The University football team was defeated by co-Northeast Conference Champion, the Duquesne Dukes, 33-23 in the final game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 23.
“We had an opportunity going into today’s game to finish with seven wins,” said MU head coach Kevin Callahan. “I don’t think we played well enough, particularly in the first half, to come away with a victory. When you play against a good team, a conference champion, it makes it very difficult. I was happy with the way we rebounded in the second half to get the score even. We were looking to get another stop and get the go ahead score but we were unable to do that. I feel badly for the seniors who are leaving the program, in that we were unable to get them a win in their last game.”
The Hawks offense was able to move the ball on a stellar Duquesne defense. Leading the way was junior quarterback Brandon Hill and senior running back KB Asante. Hill completed 18 of 31 passes for 273 yards while adding three touchdown passes. Asante added 124 rushing yards on 27 carries.
With his 124 yards on the ground, Asante eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau. Junior running back Julian Hayes was able to achieve that feat the previous week against the Bryant Bulldogs. Asante and Hayes’ impressive seasons, mark the first time the Hawks have had two 1,000-yard rushers in one season. The Hawks are also the only Football Championship Subdivision team to have two running backs pass the 1,000-yard mark.
Coach Callahan recognized the excellence of his potent running back duo. “Having two backs over 1,000 yards is a tremendous accomplishment both for KB and Julian,” maintained Coach Callahan. “I think you need to give a lot of credit to the work our offensive line did throughout the year, providing the holes and the blocking for them to run. They are both two very hard workers and they are back next year. I know that while they are disappointed with the outcome of today’s game and possibly overall record of the season, they are happy and they should be about their individual accomplishments.”
Even with the milestone reached, and over 400 yards of total offense, the Hawks could not contain the Dukes’ offense enough to win the game. The Dukes jumped out to an early 13-0 lead highlighted by freshman quarterback Dillon Buechel’s 14-yard connection with junior wide receiver Devin Rahming midway through the first quarter. The Hawks would respond early in the second quarter when Hill hit sophomore tight end Zach Fabel on an 18-yard seam route for a touchdown.
The score remained 13-7 until, with only 14 seconds left in the half, the Dukes freshman placekicker Austin Crimmins made a 30-yd field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball was held up by the swirling wind. The Hawks senior cornerback/kick returner Tevrin Brandon ran up to receive the kick but the ball went over his head and bounded to the 19-yardline where the Dukes recovered the ball. The Dukes quickly took advantage of the turnover during the following play as Buechel hit sophomore wide receiver Dave Thomas on a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the dukes a commanding 23-7 lead entering halftime.
In the second half, the Hawks would make a valiant comeback. The comeback started late in the third quarter when Hill connected with senior tight end Mike McLafferty on a 56-yard passing touchdown. The Hawks proceeded to convert on a two-point attempt when senior wide receiver Neal Sterling caught a pass from Hill to make it a one-possession game at 23-15. Early in the fourth quarter, Sterling helped the Hawks complete the comeback after catching a 17-yard touchdown pass from Hill. He then converted his second straight two-point attempt to tie the game at 23.
The Dukes quickly answered the Hawks offensive surge. After Rahming took the following kickoff into Hawks territory, the Dukes quickly moved down the field culminating with Buechel’s third touchdown pass of the game to senior running back Ethan Dorsey. The Hawks offense could not muster another scoring drive after the Dukes’ touchdown. The Dukes added a late field goal to make the final score 33-23.
MU’s loss places their final record at 6-6. The Hawks look to improve upon that record next year as they enter the formidable Big South Conference.
PHOTO COURTESY of Jim Reme
