Boston College Football 2024 Opponent Preview: Duquesne

Casting our eyes to the outlook for the BC football team in the year 2024 the team’s ability to face most opponents is still largely unknown. This was largely so due in part with a brand new coaching staff, the performance of the team could go in a number of directions especially with a roster that is undergoing transition. But they will have their usual by game against an FCS school this year in week 2 against Duquesne and It should provide eagles fans with a good chance to see their team win. Alright, let’s see the applicabilities head to head.

Remainder of Last Season (7-5 overall, 6-1 in conference)

Duquesne had a favorable season in FCS last year, they beat nearly everybody in the NEC and claimed the title against Merrimack but bowed out in the FCS playoffs first round to Youngstown State. Their results against the opponents from FBS were rather unsatisfactory though – the team lost to West Virginia 56-17 and to Coastal Carolina 66-7.

Departing Players

Captain of the RBs Edward Robinson III transferred out to Southern Illinois University during the winter after playing a stellar role as the university’s leading rusher for the previous season. They also lost two key receivers, as their starting wide out graduated in DJ Powell and Keshawn Brown transferred to UMass. On defense, the Dukes lost one of their best DBs in Dayvia Gbor, who has played in all games and came second for the team in INTs; all the main pass rushers of Duquesne are also gone – this season joined only by Noah Palmer, Jayden Johnson, and Ryan Lopez, all graduates. However, a great amount of senior leaders disappeared so the Duquesne is going to have to count on young players’ return to get back into the Season again and become the leader of the NEC.

This Year

The Dukes signed quarterback Darius Perrantes for the senior season in 2024, after he achieved many feats in the previous year of operation. Perrantes was the first team All-NEC, the leading passer in both FBS & FCS in passing yards per completion, & a finalist for the Walter Payton award in 2023. His deep ball is very potent, and if the secondary isn’t prepared to stop it, it could ruin the BC defense.

Otherwise, though, their offense is not very efficient and lacks a certain degree of variety to confuse or throw off the opponent. They utilize the third down poorly, and the team was near the middle of the FCS in almost all the basic attacking metrics in the previous season. And their defense on average is no better, and in some cases, it is even worse. Thus, last season showed that Duquesne is among the top FCS performers, but the team is not strong enough to compete at the FCS national level. QB David Perrantes could be a fun guy to watch throw the ball down the field, but much like last season, their top talents are gone leaving them to simply hope that new blood steps in to fo the job.