Game Preview: Duquesne at Youngstown State (week 3)

Duquesne heads to Youngstown State on September 14, 2024, in a rematch of their 2023 FCS Playoff clash, where Youngstown State rolled to a dominant 40-7 victory. Both teams are looking to get on track after mixed results to start the season. Youngstown State (1-1) enters the game after a blowout win over Valparaiso, 59-25, following a close 24-17 loss to Villanova in their opener. Duquesne (0-2), meanwhile, is coming off two tough losses against FBS competition, falling to Toledo and Boston College.

Youngstown State's quarterback, Beau Brungard, will be the key player for Duquesne to focus on. Brungard is a dual-threat, making plays both through the air and on the ground. In the Penguins' win over Valparaiso, he completed 11-of-14 passes for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for 194 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 66-yard run. The Penguins are likely to stick to their run-heavy offense, which saw them rush for an eye-popping 429 yards and 5 touchdowns in the win. Running back Tyshon King will be another threat, adding balance with his powerful rushing style, and Brungard's ability to hurt teams on the ground means Duquesne’s defense will have to stay disciplined and try to contain the multiple threats in Youngstown State’s backfield.

For Duquesne, much of the pressure will be on quarterback Darius Perrantes to bounce back after facing two tough FBS defenses. While Perrantes is not a dual-threat quarterback like Brungard, he is known for making plays with his arm and has the talent to succeed at the FCS level. A member of the Walter Payton Award Watch List, Perrantes has yet to play his best game this season. However, facing FCS competition should give him an opportunity to show why he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the NEC. He’ll look to target wideouts like Tedy Afful, who led the team with 48 receiving yards against Boston College, while getting support from running back JaMario Clements to keep the Penguins’ defense honest.

Duquesne’s defense will also need to step up after being gashed by Boston College for 306 rushing yards last week. Linebackers Luke Miller and Jaylen Stephens will need to be at their best to contain Youngstown State’s dynamic offense, particularly Brungard’s rushing ability. Last year’s playoff matchup was defined by Youngstown State's ability to dominate through the air and on the ground, with Mitch Davidson throwing for 316 yards and the Penguins rushing for 210 yards. If Duquesne wants to flip the script this year, they’ll need to improve significantly on both sides of the ball, especially in stopping the run.

This game presents an opportunity for Duquesne to showcase their capabilities against one of the top programs in the FCS. With Youngstown State’s run-heavy offense clicking and Duquesne’s need to bounce back from two tough losses, this should be a compelling matchup.