PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Long Island University used a balanced offensive effort and a late defensive stand to defeat Duquesne 17-14 on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Acrisure Stadium. The announced attendance was 2,572. Long Island improved to 2-5, while Duquesne fell to 1-4. Luca Stanzani guided the Sharks, completing 10 of 13 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown while adding 44 yards on 20 carries. Sam Slade scored two touchdowns for Long Island. Duquesne quarterback Carson Camp completed 15 of 24 passes for 202 yards. The Dukes moved the ball effectively at times but could not convert their final scoring chance.

Long Island opened the scoring in the first quarter when Will Johnson connected on a 43-yard field goal with 7:59 remaining. Duquesne answered late in the opening quarter when Dazhaun Hopkins rushed up the middle for a 13-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left, and Matt Clark added the extra point. The Dukes extended their advantage in the second quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Ness Davis. Long Island responded before halftime when Stanzani found Slade for a 9-yard touchdown pass, pulling the Sharks within four points. After a scoreless third quarter, Long Island took the lead for good in the fourth. Slade rushed up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown with 11:29 remaining, and Johnson made the extra point. Duquesne had a chance to reclaim the lead, but Clark missed a 26-yard field goal with 4:18 left. Long Island then ran out the clock and secured the road win. The Sharks scored the final 14 points of the game after Duquesne had built a lead.

Stanzani was the top star for Long Island. He completed 10 of 13 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, and he carried 20 times for 44 yards. Slade finished with 11 carries for 32 yards and a touchdown, two receptions for 9 yards and another touchdown, giving him two scores in the game. Tristin McFarland led the Long Island receivers with two catches for 49 yards. Joseph Young had two receptions for 37 yards. Evan Brooks added two catches for 32 yards. Gianni Marino recorded one reception for 22 yards. Jayden Simpson caught one pass for 7 yards. Jesiah Mcknight rushed eight times for 33 yards. Mekhi Moore added two carries for 8 yards. Callum Brent punted five times for 231 yards, helping Long Island manage field position. Will Johnson handled the kicking duties and made the key fourth-quarter extra point after his earlier field goal. Long Island’s offense finished with enough balance to complement its defensive effort.

Duquesne’s offense was led by Camp, a 6-3, 210-pound quarterback from Bloomington, Illinois. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 202 yards. Ness Davis carried 18 times for 69 yards and a touchdown, and he caught one pass for 6 yards. Dazhaun Hopkins rushed four times for 25 yards and scored a touchdown while adding one reception for 1 yard. Shawn Solomon Jr. ran 11 times for 37 yards and caught three passes for 3 yards. Khiryn Boyd had two receptions for 81 yards, including a long catch that helped the Dukes move into Long Island territory. Ryan Petras caught four passes for 39 yards and returned two punts for 16 yards. Myles Walker had one reception for 24 yards. Antwon Thomas caught one pass for 20 yards. Noah Canty added one reception for 16 yards. Zae-Mear Correll recorded one catch for 12 yards. Cam Frazier returned three kickoffs for 51 yards. Andrew Graham punted five times for 226 yards.

Long Island’s defense produced several key stops. Rafael Fasolino led the Sharks with nine tackles. Marquacious Wright had seven tackles and one sack. Noah Livingston recorded six tackles. Xavier Cannaday added six tackles. Trey Watkins made five tackles and intercepted one pass. Braylon Vincent finished with five tackles. Ryan Maxwell had four tackles and one interception. Kareem Vessup recorded four tackles and one sack. Phillip Baynes Jr. made four tackles. Rodney Mills added four tackles. Jackson Barry and LJ Hall each recorded three tackles. Shamir Fredericks, Jeremie McGurn, Martavius Durden Jr., Stephen Ntambwe, Jerome Hayes Jr., Chiagozie Oliver and Kevin Bentin each made one tackle. The interceptions by Watkins and Maxwell helped Long Island slow Duquesne’s passing attack. The Sharks also held Duquesne scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Duquesne’s defense was paced by Luke Miller, who recorded 10 tackles. Caleb Jones made six tackles. Adrian Ramirez had five tackles and two sacks. Zach Chambers added five tackles. Bernard Blakey recorded four tackles and 1.5 sacks. Dallas Harper made four tackles. The Dukes generated pressure in the backfield, but Long Island’s offense made enough plays in the fourth quarter to finish the comeback. Duquesne held a lead into the second half but could not add to its point total after the second-quarter touchdown run by Davis. Long Island’s defense forced timely turnovers and limited the Dukes on their final possession. The Sharks also controlled field position with Brent’s punting and Johnson’s kicking. Duquesne’s final drive ended after Clark’s missed field goal.

Long Island had entered the game after a win over Mercyhurst. Duquesne had previously defeated Rio Grande. The Sharks are scheduled to visit Wagner in their next game. The Dukes are set to visit Stonehill. Both teams will continue NCAA Football Championship Division play. Long Island will look to build on the road victory and improve its record in conference action. Duquesne will seek to rebound after a narrow home loss. The game was played before a crowd of 2,572 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Stanzani’s efficiency through the air and Slade’s two touchdowns proved to be the difference for the Sharks. Long Island’s defense made the final stand after Duquesne moved into scoring range. The Dukes could not capitalize on their final opportunity.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Duquesne with an 87.2 percent probability to win. Long Island had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +3. The total score of 31 went over the over/under line of 45.5.