a drive late in game to secure a win is ALL about the coaches not having a clue - they run their "offense" whether up by 28 or down by 45. Then when down by 24-0 at SF, we finally score with almost 10 minutes left - so the coaches go for 1 - and need a to WASTE a time out to do the most obvious thing which is go for 2 and only need two more scores. What were they thinking about!! SF is pounding the ball mercilessly on the ground with a seven man O-line, two backs in the backfield, and ONLY ONE wideout, and we are still playing the entire second half with 4 D-backs 10-15 yards off the line of scrimmage. And not once did that change. But no one in the administration seems to care - otherwise this just would not be tolerated. Only need a to worry about more seating and a bigger stadium if you start winning at this level. Talent is there - just being mis-managed, under utilized, player strengths ignored. And now losing begets more losing and a good team that could have easily competed for top spot in NEC quickly becomes a very bad team.
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 27, 11:55:36am
He is not a good coach. He is a nice guy who is an average coach at best. The former coach had less to work with and he won. It is not due to a lack of commitment.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 25, 08:17:07pm
I just hope that the coaches might glance at this- cause I just want them to know that we feel their pain. It HAS to get better how could it possibly get worse? Please don't GIVE UP ON THIS TEAM!
We DO have talent. We DO have some loyal fans that cheer for those boys. There are many of us that believe that we CAN and WILL get beyond this. God Bless them all.
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 27, 12:46:47pm
Division I schools can not downsize and play football at the Division II or III level. It is simply not allowed. The lowest level we can play at is the Football Championship Division, formerly know as Division 1-AA.
You have to pick a division and stick with it. You can't say we will be D-1 in this sport and D-2 in this sport.
The only exceptions to this rule are hockey and wrestling. And D-2 and D-3 schools can "play-up" to Division I. However, D-1 schools can not move down. There is only one NCAA hockey championship I believe. I believe there are three wrestling classes.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 25, 01:01:10am
I made the trip up to Loretto today fully expecting the Dukes to right the ship against SFU, gain some confidence back, in the hope of ending the season with a flurry. Now I'm just looking forward to ending the season. I'm still wondering what team I saw tonight.
Our rushing game which had been averaging 150+ yards per game goes 23 yrds on 16 att. and this against the worst defense against the rush in the NEC.
Our defense gives up 409 yrds on the ground to a team that has averaged 80 a game.
Our starting tight end from a week ago started at DE and our best QB, coming off a concussion is now our go-to reciever???
We snapped the ball over our punter's head to begin the game, missed a 20 yrd field goal, allowed a 65 yrd run to open the second half, missed a 33 yrd field goal, gave up a 60 yrd TD run, kicked a 28 yrd punt, had a roughing the kicker call on 4th and 6 and an unsportsmanlike conduct call which put the ball on our 1 yrd line.
Do you see the trend here friends???? This team has thrown in the towel. They have given up on themselves and their teammates, but most of all, they have quit believing in their coaches. You can see it on the sidelines. And who can blame them??? There is no consistancy on this team. These kids not only don't know if they're going to play....they don't even know what position they'll be asked to fill. It would be laughable if it didn't pain me so much.
Oh...by the way...Degol Field is very nice. They even set off fireworks after every score. Unfortunately they ran out of them in the third quarter.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 25, 12:40:44am
There come a time when a fan starts looking to next year (or the basketball season). I don't think I want to see, listen to or hear of another Dukes' Football game this year.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 24, 09:58:20pm
SF averages 65 yards rushing per game..........today 53/409. We make alot of running backs look real fast.....no speed on D.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 25, 12:40:44am
I was only able to listen to the radio broadcast of the game to hear the final score. I guess I couldn't believe it. What's happened to the Dukes? At this rate we will be lucky to win one more game. The team's deterioration over the course of this season has been a cause of frustration, disappointment, and anger to many of us. Hopefully the Athletic Director feels the same emotions as we do and is prepared to take the appropriate actions. Even so I'll be there to root the Dukes on against Wagner next Saturday.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 24, 11:49:23am
Well the Dukes will have their hands full this afternoon with the Blue Devils. Cen. Conn. State is ranked #150 (tops in the NEC) in Sagarin's rankings while the Dukes are at #226. Using Sagarin's predictor scores, the Dukes are a 16 point underdog. Based on their performance so far, the Blue Devils appear to be headed for a NEC showdown with Albany when they play on October 31.
