You’ve probably seen the headlines about the "City Game" returning, but if you’re only looking at the scoreboards from last August, you're missing the real story behind the duquesne university football schedule. Honestly, most fans just see a small FCS school from Pittsburgh and assume they’re just showing up to collect a paycheck from the big FBS programs. They couldn't be more wrong.
The 2025 season was a wild ride that basically redefined what it means to be a "mid-major" in a town obsessed with the Steelers and Pitt Panthers.
The Acrisure Shocker and the FBS Grind
Let’s be real. Nobody expected Duquesne to walk into Acrisure Stadium on August 30 and beat Pitt. It had been 86 years since these two schools shared a field—the last meeting was in 1939, back when the Dukes actually won 21-13. While the 61-9 loss this time around looked ugly on paper, it set a tone.
The Dukes didn't just schedule one FBS giant; they went after Akron on September 20 too.
That’s two "guarantee games" in the first month. Most teams at this level take one and call it a day. Head coach Jerry Schmitt, who has been steering this ship for nearly two decades, seems to have a "bring on anyone" mentality that filters down to his players. It's about the experience, sure, but it's also about the recruiting trail. When you can tell a high school kid they’ll be playing on the same grass as the Steelers twice in two years (they played West Virginia recently too), that matters.
A Schedule Built for Toughness
Look at how the non-conference slate was actually constructed:
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- August 30: at Pitt (L, 9-61)
- September 6: vs. Lincoln (PA) (W, 55-14)
- September 13: vs. No. 10 Lehigh (L, 21-35)
- September 20: at Akron (L, 7-51)
- September 27: vs. New Haven (W, 44-18)
That Lehigh game was a heartbreaker. Rooney Field is one of the most unique spots in college football—literally a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River where the wind can turn a simple field goal into a nightmare. Having a top-10 ranked Lehigh team come to the Bluff in mid-September was a massive statement for the program's visibility.
Navigating the NEC Gauntlet
Once the calendar flipped to October, the duquesne university football schedule shifted into what really matters: the Northeast Conference (NEC) title race. Duquesne has been the "bully" of this conference for a while, having won a share of the title in 2024.
The middle of the season was a masterclass in home-field advantage. They absolutely dismantled Stonehill and Saint Francis in back-to-back weeks. If you weren't at the Saint Francis game on October 11, you missed a 52-7 blowout that reminded everyone why Duquesne was picked to finish near the top of the preseason polls.
But then things got weird.
Every season has that one stretch that makes or breaks a team. For the Dukes, it was the three-game road trip through Erie and New York.
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- Mercyhurst (Oct 18): A dominant 37-0 shutout. The defense looked elite.
- Wagner (Oct 25): A 24-13 stumble. This is the kind of game that haunts a coaching staff—statistically, Duquesne should have won, but turnovers in the red zone are a killer.
- LIU (Nov 8): Another road loss (29-11) after a bye week that was supposed to get everyone healthy.
It’s easy to look at a schedule and see dates. It’s harder to see the fatigue of bus rides and hotel stays. By the time November 15 rolled around, the Dukes were 5-5. They were staring down the barrel of a mediocre season after such high expectations.
The Resurrection at Rooney
The final two weeks were basically a movie script. On November 15, Central Connecticut came to town. It was a 38-33 shootout where the Dukes' offense finally clicked again. Then came the finale on November 22: the short trip to Moon Township to play Robert Morris.
The RMU rivalry is personal. It’s the "Battle for the Targe" (or just local bragging rights), and a 20-17 victory to close out the year at 7-5 made those early FBS blowouts feel like a lifetime ago.
What’s Coming in 2026?
If you think the 2025 schedule was aggressive, wait until you see the 2026 lineup. The Dukes aren't backing down. They’ve already got dates set that will take them across the country.
- September 5, 2026: at Air Force
- September 12, 2026: at Youngstown State
- September 19, 2026: at Washington State
Yes, you read that right. Washington State. A school from the NEC traveling to Pullman to play a program with Pac-12 history. It’s a massive logistical undertaking and a huge payday for the athletic department, but for the players, it’s a chance to play on a national stage.
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The Hidden Complexity of the Schedule
Most people don't realize how much the duquesne university football schedule is influenced by the school's location. Being in Pittsburgh is a double-edged sword. You're surrounded by talent, but you're also competing for oxygen with the Steelers, the Pirates, and Pitt.
This is why the "City Game" renewal was so vital. Even in a loss, Duquesne was the talk of the town for a week.
Coach Schmitt has built a roster that can handle these swings. With captains like A.J. Ackerman and Kevin Kurzinger returning for multiple seasons (thanks to those extra years of eligibility), there's a level of maturity on this team that you don't usually see in the FCS. They don't get rattled by a 50-point loss to a Power Five school because they know their real season starts in October.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're planning on following the Dukes next season, here’s how to actually do it without losing your mind:
- Don't trust the early record. Duquesne almost always starts 1-2 or 0-3 because they play "up" in competition. Look at how they play, not just the score.
- Rooney Field is tiny—buy early. With only about 2,200 seats, home games against rivals like Robert Morris or Saint Francis sell out way faster than you’d think.
- Watch the NEC Front Row. Most of the games aren't on ESPN, but the conference's own streaming service is actually decent and usually free.
- Follow the transfers. Duquesne is a huge destination for "bounce-back" players from the FBS. Keep an eye on the summer roster moves to see who’s coming in from the portal.
The Dukes ended 2025 with a winning record and a ton of momentum. While the 2026 schedule looks like a mountain to climb, this program has proven they'd rather fall off a cliff than stay on the porch.
For a school on a bluff, that seems pretty on-brand.
Next Steps:
If you want to keep up with the Dukes as they head into spring camp, your best bet is to monitor the official portal for the 2026 National Signing Day results. This will give you the first look at the freshmen who will be tasked with facing Air Force and Washington State this fall. Check the roster updates in late February to see which veteran players have decided to use their final year of eligibility.