Week 3 Might Be a Big Coaching Challenge for Nebraska's Matt Rhule

After two blowout wins, Rhule must convince his players not to overlook Saturday’s opponent from the FCS, the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota.

Isaiah Mozee celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Bowling Green Falcons | Dylan Widger | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The last two times Nebraska faced FCS teams, they beat Northern Iowa 34-3 in 2024 and Houston Christian 59-7 last season.

Like those opponents, the University of North Dakota is an FCS
program. UND is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and
plays its home games in the Alerus Center, an indoor arena that seats 12,283 for football.

UND went 8-6 last year under first-year head coach Eric Schmidt. They
lost to Kansas State 35-38, lost at home to powerhouse North Dakota
State (10-15) and lost in overtime to South Dakota State 31-34.

Just a couple of plays kept the Fighting Hawks from having 11 wins and
competing for a national championship last year.

But Danny Boy, you’re talking about an FCS natty - not an FBS
championship with the Big Boys in the Power Four conferences.

And for the record, Nebraska is 2-0 all-time against the Hawks, winning
in Memorial Stadium in 1961 (33-0) and in 2022 (38-17).

So what’s there to sweat about?

Maybe nothing. But I’ve been saying for years the Nebraska football
program cannot afford to overlook any team. The Huskers aren’t good
enough right now to do so.

Husker fans remember all too well when NU has stubbed its toe against non-Power Four teams in the last decade. The Huskers lost to Northern Illinois in 2017 (17-21), to Troy in 2018 (19-24) and to Georgia Southern in 2022 (42-45).

But what about UND this year? Don’t look now, but UND is 3-0 and is
averaging over 50 points a game on offense and is surrendering about
23 points per game on defense.

Yes, their wins have been over Long Island (42-21), St. Thomas (62-26) and
Portland State (47-23), but UND knows how to win.

North Dakota has nothing to lose. They won’t be intimidated by the
venue or the 85,000 partisan Husker fans.

The Fighting Hawks do have a win over an FBS team. In 2015, UND downed the Wyoming Cowboys 24-13.

Admittedly, the Cowboys weren’t good that year, finishing with a 2-
10. But still....

Okay, maybe Rhule has nothing to worry about. But make no mistake:
the Fighting Hawks are not coming to Memorial Stadium just to get a
paycheck. Buyer beware.

Reasons to Relax

Through their first two games, the Huskers have seen the emergence of a
lot of talented players on offense and defense.

Transfer QB Anthony Colandrea has demonstrated what the
coaches have known for a long time. He is a game-changer. If he stays
healthy, he’ll be a tough out even in the Big Ten. Several running backs
have also emerged as players who can be difference-makers. The
receiving room has shown they can also be dangerous.

So maybe this is a team that might win a few more games this fall. Let’s
hope that on Saturday night in Lincoln, NU takes care of the Fighting Hawks in
proper fashion.

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