After Duquesne football turns back the clock and plays Pitt for the first time since 1939 on Aug. 30, the Dukes will confront a second FBS opponent when they travel to Akron of the Mid-American Conference on Sept. 20.

The Dukes and Zips never have met.

The game against Pitt at Acrisure Stadium marks the sixth time and fourth in five years the Dukes open the season against an FBS opponent. Also, this is the sixth time since 2018 that Duquesne will face two FBS schools in the same season.

After the Pitt game, Duquesne will play five home games at Rooney Field, including three against NEC opponents, according to the 2025 schedule released Tuesday.

The home opener is Sept. 6 against Lincoln, followed by a visit from Lehigh on Sept. 13. Both are first-time Duquesne foes.

The Dukes and coach Jerry Schmitt will open their NEC schedule at home against Stonehill on Oct. 4, a week before the 51st all-time meeting with Saint Francis on Oct. 11. The Dukes hold a 40-10 edge in the series.

Duquesne travels to Mercyhurt, Wagner and LIU on Oct. 18 and 25 and Nov. 8 before closing the season at home against Central Connecticut State on Nov. 15 and at Robert Morris on Nov. 22.

The season finale will be Duquesne’s first game at Robert Morris since 2019. Four road games among the final five marks Duquesne’s longest season-ending road stretch since 1990.

Duquesne’s overall record against its 2025 opponents is 88-46-1.