I'm not sure if the Dukes can play as poorly again as they did against Albany. Let's hope the coaches can get the team's confidence back. All that being said, the Blue Devils have a very good running game and have a very impressive 4-1 record. The Dukes still have several players out with injuries which will hurt. I see the Dukes playing a respectable game in front of the home crowd but still coming up short 31-24.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 17, 03:04:11pm
I am soooo tired of losing close games due to mistakes this year. The blocked punt gave Central Connecticut the winning score. What happened to the freshman we had punting last year? He had a nice leg and got the ball off in half the time.
The Dukes played well against a tough team.
Who is our quarterback? It can not be good for a quarterback's confidence to not know if the coach believes in him to win. Rombach and Dixon may suffer from the Scott Knapp Syndrome- Lots of talent, but does the coach believe in me?
I also have no idea why the Dukes didn't go for the touchdown late in the game with only an inch to go for first and goal. Its much easier to defend against an opponant that needs a touchdown than one that needs just a field goal at the end of the game. They could have gone for 2 to know for sure what they needed to do to win.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 17, 06:02:09pm
Coffee, Connor Dixon suffered a concussion at the end of the Albany game and failed the test they give on Wednesday. I too was livid when I didn't see him in there so I asked around. Why Kevin didn't start is a mystery and no one is saying. Sean is a capable QB but needs to develop his arm strength and accuracy. Now for the distasteful part...
I think it might be time to consider a coaching change. This team is certainly talented enough as we have seen. 1.They have gone out in 5 of their six game to leads in the first half only to see adjustments made by our opponents who ended up roaring back to take leads and win games. Another 10 minutes and we would have lost to RMU too. Obviously, our staff can't do that.
2. Play calling again! You are absolutely correct when you said to go for it on 4th and inches today. Don't think for a minute that these kids don't believe that the coach has faith in them. Same thing last week when we kick a field goal down by 40 points! I also loved the QB draw play with time running down and no timeouts left. Stupid!
3. Time management....This staff doesn't have a clue how to manage the game. Sean is in there today, calls a play and looks to the sidelines for the inevitable change. Pathetic...it looked like Pop Warner ball out there.
We have been in every ballgame but one this year with a GOOD chance to win them. It's not the players gang, we have the talent...its the coaching or the lack thereof.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 17, 09:18:27pm
Coffee,
I am also so tired of the NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE at the games.They players sense the lack of interest and enthusiasm regarding the program. They ARE trying and they DID do better this week. Where is the student body? I was in the university bookstore today and they weren't even broadcasting the game. We were winning( half time) against a dominant team and NO ONE cared.
Many of our boys have been playing with injuries and sustaining other painful and serious injuries- yet where is it getting them? More negativity. More criticism. This is NOT a good way to BUILD a winning program.
The coaches don't seem unified.They need some lessons on providing inspiration and leadership. So much confusion today that we had to use 2 time outs in the first series!???
Date Posted:Saturday, October 24, 11:49:23am
I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and remember that this is just the 2nd season in the NEC and providing athletic scholarships. With exception of the Albany, the Dukes have been in every game. They should have won most of the games they lost, and I do believe that the coaching can be questionable a lot of the time and I wouldn't be sad if there was a change there. There are some really good athletes on this team and in the next few seasons I think the cream will rise to the top and the Dukes will compete for the conference championship as long as the coaches can handle what they have. The players, no matter how talented, need to know their coaches believe in them. I watched the body language in the players during the last game and you could see the frustration when the coach didn't trust them to make a first down.
