After an unprecedented, but successful, spring season, Duquesne was picked to finish in a tie for second with Central Connecticut in the Northeast Conference preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday.
The Dukes received two first-place votes while preseason favorite and defending champion Sacred Heart appeared on four of the seven ballots. Duquesne was 4-0 in the regular season before losing to Sacred Heart, 34-27 in overtime, in the NEC championship game April 11 at the Dukes’ Rooney Field.
The Dukes’ reputation followed them into this season. Seven players were named to the All-NEC preseason team, led by quarterback Joe Mischler, who completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,195 yards, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions in five games.
Also named were wide receiver Cyrus Holder, who averaged nearly 100 yards per game (total, 491) among his 23 receptions; defensive back Leonardo Debrito (a team-leading 37 tackles and one interception); kicker Brian Bruzdewicz (four field goals in six attempts); tight end Bill O’Malley; and offensive linemen Jake Dixon and Vincent Lumia.
Duquesne opens its second 2021 season against two FBS teams, traveling to TCU on Sept. 4 and Ohio on Sept. 11.
