Dukes run over the Crusaders

The Dukes dominated the Valparaiso Crusaders from start to finish in a 49-14 victory Saturday afternoon at Rooney Field.

Duquesne (2-1) pounded out 425 yards on the ground and 628 total yards while completely shutting down the Crusaders' (0-2) attack through three quarters.

The Dukes scored the first 42 points of the contest through a mix of tough running and flashy passes. Sean Patterson opened the scoring with a fake handoff to McCoy and a three-yard scramble off the left tackle as the line pushed right. Minutes later, Patterson threw an eight-yard checkdown pass to Connor Dixon, who made two quick moves and then broke down the right sideline for a 66-yard touchdown.

Duquesne would score twice more before the half on a 1-yard run by Larry McCoy and a 4-yard one-handed reception by fullback Ethan Dorsey.

For the first time since 2002, the Dukes had two 100-yard rushers in the same game with senior Bill Bair compiling 154 yards in addition to McCoy's 164 yards, his third 100-yard game of the season and ninth of his career.

"We watched a lot of film, and there were multiple backs from previous teams that did a very good job running the ball," McCoy said. "So I knew that I had to be ready. Bair had to be ready, and also young boy Marcus [Hughes] had to be ready, too."

Hughes, a freshman, became the third running back to score a touchdown with his fourth-quarter 16-yard dash putting the Dukes up 49-7. Add in Patterson's scramble and four of the Duke's seven touchdowns came from four different players running the ball.

For all the noise the offense made, the defense did the same, forcing three and outs on Valparaiso's first two offensive possessions. The red and blue held the Crusaders to no rushing yards and only 45 total yards in the first half. Chris Oliver, who had nine tackles, including four for loss, said it's a season goal for the Dukes' defense to get to the line of scrimmage fast and make plays before opponents get downfield.

"Coach [Dave Opfar] and the D-line and linebacking coach, they always work with us every day at practice about getting better with our hands, about getting past these linemen without trying to blow through them," Oliver said. "And it showed off today."

Coach Jerry Schmitt was impressed with his team's ability to stuff the Valpo attack from the start.

"They're a little bit of a throwing team, so we knew we definitely had to stop the rush. They don't run the ball as well, so we knew we had to dominate the running game and keep them off balance that way," Schmitt said. "So we worked hard on it, and the guys did a really good job."

With a large lead, Patterson and McCoy took in much of the second half from the sidelines. Even with the plays off, Patterson managed to total 181 yards through the air on 12-for-18 passing with three touchdowns. He also scrambled for 51 yards on seven carries including a 15-yard gain on third down that kept the Dukes first drive alive. The senior gunslinger's composure helped the Dukes convert 11 of 13 third-downs.

Patterson was thankful for the effort of his offense.

"It's always great when those guys are blocking up front like the way they did today and you know Larry and Billy, and the rest of the guys are running hard," Patterson said. "It's always a positive. It makes my job really easy."

Schmitt enjoyed the fact that he could get his younger players some reps with such a large lead in the second half along with the effort of his running backs in the first half.

"It's important for us to establish [the run] and get some quality runs from the guys and just establish the line of scrimmage," Schmitt said. "Just to take carries off of Larry and get some other guys involved."

McCoy has already gained 389 yards on 77 carries in three games this season and moved into sixth place on Duquesne's career rushing list with 2,487 yards.

The Dukes open the conference schedule on the road against St. Francis next Saturday at 7 p.m.