I do agree about the atmosphere at home games, it could be improved drastically! In the end, we all need to support the team through thick and thin! Go Dukes!
Date Posted:Wednesday, October 21, 05:22:43pm
TS-Usually you are right on but this game can be blamed on the lack of speed at CB. The offense like it or not played well with no turnovers and provided a 21-10 lead with 9:00 against a good team. The offense with a red shirt freshman qb Patterson, no Moore, Bunevich, Lahue, or Williams scored 24 and missed a FG along with the infamous 4th and 1 decision. The offense easily could of put up 31 with No turnovers and a balanced attack. The problem is no speed on the defensive side CB. Plain and simple once in the secondary vs Duquesne.........TD.
Date Posted:Thursday, October 22, 08:59:53pm
I watched the same game and although the secondary was not good much of the time, there were other holes in the defense that allowed the ball to advance that far in the first place. Some questionable play calling by the coaches on offense didn't help either. They were SO SLOW getting the calls in too. Mistakes or lack of speed by the secondary is easy to see during a game since they are so exposed, but don't ignore the other parts of the problem just because they aren't as obvious.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 18, 09:08:38pm
I am still hopeful that our team can pull off several more wins this season. We have been very close in many of them- and if our injuries get better, we should be able to win the next couple. I just wish that those of us that care bring much needed POSITIVE energy and cheer for those boys who are working so hard. It CAN improve.
Date Posted:Monday, October 19, 12:50:49pm
Although I made my entry (Prediction) on the Football Forum on Saturday, October 17th around 11:15 AM (prior to the start of the game), I noticed that the posting time is listed as 9:38 PM on Sunday, October 18th. Unfortunately the erroneous posting time undercuts my prognosticative talents in picking the exact score of the game.
On a more serious topic, I am genuinely displeased with the results of that game and several others during the season and agree with many of you that coaching changes must be considered by Greg Amodio. I spoke with the father of one of the players (a senior OL) and he believes that Coach Schmitt lacked the leadership to manage this team. He also expressed displeasure in the over-reliance on former Duquesne players to serve as assistant coaches. This may limit the opportunity for a fresh coaching viewpoint from the ingrained "ol' Duquesne" way of doing things.
Jerry Schmitt was hired in March 2005. I was unable to uncover any mention of the term of his original contract nor do I recall any public announcement of an extension of that contract. My guess is that the term should be drawing towards its end. If this football program is to improve, the AD has to evaluate if the painful losses of the past 2 1/2 seasons will be eliminated or reduced when the current crop of scholarship freshman & sophomores will be stepping up to take starting roles. Or will the AD's conclusion be that even with scholarship talent Schmitt will continue to be unable to get the Dukes back on its winning ways.
Date Posted:Friday, October 23, 11:57:10am
The coaching here is inadequate. You are going into a game with a top ranked conference opponent and you decide to start an inexperenced QB insteand of using an experienced guy to replace Connor who was hurt. Sean did an admirable job for his first start but why not go with the experienced hand and give the offense a sense of consistency. This guy (Schmidt) has no rlationship with this team and very little interaction during the game to help encourage them on. It came to light on the fourth down call when he did not even have faith in his line which did pretty well duirng the game to go for the first down.
Date Posted:Monday, October 19, 09:58:51pm
Anyone who has been around Duquese for the past years can see, Schmitt must go. Terriable coach. period. How do you no go on 4th and an inch? no trust. bottom line to end this attitude to ths program, SCHMITT MUST GO!!
Date Posted:Sunday, October 18, 12:16:05am
The answer here goes well beyond the coach. We are simply trying to compete at a FCS level, but providing a low D-III committment.
~Nobody is going to get excited to go to a game that is played at a stadium a third the size of their high school field. Add more rows on both sides of the field and in the west endzone to make it a horseshoe. A big scoreboard on top of the pool building would complete an intimate and fun atmosphere. I felt sick when I saw the plans and it I were a kid looking to play somewhere exciting, it would not be here.
