Buechel excels as Duquesne wraps up spring

Apr 9, 2016 - 10:14 PM (STATS) - Defending Northeast Conference champion Duquesne wrapped up its spring football practices Saturday by working on nine specific scrimmage situations at Rooney Field.

Some not so spring-like conditions in Pittsburgh greeted the Dukes, but it didn't faze quarterback Dillon Buechel and wide receiver Wayne Capers Jr. as their chemistry was in midseason form. They connected on a touchdown pass during a two-minute drill as well as a 35-yarder on a third-down conversion drill.

Buechel, who will be a fourth-year starter, also hit Nehari Crawford and Reggie McKnight for touchdowns during red zone drills.

During one-on-one drills, Brett Brumbaugh had a 69-yard pass completion to Chavas Rawlins.

Also, the Dukes held a 15-minute halftime balloon release in remembrance of former team manager Ryan Fleming and former player Chris Johnson, who both died this offseason.

Coach Jerry Schmitt enters his 12th season with the Dukes, who return 14 starters (eight on offense and six on defense) from an 8-4 season that ended in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

The likely NEC favorites will kick off their 2016 season on Sept. 1 at Missouri Valley Football Conference member Youngstown State.