Aug. 12, 2008

click here for complete NEC release

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University has been picked to finish fifth in its inaugural season in the Northeast Conference Football League, according to a preseason poll of the league's eight head coaches released today.

    The Dukes, who won 11 titles in 14 years in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League from 1994 through 2007, are picked to finish behind Albany, Monmouth, Central Connecticut State and Wagner in the eight-team league.

    "We've been preparing our team for the level of competition we'll face each week in the Northeast Conference," said head coach Jerry Schmitt whose team is in its second week of camp. "We know the quality of the programs from top to bottom in the NEC is outstanding. We're excited to be part of a conference that continues to grow and get better each year."

    Defending champion Albany, which finished with five first place votes, was tabbed as the preseason favorite for the title. The Great Danes were followed by Monmouth (two first place votes), Central Connecticut State (one first place vote) and Wagner. Duquesne, which returns 13 starters from last year's 6-4 team, was picked to finish ahead of Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and Saint Francis, Pa.

    Three Dukes - junior quarterback Kevin Rombach, senior cornerback Aaron Strader and senior placekicker Mark Troyan - were named to the NEC Football Preseason All-Conference Team.

    The 6-1, 205-pound Rombach (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), who completed a school record .610 percent of his passes last season, was a first team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League pick last year after completing a school-record 61.0 percent of his passes. Rombach, who threw for 2,410 yards in 2007, has 25 career TD passes with just eight interceptions. He is 8-2-0 all time as a starter.

    Strader (Pittsburgh, Pa./Westinghouse), the 2005 MAAC Defensive Rookie of the Year and first team All-MAAC pick in 2006 and 2007, posted a team-high four interceptions last year and has nine for his career). The 6-3, 200-pounder also broke up a team-best seven passes in `07.

    Troyan (Ford City, Pa./Ford City) already holds the school record for career field goals with 32 (old record was 23) and points by a kicker with 186 (previous mark was 159). He has had at least 10 field goals in each of his first three seasons (10, 10 & 12) and is averaging 62 points per season for his career. Troyan was a first team All-MAAC placekicker last year.

    Duquesne, which began Fall camp on August 4, opens the 2008 season at Bucknell at 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 6. Following an off week, the Dukes will open the home season and begin play in the NEC on Sept. 20 against Saint Francis, Pa. Kickoff time for the home opener is 7:00 p.m..

2008 Northeast Conference Football League Preseason Poll
First place votes in parentheses

1.  Albany (5)
2.  Monmouth (2)
3.  Central Connecticut State (1)
4.  Wagner
5.  DUQUESNE
6.  Robert Morris
7.  Sacred Heart
8.  Saint Francis, Pa.