~Football in the 'Burgh means tailgating. The picnic area is nice, but is is 3x the cost of a ticket. Bluff street would be perfect. Pipe in the game broadcast and a real band. Robert Morris tailgate area is a good example.
~College football means a real marching band and halftime show. The administration will not even let the all VOLUNTEER, student run band play at the half. The band brings students too. Said it before- a guy throwing a frisbee to his dog is kind of a pathetic half time show.
~Recruit to fill holes. We have three great quarterbacks fighting for playing time and comfortability to be the team leader and a punter and place kicker that have cost us games by muffed kicks and poor field position. We also have a ton of running backs who are pretty decent, but an undersized line to open holes for them.
~Schedule up to a local bigger time school like Youngstown State.
~Do the little things like putting a second guy in the parking garage so that people aren't stacked up so long.
It really would not make too much more to do it right. This program is at a crossroads. We are not committing to following the example of teams like Albany.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 18, 12:19:51am
My friends, all of this is reasonable and pushed week after week. They did get a radio contract, built a tiny stadium, but not much more. They just don't listen and the administration will reap what little it sows. (Unfortunately for those of us who have a bit of a higher vision of what could and should be.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 18, 11:40:13am
Instead of blogging in the voy forum, maybe there should be a petition or something to go around to get some action and attention to the issues here. I am not sure but does the Dukes administration even read this forum. Maybe more complaining directly to them would help get some issues resolved.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 18, 12:18:10pm
Does the Administration really work for DUQUESNE? I'm confused...since so few of their decisions have actually benefited the university.?
Date Posted:Monday, October 19, 09:05:29pm
Why do you need a bigger stadium when the crowd on Saturday was 500? Totally agree on the tailgate area though. Jeez, I remember back in 2005 when we played at La Salle, the Lehigh Valley people organized a tailgate and there were more than 500 Duquesne fans at that game which was a 5 hour drive from The Burgh. What the heck happened in 4 years?
Date Posted:Monday, October 19, 09:58:51pm
I fear that football may be on the way out. They built a nice soccer/lacrosse field for an A-10 school. And that looks like what the future will bring.
I fear they are doing just enough to pull the plug and say there was no support for the program.
Ask the AD any of Coffee's questions in the "Ask the AD" segment on the DU website. I predict none of those would be answered.
Date Posted:Friday, October 16, 10:12:15pm
Albany is doing all of the things I would hope that the Dukes would do to bring their program to FCS excellence. Ironically, its the same recipe the Dukes used to go from a Club team to D-III to D-1-AA. They scheduled up, moved to a scholarship conference, they started building a collegiate atmosphere with an new field, press box and worked with a band. Then, all of a sudden the Dukes took back to a D-III feeling. No band, a short sighted expansion of the field, a tiny "pep" band that can't be heard, no "real" tailgate area (The Straub area is nice, but not a tailgate area).
Football recruits see this and it affects their decisions to come here. It all has to come together. I don't blame Albany for not wanting to stay in this conference and go to the CAA. Duquesne has the smallest field, no band, no tailgate area to lure a crowd, and no longer reaches as dramatically above their conference. And when they do shedule Delaware, they will not have as much of a chance to compete evenly due to this minor league attitude. NAIA and high school teams have a better band, stadium, tailgate, and press box. A guy trowing a frisbee to his dog is not a half time show.
After last year's game the Dane's fans thought that the Dukes would help the NEC's image, but If Albany leaves, it will be due, in part, to Duquesne short sighted imagination to build a REAL FCS team and atmosphere that goes with it.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 11:08:45am
Coffee...A Very Fine Post. Everything you mentioned is absolutely true. I would like to add that it is unfortunate that the AD doesn't see the incredible opportunity that they have at this time. Everything is in place to make DU a viable FCS program if they would only take a few more steps forward.
We are part of a great football market, WPIAL players are among the best in the country, we have the scholarships to offer. Why then are so many of these kids going to other schools? Dayton, Monmouth, Albany and the list goes on, have some of the best WPIAL athletes.
