Venue, Date & Time
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Arthur J. Rooney Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Surface: FieldTurf
Broadcast: NEC Front Row / Fox Sports Pittsburgh
Weather Forecast (Pittsburgh, PA – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly sunny
Temperature: ~79°F (26°C) at kickoff, cooling to ~70°F by late afternoon
Wind: Light, 4–6 mph from the northwest
Precipitation:
Impact: Ideal early‑season conditions; no significant effect on passing or kicking
Injury Report
(As of mid‑week; subject to change)
Lincoln (PA)
No major injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Grand Valley State.
Duquesne
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Pitt.
WR Joey Isabella healthy and coming off back‑to‑back 100‑yard games.
Notes:
Lincoln went 2‑8 in 2024, including a 41‑0 loss to FCS Morgan State.
Duquesne is the back‑to‑back NEC champion (2023, 2024) and was picked 2nd in the 2025 NEC preseason poll.
Recent Team Form (Last 5 Games, incl. 2024)
Lincoln (PA)
L 45‑9 @ Grand Valley State (2025)
L 41‑0 @ Morgan State (2024)
W 28‑14 vs. Elizabeth City State (2024)
L 35‑20 @ Bowie State (2024)
W 21‑17 vs. Livingstone (2024)
Duquesne
L 31‑14 @ Pitt (2025)
W 27‑24 vs. Sacred Heart (2024)
W 31‑20 @ Stonehill (2024)
W 34‑17 vs. Merrimack (2024)
L 28‑24 @ Bryant (2024)
Key Player Matchups
Lincoln Offense vs. Duquesne Defense
Lincoln’s offense is led by QB play that struggled in Week 1 (under 150 passing yards) and a run game averaging just 2.8 YPC vs. GVSU.
Duquesne’s defense has forced at least one takeaway in 11 straight games, extended by DB Dallas Harper’s end‑zone INT at Pitt.
Duquesne Offense vs. Lincoln Defense
WR Joey Isabella: 8 catches, 120 yards vs. Pitt; 4th career 100‑yard game.
RB Taj Butts (Preseason All‑NEC) will test a Lincoln front that allowed 200+ rushing yards in Week 1.
Special Teams Edge
Lincoln’s Zyaire Tart was the 2024 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year.
Duquesne’s coverage units have been solid, and their kicking game is consistent inside 40 yards.
Series History
First‑ever meeting between the programs.
Duquesne is 18‑3 vs. non‑Division I opponents since joining the FCS in 1993 and has won 13 straight such games.
The Dukes have held their home‑opening opponent to single digits in 3 of the last 4 years.
Betting Trends
Lincoln (PA)
0‑4 SU vs. FCS opponents since 2022.
Allowed 40+ points in all four of those games.
Duquesne
17 straight wins in home openers.
12‑0 when scoring 30+ points over the last two seasons.
11‑0 when leading after the first quarter since 2023.
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
Duquesne’s talent gap as a top‑tier NEC program vs. a mid‑pack CIAA team.
Lincoln’s defensive struggles vs. strong rushing attacks.
Duquesne’s historical dominance in home openers and vs. non‑DI opponents.
Game Odds
Lincoln (PA) Lions 54.5
Duquesne Dukes – 38.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
