Washington State 2026 Spring Opponent Outlook: Duquesne Dukes

The Cougars will welcome Duquesne University to Gesa Field for their 2026 home opener. While the Dukes may seem like a win on paper, it will be important for the Cougars to not overlook their FCS counterparts on September 19.

Usually contenders in the Northeast Conference, Duquesne missed out on the FCS playoffs a season ago and are looking to get back but what sort of challenge, can they actually pose to the Cougs come fall?

Offense

Right now, the Dukes don't know who will be their signal caller. Tyler Riddell held the position last fall, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. He's graduated now, though, and that means that either junior Logan Kushner, senior Xavier Rice or senior Nate Harper will get the nod this season pending they don't add anyone in the late portal window. Kushner served as Riddell's primary backup last year, completing 14-of-19 passes. Rice appeared in one game as well last year while Harper has not seen any field time yet.

Where there are questions at QB for Duquesne, there won't be in the backfield or the receivers room. Leading rusher Ness Davis is back after running for 927 yards and a pair of scores as a redshirt sophomore in 2025. Joining him will be Shawn Solomon Jr. and Dazhaun Hopkins, a duo that combined for another 568 yards and three more scores. Between those three, the Dukes should have a solid running game.

On the outside it will again be Joey Isabella and Ryan Petras snagging passes. Isabella finished first on the offense with 63 catches... nearly three times as many as anyone else... and 839 yards along with 13 touchdowns. This will be his final season and there's no reason he shouldn't be the top target once more in the passing game.