Today's matchup between Robert Morris and Duquesne is the signature game for two teams fighting for their niche in the city's college football landscape.

Although both teams are under the NCAA Division I-AA umbrella, Robert Morris has offered the equivalent of 10 full athletic scholarships this year for the first time while Duquesne continues to provide financial aid based solely on need.

Today's non-league game starts at 1 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium.

"This game means a lot to us," Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt said. "We want to win all the games on our schedule."

The Dukes (0-1), a prohibitive favorite to win their eighth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship, are ranked No. 5 in The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major poll. The unranked Colonials (0-1), who have tied a school record with six losses in a row dating to last season, are picked to finish near the bottom of the Northeast Conference.

Duquesne has won three of the past four meetings, but Robert Morris leads the series, 4-3.

"You always want to beat your rival," Robert Morris coach Joe Walton said. "It's big for Duquesne. It's big for Robert Morris."

Duquesne is coming off a 31-28 overtime loss against Bucknell in which the Bison scored on backup quarterback Terrance Wilson's 15-yard scramble on the final play of regulation to make the score 28-28. Duquesne's rebuilt offensive line with five new starters provided protection for Scott Knapp to pass for 348 yards and two touchdowns and opened up holes for Jeremy McCullough to rush for a career-high 126 yards on 17 carries.

Robert Morris, which led, 14-0, late in the third quarter of a 21-14 defeat against Dayton, started two freshmen and had eight on the first- and second-team depth chart. Sophomore Erik Cwalinski passed for 278 yards and two touchdowns and freshman Brian Harden rushed for 48 yards on 17 carries.

In other key games:

California (1-0) at Bloomsburg (0-1), 1 p.m. -- A crossover matchup in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference between California, the team to beat in the West, and Bloomsburg, the favorite in the East. ... Bloomsburg could be without star tailback Jamar Brittingham, who missed the 14-3 defeat against Division I-AA power James Madison because of a strained left knee that occurred in a preseason scrimmage. Brittingham was the PSAC East player of the year last season when he set school records and led Division II with 2,260 yards rushing and 31 touchdowns. He also had 20 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns. ... Bloomsburg's defensive unit, which limited James Madison to 219 yards and forced nine punts, was named the PSAC East defensive player of the week. ... Sophomore Brandon Lombardy, who ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start in a 26-9 victory against Fairmont State, is PSAC West offensive player of the week. ... Bloosmburg is 13th and California 17th in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.

Allegheny (1-0) at Washington & Jefferson (0-1), 6:30 p.m. -- W&J's 32-14 defeat against Salisbury was its first season-opening loss since 1996 and the 179 offensive yards by the Presidents was their lowest since they had 150 against Buffalo State in a snowstorm in 2002. W&J linebacker David Glitz had 16 tackles against Salisbury. ... Allegheny opened with a 35-10 victory against Westminster as Jimmy Savage passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns. ... W&J has won the past three meetings and 10 of 11.

Thiel (1-0) at Alfred (0-0), 1 p.m. -- Thiel's Steve Minton, the school's fifth all-time rusher with 2,001 yards, ran for 75 and a 1-yard touchdown in a 7-0 victory against Geneva. ... Alfred returns 17 starters from a 9-2 team, led by quarterback Paul Keeley (2,173 yards, 21 TDs), wide receiver Trevor Bork (50 catches, 572 yards, 4 TDs) and tailback Elmer Newsome (1,230 yards, 7 TDs).

IUP (0-0) at Cheyney (0-1), 1 p.m. -- Lou Tepper, who guided Edinboro to a share of the PSAC West title in each of the past three seasons, makes his debut as IUP's head coach. ... IUP has had 23 consecutive non-losing seasons since a 4-6 record in 1982. ... IUP quarterback Kevin Weidl will start after sitting out last season because of a university disciplinary action for his involvement in an off-campus incident. He was the starter in 2003 and 2004 and was all-PSAC West second-team both years.