Duquesne and Robert Morris announced scheduling alterations to their 2024 football season Friday, with both teams now set to face the Mercyhurst in the Lakers’ inaugural campaign at the Division I level.
Mercyhurst revealed earlier this month that 24 of its athletic programs would be making the jump from the Division II level, joining men’s and women’s hockey, which were already competing in Division I.
The Lakers are set to become full members of the Northeast Conference, putting them into orbit with both Duquesne and Robert Morris, both of which are associate members of the league in football.
In their first season of Division I competition, the Lakers will face both Pittsburgh institutions on the gridiron.
The Colonials will host Mercyhurst on Sept. 14, while the Lakers will play at Duquesne on Nov. 2.
As a result, the Dukes will no longer play Sacred Heart this upcoming season, and Robert Morris has canceled its Sept. 28 contest vs. Frostburg State, with that now serving as an open date.
Duquesne also moved its season-opener vs. Toledo to Aug. 29. Originally, it was scheduled for Aug. 31.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.