Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is becoming a familiar face at Duquesne’s home football games.
It’s an exciting moment for most of the Dukes (6-1) when they see Shazier in the stands. But for junior wide receiver Nehari Crawford, it isn’t a surprise.
“They’ll look back and be like ‘Oh snap, Ryan’s here!’” Crawford said of his teammates, laughing. “I’ll say, ‘Yeah I see him, but we gotta focus on the game. We can talk to him after the game.’ “
Crawford, 21, has known Shazier, 25, his entire life. The two are first cousins and have a relationship that Crawford said is similar to that of siblings.
“It’s a brotherly type thing,” Crawford said. “We work out together, we play the game together, we just chill, we do everything. It’s fun. He comes to my games, I go to his games. It’s just support.”
The two grew up an hour and a half apart in Florida — Crawford in Fort Pierce, Shazier farther south in the Fort Lauderdale area. But they attended the same church and saw each other on a weekly basis. Shazier’s dad, Vernon Shazier, is a pastor in Mount Bethel Ministries, which has a campus in both cities.
The Steelers drafted Shazier 16th overall out of Ohio State in 2014. A year later, Crawford committed to Duquesne. Crawford said his decision to come to Pittsburgh wasn’t necessarily just because of his cousin, but having family in the city helps.
“It’s pretty cool, man,” Shazier said. “When he was getting recruited by Duquesne and everything, it was pretty cool because I knew he was thinking about coming up here to Pittsburgh. And I just let him know if you need anything, I’m right here for you, man. It’s been pretty cool, especially seeing him play good this season and playing at the high level he thinks he can play at. It is pretty cool.”
Crawford and Shazier never played on the same team growing up, but they competed against each other often, particularly in foot races. Shazier thinks he’s faster, but Crawford likely would contest that.
Crawford trained some with Shazier over the summer, and the experience of having an NFL player defending him on routes seems to have paid dividends. Crawford is tied for the Football Championship Subdivision lead in receiving touchdowns this season, with 10 after seven games.
“This offseason we [were] running routes against each other, and I was trying to guard him,” Shazier said. “I think it helped me as a linebacker and probably gave him another aspect of what guys are thinking of trying to do against him on defense.”
It also helps that Duquesne graduate transfer quarterback Tommy Stuart has been one of the best FCS quarterbacks. He is tied for fourth overall with 21 touchdown passes heading into the Dukes’ game Saturday at Sacred Heart.
“We call him Tommy Touchdown,” Crawford said. “You never know what Tommy’s going to do. It’s always amazing. Sometimes, it looks like it’ll be a sack, he turns around and comes out running and makes a play.”
Crawford relishes the opportunity to spend time with his cousin. And as a former college football standout himself, Shazier enjoys playing the role of mentor.
“I just let him know to enjoy it and don’t think too far ahead,” Shazier said. “At the end of the day, you don’t want to focus on things that aren’t the present. Play the best you can. He can be the best guy every time he’s out there playing. I just tell him to do what he can. and everything will play out. If he ever needs anything on the field or off ... I’m here for him.”
Robert Morris
Last week, Sacred Heart ran back an interception with 12 seconds remaining to bear Robert Morris, 21-14. The Colonials bring a four-game losing streak to Loretto, Pa., where Saint Francis awaits a week after losing to Duquesne.
Colonials redshirt freshman running back Harrison Dreher was named the Northeast Conference special teams player of the week for his performance against Sacred Heart. He tied a program record with a 100-yard touchdown return.
IUP
At 8-0 overall, the Crimson Hawks are the lone undefeated team in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and might be on upset watch as they return home for the first time in three weeks to face Gannon (3-5, 2-3). The Golden Knights have lost four games this season by eight points or fewer and are coming off a 38-35 loss
With a win, IUP will clinch the PSAC West regular-season title and a spot in the conference championship Nov. 11.
Omari Sankofa II: osankofa@post-gazette.com.
First Published: October 26, 2017, 6:27 p.m.
