1939 Duquesne Dukes football team

The 1939 Duquesne Dukes football team was an American football team that represented Duquesne University as an independent the 1939 college football season. In their first year under head coach Aldo Donelli, the Dukes compiled an 8–0–1 record, shut out five of nine opponents, outscored all opponents by a total of 152 to 43, and were ranked No. 10 in the final AP poll^[1] and No. 32 in the final Litkenhous Ratings.^[2]

For the second time in four years, the Dukes upset cross-town rivals Pittsburgh, this time as the Panthers were the number one team in the AP poll.^[3]

Tackle Carl Nery won third-team honors on the 1939 All-America team and second-team honors on the All-Eastern team.^[4][5] Other key players included halfback/fullback George Gonda.^[6]

The team played its home games at Forbes Field (five games) and Pitt Stadium (two games) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

^[14]

On October 21, 1939, the Pitt Panthers and Duquesne Dukes played their final football game. The athletic department felt that the Panthers needed to schedule teams from the Western Conference (Big Ten), so the intra-city series against the Dukes was scratched.^[15] Pitt led the series 5–1. Duquesne's only victory was a 7–0 upset in 1936. Jack Sell of the Post-Gazette felt that the situation was ripe for another Duquesne upset since Pitt had played three hard games, and was looking ahead to a game at Fordham the following week.^[16] Donelli's Dukes were undefeated and unscored upon with victories over Illinois Wesleyan (31–0), Waynesburg (20–0) and Manhattan (7–0).^[17]

In front of a disappointing crowd of 23,000 fans, Pitt scored two touchdowns in the opening quarter to take a 13–0 lead. The Duquesne Dukes then scored the final 21 points of the contest to upset the No. 1 Panthers, 21–13. After 13 minutes of exchanging punts to gain field position, Pitt scored twice in 1 minute and 20 seconds. Pitt end Joe Rettinger blocked a Carl Nery punt that fell out of bounds on the Duquesne eight-yard line. On third down Ernest Bonelli went over center for the touchdown. Ben Kish's placement kick went wide left. Duquesne returned the kickoff to their nine-yard line, so they punted on first down. Pitt gained possession on their own 47-yard line. On first down Bonelli picked up 34 yards. Then Emil Narick passed 19-yards to Joe Rettinger for the touchdown, Rettinger added the point after. Late in the second quarter Pitt's James Thurbon shanked a punt and the Dukes gained possession on the Panthers' 26-yard line. A 20-yard pass completion followed by a 5-yard penalty placed the ball on the 1-yard line. 15 seconds before halftime, George Gonda scored the touchdown and Carl Nery added the point. The third quarter was scoreless, but Duquesne had possession in Pitt territory as the fourth period started. The Dukes punted and Pitt was backed up on their 18-yard line. An errant center snap bounced off of Cassiano's shoulder and into the arms of Duquesne end John Yacina. He ran unmolested for the score and John Rokiskey's placement put the Dukes ahead 14 to 13. The last gasp Panther offensive drive ended when they failed to convert a fourth down and 2 to go on the Duquesne 37-yard line. The Duquesne offense responded with an 8-play 63-yard drive. Philip Ahwesh completed a 19-yard pass to Rokiskey for the touchdown and Rokiskey added the placement to complete the upset.^[18][19]

Donelli told The Press: "I can't say too much about how this team came from behind, after trailing by 13 points. Most of our boys had never been behind in a varsity game, and the way they continued to fight for all they were worth represents more than all the victories in the world. That was victory in itself."^[20]

Coach Bowser stated: "Sometimes you're up, and then again – well, we weren't up today. Duquesne just outplayed us, I guess." Dick Cassiano added: "I guess we can't expect to win every time. But gosh, of all the games to lose – this is the toughest one to take."^[21]