Duquesne at Towson
The 2018 Northeast Conference champions lost their first conference outing to Bryant by a single point, then rolled to five straight to finish out the season. Besides the loss to Bryant, their other two losses are to FBS teams, so the mystery as to how good this team is just that - a mystery. A top ten offense on 3rd down, converting just under 47% of the time, the Dukes can force an opposing defense to play for long stretches. As good a quarterback Daniel Parr is, it’s back, A.J. Hines who makes this team go, churning up over 1,300 yards this season. The defense shows nothing spectacular, but looks at least average in most areas, which may be concerning for the juggernaut they’re about to face.
Are you looking for a high scoring offense? The Tigers can supply it. Averaging almost 37 points per game, they rank #13 in the FCS. Quarterback Tom Flacco is one of the best in the CAA, if not the entire FCS. A run and pass threat, he’s the straw stirring the drink. And the formula works too, as they are #19 in time of possession. So not only are they scoring points, they keep it from the opponents, so it’s harder to score on them. Lately, the team has fallen on hard times, losing three out of four. And the defense is mostly to blame, getting torched for almost 38 per game in those losses. If defensive leader Brice Carter and Diondre Wallace can get the troops back in order, a playoff run could be made.
Duquesne is going to need to control the clock and shorten this game to have any chance to win. Any time an NEC team plays another from the CAA, you expect a talent and depth disadvantage. Heart is immeasurable. And the Dukes are going to need a lot of it to tame the Tigers.
Prediction: Towson 41, Duquesne 20