Its obvious to the fans who go to the DU games. We are part of a second-rate program in regard to atmosphere. The stadium absolutely needs expanded, the band needs to be present and we need to advertise the product.
We are so close with this group of players that NOW is the time to act. What are they afraid of????
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 03:08:02pm
It is an excellent post. I can only assume that money is the issue.
Lets face it. Basketball only averaged about 3,000 a game. That is not enough revenue to spread around to the other sports. And I think we don't get anywhere near the funding that even RMC gets. They average way less than DU in BB, their main revenue sport.
There are many issues where we have been preached patience. The lack of a quality broadcasts and internet coverage, the woeful band, the lack of support at the BB A-10 tournament from the school and the "renovation" of Rooney Field.
I honestly don't know what the answer is. Perhaps the answer is finally dropping sports. Women's volleyball has produced nothing. Men's wrestling barely gets coverage on the DU website. I have nothing against the fine men and women who play these sports but can we afford them?
After the RMU game, I e-mailed the Dean of Music school over the woeful band. No response at all. No matter what the lip service from the school administration, there is still a severe lack of administration support for the Athletic Department. The band has always been a sore spot. Just watching that director who conducts them like a string quartet gets my blood boiling.
I really don't think that GA gets the support from the Dr. D. and the school as we are lead to believe. We certainly do not get it monetarily. How else would you explain the same complaints year after year?
If we cant even get support for a band, you can imagine the shoestring budgets the football programs and other sports are working with.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 04:16:00pm
Well Duke fans, I know this was a tough one. Like the anouncers said it was like running into a chain saw. Injuries, mistakes and poor play calling all contributed.
But have heart, we ARE still a young and building team. Some of our new guys did really well and we DO have lots of potential. Next year will be a much better year. Not that I'm giving up on this year. I think we still have a great chance at winning a few more this year...for sure....But I'm putting my money on next year for our Dukes.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 04:33:29pm
Interestingly there has been a lengthy discussion on the A-10 Basketball Forum about the possibility of the A-10 re-establishing its football conference (at least in the mind of the posters). Click here. Some have even suggested that it might be a FBS Conference. I find this talk to be quite speculative and not realistic in light of the overall cost by both the individual colleges and the A-10 in upgrading to a FBS conference.
Should the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) lose a football team member leaving an opening for Albany to join, I don't believe that such a defection from the NEC could occur any earlier than the 2011-2012 season. At worst that will leave the NEC intact for the short term. I note during this season that the NEC, even with Albany as its premier member, is ranked at the bottom of all football conferences by Real Time RPI (26th out of 27). The NEC just hasn't done well against its non-conference opponents. Beating non-conference opponents is far more important to improving the NEC's stature than expanding the seating capacity of Rooney Field and re-establishing the marching band. While I agree that Duquesne will need to address these issues, I believe that they would contribute only minimally to Albany's possible defection to a better conference.
Albany has a very good football program, far more financial resources, and much better facilities than most of the other NEC members so it's only logical that it might leave for what they believe are the "greener pastures" of the CAA. On the other hand, Albany's consideration of defection to the CAA might be more wishful thinking of loyal Great Dane fans and alumni than the official position of the university.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 04:57:44pm
I would agree that Duquesne's commitment or lack there of to football will have little to do with Albany's hope to move to the CAA.
I am more concerned with Duquesne's commitment to its own programs. I still don't believe we get the support from the President and the administation that other A-10 schools do for the majority of our sports. Or comparable with the NEC football schools.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 06:07:40pm
The big problem is that the A-10 has potentially 3 different levels of football programs.
Low 1-A (BCS) Temple
High I-AA (FCS) UMass, RI, Richmond
Lower 1-AA (FCS) Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham,
Charlotte could go anywhere. New Hampshire, Villanova, Albany, Delaware, Maine, etc. are potentials.
Maybe I'm down because of the carnage at Albany, but I'm not sure if Duquesne has the comittment to play up to the level of the others, but I think Dayton and Fordham could.
