FCS-CFB Game Preview: Duquesne Dukes (3-3) vs. Saint Francis Red Flash (0-5)

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Venue & Game Details

Location: Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field, 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET

Broadcast: NEC Front Row, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Fox Sports Pittsburgh (radio)

Weather Forecast (Pittsburgh, PA)

Temperature: 65–67°F during game window

Conditions: Mostly clear to partly cloudy

Wind: Light NNE at 5 mph

Impact: Minimal weather effect; ideal fall football conditions

Injury Report

Saint Francis: No reported injuries

Duquesne: No reported injuries

Player Matchups

Saint Francis (0-5)

QB Nick Whitfield Jr.: 948 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT

RB Raphael Ekechi: 147 yards, 2 TD

WR DJ Maultsby: 180 yards, 1 TD

LB Geno Calgaro: 54 tackles (2nd in NEC)

Strength: #1 pass defense in NEC (141.8 YPG allowed, 4th in FCS)

Weakness: Run defense (257.8 YPG allowed, last in NEC)

Duquesne (3-3)

QB Tyler Riddell: 1,074 yards, 14 TD, 3 INT

RB Ness Davis: 349 yards, 1 TD

WR Joey Isabella: 479 yards, 6 TD

LB Tyson Meiguez: 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, FF last week (NEC Defensive Player of the Week)

Strength: Balanced offense (239 passing YPG, 165 rushing YPG)

Team Records & Recent Form

Saint Francis (0-5, 0-1 NEC)

L @ Bucknell 30-23

L vs Delaware State 39-10

L @ CCSU 31-7

L @ Buffalo 45-6

L @ ULM 29-0

Avg: 9.2 PPG scored (last in NEC), 34.8 PPG allowed (last in NEC)

Duquesne (3-3, 1-0 NEC)

W vs Stonehill 34-14

W vs New Haven 44-18

L @ Akron 51-7

L vs Lehigh 35-21

W vs Lincoln (PA) 55-14

Avg: 28.3 PPG scored, 32.2 PPG allowed

Series History

All-time: Duquesne leads 40-10

Last meeting (2024): Duquesne 38, Saint Francis 7 (two defensive TDs, SFU 0-13 on 3rd downs)

This is the 51st meeting, the most-played opponent in Duquesne history

Betting Trends

Saint Francis: 0-5 SU, 2-3 ATS

Duquesne: 3-3 SU, 1-3 ATS

Under has hit in 3 of last 4 Duquesne games

Duquesne is 15-3 all-time in NEC openers and 10-1 when opening at home

Game Odds

Duquesne Dukes                              – 13.5

Saint Francis Red Flash                  48

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 10, 2025

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NCAAFB Editor
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.