Pittsburgh – The Edinboro football team dropped an 49-7 decision to host FCS Duquesne Saturday afternoon in the season opener at Rooney Field.
 
The Dukes got out early when Ayden Garnes jumped a Matt Carlisle pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown at the 14:11 mark of the first quarter. After the teams traded punts, Duquesne intercepted another Carlisle pass setting up a four-yard touchdown run by Darius Perrantes to make it 14-0.
 
Perrantes found Keshawn Brown from 33 yards out with 13 seconds left in the first to extend the lead to 21-0. The Dukes would score twice more in the second to build a 35-0 halftime advantage.
 
The teams traded punts to open the second half before Matt Robinson completed a three-yard touchdown to Darryl Powell Jr. to push the lead to 42-0.
 
The Fighting Scots got on the board on the next drive. After a false start to open the drive moved the ball to the Edinboro 34, Carlisle hit Mike Watkins for a 16-yard gain to move the chains. Carlisle rushed for 11 yards to advance the ball to the Duke 39. Mike Flowers rushed for two and Carlisle went for 11 more to get to the Duquesne 21. Carlisle hooked up with Aaron Hopkins for the 21-yard touchdown with 3:18 to play in the third.
 
Jordan Heisey set the final with a two-yard keeper at the 11:46 mark of the fourth.
 
Carlisle finished the game 10-of-23 for 76 yards a touchdown and three interceptions. He also had 39 rushing yards including his four sacks. Brian Trobel carried the ball nine times for 31 yards. Hopkins was the leading receiver with three catches for 37 yards and the score.
 
Malcolm Johnson recorded a team-leading nine tackles with six solo stops. Toby Cline added seven stops while CJ Waldier added six stops.
 
Reed Martin had six punts averaging 41.7 yards per kick with three downed inside the 20. Thaddeus Standfield averaged 21.8 yards per kick return.
 
Perrantes completed 7-of-13 for 135 yards and two scores. Brown caught two passes for 71 yards. Taj Butts led the Dukes with 104 yards rushing. Ty Howard led the Duquesne defense with five stops.
 
The Scots are back in action on Saturday when they host Shepherd at 12 p.m. inside Sox Harrison Stadium.