PITTSBURGH — Duquesne will be without quarterback Joe Mischler this week when the Dukes visit Ohio, head coach Jerry Schmitt said, but the team does not have a definitive diagnosis for the injured quarterback.
Mischler suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of last Saturday’s season opener at TCU, left the game and did not return. He had a large brace on his leg at practice this week. The Erie native won’t get an opportunity to play against his former teammates. Mischler transferred from Ohio to Duquesne before the 2020-21 season.
Darius Perrantes replaced Mischler for the Dukes against TCU, and is expected to once again do so when the Dukes visit Athens, Ohio for a 2 p.m. kickoff Saturday. Perrantes threw just nine times against the Horned Frogs, completing three for 76 yards.
“That’s a tough defense to play against,” Schmitt said. “I thought he handled himself well for being a backup and not getting all the reps during the week in preparation. He did some good things.”
A transfer from Rhode Island, Perrantes, a California native, has some NCAA experience. He played in three games and made two starts for the Rams in 2019. Perrantes is the younger brother of former Virginia basketball player London Perrantes.
Sophomore Bryce Veasley, a Bowling Green transfer, is also listed as a co-starter on the depth chart. Veasley has played in three games over the last two seasons for the Dukes.
In the Bobcats, the Dukes will be facing their second straight FBS opponent. Ohio lost at home to Syracuse, 29-9 in its season opener last Saturday, as longtime offensive coordinator Tim Albin took the coaching reins after the retirement of Frank Solich this offseason.
“They’re a really good program,” Schmitt said. “They’ve been as consistent in that conference over the years as anyone.”
The Dukes will look to clean some things up from their trip to Fort Worth, especially from the first half, when they were outscored 35-0 by TCU.
“I think physically, we were ready to play,” Schmitt said. “You’re facing more, bigger and stronger kids.”
That’s, of course, part of the challenge that this year’s schedule provided for the Dukes, who get a bye week after Ohio before opening their home schedule Sept. 24 against Virginia-Lynchburg.
“There’s no doubt that the challenge of playing at high levels is going to help us improve across the board, not only physically, but mentally,” Schmitt said. “That will prepare us for those tough conference games down the stretch.”
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN3. … Duquesne has faced Ohio once before, a 14-13 loss in 1948 … Two local players will suit up for the Bobcats, backup center Parker Titsworth (North Allegheny) and backup guard Bryce Ramer (Beaver). … Duquesne is 0-4 against FBS teams as an FCS team.
