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Duquesne vs Air Force game
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Duquesne opens its 99th season at Air Force on Sept. 5, a first-time matchup. The Falcons are 29-0 vs. FCS teams, so the Dukes face a tough test.
Background
Duquesne and Air Force are both starting their 2026 seasons with this game, which is the first meeting between the two programs. Duquesne is an FCS team from the NEC, while Air Force is an FBS team in the Mountain West. Air Force has historically dominated FCS opponents, going 29-0 all-time, and has won 19 straight season openers. Duquesne's only FBS win came in 2021 against Ohio.
How it unfolded
- Sep 2, 2026Duquesne and Air Force release game notes and hold media availability ahead of the Saturday matchup.
- Sep 4, 2026Multiple outlets publish previews, noting Air Force's 29-0 record vs. FCS teams and Duquesne's status as a respected FCS program.
- Sep 5, 2026Game day: Duquesne faces Air Force at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, with kickoff at 1:00 PM ET.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Air Force coach Troy Calhoun and players met with media, focusing on preparation for the season opener.
- Analysts
- Analysts expect Air Force to win decisively, citing their dominant ground game and Duquesne's struggles against FBS opponents.