PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Missing for the last five years, the cross-county football rivalry returns and for first place in the Northeast Conference Saturday. 3-0 in the NEC Duquesne hosts 3-0 Robert Morris at noon.
An RMU return to the Northeast Conference put this rivalry back on the schedule with each team rolling into Saturday’s matchup. The Dukes are 9-2 all-time against the Colonials at Rooney Field
“It’s really exciting,” said Duquesne senior AJ Ackerman. “I haven’t had the chance to play them for a long time. It’s kinda fun to have someone close in location.”
“Obviously this is a known game to us, the coaches talk about it,” said Duquesne QB Darius Perrantes. “We hear things from outsiders. I wasn’t here for the previous game, but I’m definitely excited for the challenge.”
“I love it,” said Robert Morris head coach Bernard Clark. “I think it’s outstanding. I didn’t grow up here, but when I first got here in 2018 it was kind of instilled in my head that that’s the rival. Even when we were in the Big South, I still had our AD reaching out to their AD because I wanted that rival to keep going because I think it’s great for the players and the schools.”
The crown has been with the Colonials since the 41-21 win in Moon in 2019. Before that it was a six-game winning streak for the Dukes.
“It is kind of different,” said Duquesne head coach Jerry Schmitt. “We don’t know each other as well as we did before. Not only personnel, but schematically because it’s been awhile. Every year you watch guys in conference games all year long and you pretty much know. It’s more of a challenge now for both staffs to figure out what the teams are like even though we are 20 minutes away.”
“We are hearing it from alumni, teammates that know players on other teams,” Perrantes said. “It should be a great showing. Two great teams playing hard, should be a fun one.”
“There is just do doubt emotions are definitely there in my part and the players part,” Clark said. “We are excited about this game. I’m hoping they are doing the same thing. They are excited about the game. I think it’s going to be a big game.”
Duquesne
In the Top 25 for the first time since April of 2021, the Dukes are 6-2, winners of six straight games after road losses at Toledo and Boston College to begin the season. It was Week Three where you saw a change. Knocked out of the FCS playoffs last year by the Penguins and having never beaten them, Duquesne won 28-25 at 20th ranked Youngstown State.
“I think it just gave us confidence for this team this year,” Schmitt said. “You go into the year and play two FBS teams. You are trying to gauge yourself and figure out how good this team is and I think that third game, when we came out with that win against a tradition, strong program. It gave us a little confidence that everything we’ve done throughout the season was leading to us being a decent football team.”
Duquesne outscored it’s next four opponents 168-62 and beat Mercyhurst by a touchdown last week. They lead the NEC in scoring, second in rushing yards and third in pass offense. JaMario Clemente lead the NEC with 108 rushing yards per game, 24 more than the second best. Perrantes is the most efficient passer in the league.
“My job is to distribute the ball,” Perrantes said with four receivers having at least three touchdown receptions. “Obviously I’m not trying to stat pad or anything like that, but I love to get everybody the ball. Somebody is always open on any play. It may not be the first read, but if you run a route, be ready.”
Schmitt has been around since the program was Division 3 and said he couldn’t imagine the heights they have now reached.
Robert Morris
In talking about the Colonials you start with defense. This well-coached and hard-working team hasn’t allowed a point in three of its last four games. A 23-0 win against Delaware State, then 17-0 against St. Francis and last week 6-0 against Merrimack.
“It’s just constantly working on certain things,” Clark told 93.7 The Fan. “It’s about our guys paying attention in meetings and knowing what they’re going to get and what plays are coming.”
“The things we always talk about as a defense is when you take that field you got to know the situation, you got to know the down and distance, you got to know the personnel and you got to know the formation. Those four things are a must every single play. We do a good job of pounding that into their heads.”
The number one defense in the Northeast Conference also has the quarterback with the second most passing yards. Bethel Park HS graduate Anthony Chiccitt continues to successfully win battles, right now on the football field, previously he’s beaten Hodgkin’s Lymphoma twice. A walk-on, Chiccitt has 32 career touchdown passes to 13 interceptions and 4,108 passing yards. This season Clark said he’s made a lot of great decisions and it’s how he leads. They trust he will get the job done.
Clark also said returning to the NEC after years in the Big South is huge for them. It’s much shorter road trips and getting to play schools fans recognize including the battle with Duquesne.
It’s back and Saturday should be a lot of fun. Look for game updates from Audacy Pittsburgh photojournalist Ben Tenuta on @937TheFan on X and 937thefan on Instagram.