Date Posted:Friday, October 16, 03:06:28pm
Some things never change. In the mid-1960's a Pittsburgh Press columnist wrote that Duquesne wanted to have a "champagne basketball program on a beer budget." In retrospect, the University got what it paid for.
Date Posted:Friday, October 16, 10:12:15pm
This statement has to do with this weeks game against Central Connecticut. The team left on Thursday night at 10:00p.m. Smart move on their part and they have an extra day to recupe from the drive. Unlike the 11.5 hour bus drive our kids had to suffer through last week.
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 13, 05:28:16pm
Its hard to take any positives from this game but I'm going to try. Albany is certainly the class of the NEC and should win the conference crown going away but our young Dukes, consistantly were able to move the ball, primarily through the air until we shot ourselves in the foot over and over again.
In defense of Connor Dixon, 21-30 isn't bad and as the Albany broadcasters said, he threw alot of nice balls that were simply dropped and the pic was a Hail Mary into a 35 mph wind. That said however, two fumbles are two too many.
Our injured and depleted reciever corp showed flashes of brilliance but dropped way to many tosses.
Our running game proved to be pathetic but give Albany credit. They did their homework. After watching the RMU tapes, they decided to bring their strong safety up, put eight in the box and take away our running attack.
It is here where our coaches, in my opinion, dropped the ball. They refused to adjust.
Over and over again, (I went back and looked at the play by play summary to be sure), we tried to run on first down. I think it was something like 15 of 18 possessions. This put us in an obvious passing situation, usually 2nd and 8 or 9. I'm not claiming to be Vince Lombardi but a blind man could see that if we throw on first down, maybe it keeps the DBs honest and opens up the running game a bit.
And what was the idea of kicking a field goal down 48-7. Talk about sending a message to your team???? Poor coaching all the way around.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 11, 02:11:57pm
Tom,
You and I are thinking the same thing. See the link to my Duquesne blog at http://duquesnesports.blogspot.com/ .
I did see many of the same positives. I didn't mention the coaching specifically, but they are responsible for creating the focus and eliminating the mistakes.
Date Posted:Sunday, October 11, 02:47:52pm
I thought your post was very accurate Coffee. I'm not trying to start a coaching controversy or anything, on the contrary, I think that the staff has done a fair job this year. However, we don't ever seem to adjust the way winning teams need to. They draw up a game plan and by God they are going to stick to it.
Yesterday, offensively, we needed to spread the field with first down passes and take what the defense was giving us. Instead we ran at their strength and put ourselves in 3rd and long all day long.
Defensively, when Albany began running all over us, we stayed in the cover 2 instead of implementing some sort of run blitz scheme to force them to throw when they didn't want to. Plenty of mistakes to go around but I for one think the coaches need to shoulder some of the blame for this one.
Date Posted:Tuesday, October 13, 05:28:16pm
This season has gone just about as expected for a new scholarship program. I expected 5 wins and I think we have a good shot. I like the usage of our younger players and I think we are two to three years away from legitimately competing in the NEC against the top tier teams consistently. The loss to dayton was very dissapointing and I agree with all of the pageanntry that is missing. If you want to see some unruly dissapointed fans go to the RMU website..............its getting ugly. Thought I was reading a old NYJ column........Joe must go!!! Go Dukes!
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 08:24:12pm
The Dukes' game at 1 PM against Albany will be their toughest on the schedule. Here's some things to consider:
- It's Albany's Homecoming.
- Albany's University Field seats 10,000. However, the photo of the field doesn't look like it seats 1,500. Click here. Average attendance for 2 home games has been 4,005.
- Weather at kick off is 56 degrees; high expected to be in low 60s this P M; cloudy and northwest winds @ 15-20 mph.
- Albany has 10 game NEC winning streak.
- Albany's defense hasn't given up a TD in last 10 quarters over its 3 game winning streak.
