Adam Lindner | Sports Editor
10/18/2018
The Duquesne football team snapped a two-game skid on Oct. 13 and ran to its first Northeast Conference victory of the 2018 season in the process, when it beat the visiting Robert Morris Colonials, 48-24, at Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field.
Junior tailback A.J. Hines and senior defensive back Daquan Worley combined for 278 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the evening, and the Duquesne defense managed to force three Robert Morris turnovers.
Hines tied a career-high with three rushing scores, going for a season-best 182 rushing yards on 27 carries. The Wilson, North Carolina product also caught two passes for 36 yards, amassing a grand total of 218 yards from scrimmage. He was named NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his efforts, alongside Central Connecticut State running back Drew Jean-Guillaume.
Worley, a defensive back, played his first-ever collegiate snaps on the offensive side of the ball against the Colonials, rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns on seven attempts. Coach Jerry Schmitt’s team has been plagued by a shortage of healthy bodies at running back throughout the season, and has had to count upon athletes at other spots for depth at the position.
Earlier this season, ex-high school tailback and current DU freshman Lucas D’Orazio fully transitioned from linebacker to running back to aid in the team’s deficiency at the spot.
Following a Daniel Parr fumble on the first possession of the game, the Dukes found themselves in trouble. Colonials quarterback Jimmy Walker connected on a four-yard score with tight end Matthew Gonzalez on the ensuing possession.
However, once Duquesne regained possession, it wouldn’t relinquish the lead, going on to score 24 unanswered points. Back-to-back Robert Morris turnovers largely aided in swinging the game in the Dukes’ favor.
Following another RMU score, as the game neared halftime, Duquesne managed to move the ball 69 yards in just 35 seconds before a 10-yard Hines touchdown run capped off the drive. The Dukes took a 31-14 lead into the halftime break.
Worley began the second half as the team’s running back, eventually scoring from 23 yards out on his fourth carry attempt of the night.
Worley ended up breaking off a 52-yard scoring run later on the game’s second half, well en route to a demanding Duquesne victory.
Parr completed 17 of his 23 pass attempts for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 43 yards on nine carries.
Star senior receiver Nehari Crawford recorded four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, and freshman Aidan Cain reeled in four passes for 44 yards.
Defensively, defensive back Spencer DeMedal recorded a career-high 11 tackles (10 solo) and a fumble recovery. Teammate Brandon Stanback had eight tackles (seven solo) as well as a forced fumble. Jonathant Istache had four tackles, one interception and three pass breakups.
Up next for the Dukes is another NEC opponent in Saint Francis on Oct. 20. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
Last, the Red Flash (2-4, 0-1 NEC) fell to Wagner, 23-22.
