"Academics comes first, but football is still an important part of my life," said senior linebacker Greg Hough, who has a 3.0 grade point average as an entrepreneurship and marketing major. "This is my 15th season playing football. It's something I've always loved to do."

After a standout career at Pine-Richland High School, he went to Pitt and joined the football team as a walk-on. He practiced but didn't play and decided to transfer to Duquesne. "I wanted to try Division I [at Pitt] because I didn't want to look back and say I passed up an experience at that level."

Hough's answer was somewhat surprising when he was asked if football ever interferes with his academics.

"It's easier to get work done during the season than out of season because I can't procrastinate. I have to budget my time," he said. "I like to think I motivate myself and when it comes down to it, you have to do it. Football is really good at relieving stress and that can help in other areas of my life."

The only conflicts occur when Hough has to leave practice early for a night class or misses a Friday class because of travel to a game.

"I bring a book with me on the bus and you can take tests early as long as you make plans in advance," he said. "Schooling is definitely more important than football, but I'd love to give football a shot after I graduate if there's an opportunity."