- Monmouth, Albany and Central Conn. State all are listed in "others getting votes" in Sport's Network's FCS College Football poll
- Using Sagarin's predictor scores and the home field advantage favors Albany by 15 points. Real Time RPI ranks the Dukes 195 and Albany 154.
The Dukes have several key players injured which will hurt them, particularly not having Dave Williams at receiver. I'm afraid the Great Danes' running game will be too much to stop. I regrettably see Albany winning 35-10. Hopefully the Dukes prove me wrong and pull a big upset!
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 01:59:16pm
Good prediction- So far the game is going about that way. The Dukes had the ball near the Redzone and couldn't move it, but their next drive looked good from the their own 1, but just got ran back on a fumble.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 02:37:10pm
Dukes recover on-side kick with 11 secs. left after scoring a late TD. This leads to interception and a last second score by Albany. The Dukes are down, 41-7. This is embarrassing! I can recall the Dukes being down to Bucknell by a huge margin last season and coming back and loosing by a few pts. I frankly don't see a come back happening today. Too many mistakes, particularly fumbles and woeful coverage on that last second pass. Maybe we need a QB change. Something...
Hopefully we improve the quality of play in the 2nd half to gain some confidence for next week's game.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 08:24:12pm
The Dukes number 2 leading tackler Rhodes did not play the second half and left the game on crutches. This might hurt the Dukes. Totino looked fine, no lingering effects from last weeks shoulder injury.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 02:50:52pm
At first, I was angry at Albany forbeing up so far and throwing into the endzone, but that is the type of attitude that Duquesne is lacking. The Danes took advantage of every opportunity and mistake and keep coming. Now I'm more upset at the Dukes for allowing the obvious throw into the endzone.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 02:22:55pm
I can't get the game on WMNY or Redzone. I had to go to the Albany Broadcast at http://www.ualbanysports.com/
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 01:56:35pm
I'm listening on the Albany broadcast too- Somebody tell the announcer that its "Conner" Dixon, not "Cameron" Dixon. Sounds like the broadcast is on TV- I wonder if Fox Sports Albany believes that they could cover a local team?
Some day, the Dukes may have a live broadcast if they ever schedule Pitt.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 09:02:53am
I learned today that David Williams will be out two weeks with a separated shoulder. Michael Rasky also did some damage to his upper arm and shoulder but will play. Nathan Totino is good to go on saturday and Tyler Scruggs, who broke his toe is day to day but is probable.
Date Posted:Friday, October 09, 08:49:34am
That will hurt against Albany. FYI - I have a work associate that is an Albany alumnus and a Great Dane fan. He said they will be trying to get into CAA in the next couple of years. When I brought up the point that they already have 12 members, he said two might be leaving for BCS competition. Not necessarily a BCS conference. Maybe to the MAC? He said that Albany has told the CAA they are interested if an opening arises.
Date Posted:Friday, October 09, 06:05:16pm
They certainly are ready to move up. A good program that is going about it the right way with a local market that appreciates it.
Date Posted:Saturday, October 10, 09:02:53am
I'd like to keep Albany in the NEC above any other team. They lead the way in scheduling (Cincinati) and attitude. Without Albany, the NEC could be just a new MAAC.
I'd like to keep them for at least another 3 years to see what scholarship football, fully applied, can do for the conference.
~2007 COFFEE MUG NOMINATIONS~
Player of the Year 2007 Offense- Bruce Hocker
Player of the Year 2007 Defense- Derron Thomas
Non-Player of the Year- Greg Amodio
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Fan of the Year- El Duque
~2008 COFFEE MUG NOMINATIONS~
Player of the Year 2008 Offense- Sean Bunevich
Player of the Year 2008 Defense- Chidozie Oparanozie
Non-Player of the Year- Alex Pamormius
Past Player- Buff Donelli, 1936
Past Non-Player of the Year- Greg Gatuso
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Stadium and other Issues
Re: Prediction for the Dukes' game against the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State
Albany to the CAA?
Re: Albany to the CAA?