From Manhattan to the Plains: Can K‑State Know‑How Give UND a Fighting Edge in Lincoln?

When the Fighting Hawks touch down at Memorial Stadium next Saturday, the odds will certainly favor the Cornhuskers. The Huskers are a 3‑0, 86,000‑strong crowd, a sea of scarlet and white, and a team that’s already piled up more than 400 yards of offense in each of its first two games. That’s a lot of pressure for a program that’s still finding its footing in the FCS.

But there’s a new variable in the mix for North Dakota – a taste of Big‑12 football baked into its play‑calling staff. Earlier this offseason, head coach Eric Schmidt hired former Kansas State offensive line guru Tyler Cox as an associate head coach. Cox spent six years under the tutelage of Chris Klieman, absorbing a brand‑of‑the‑play that mixes power‑run schemes with quick‑release passing concepts. Schmidt says the addition is “like adding a few extra pieces to a puzzle that already looks a bit chaotic.”

What does that mean on the field? For one, the Hawks now have a coach who knows how to grind out yards against teams that dominate the line of scrimmage. At K‑State, Cox helped develop a unit that logged a 7.3 yards‑per‑carry average in 2025 – a stat that could help UND counter Nebraska’s stout defensive front, which has already posted double‑digit sacks in two of its three contests.

Of course, the memory of last weekend’s 34‑7 defeat still stings. UND’s offense, which has been lighting up the scoreboard – 50‑plus points per game early in the season – suddenly found itself limited to 205 total yards. That was a wake‑up call, and Schmidt is quick to point out that the loss was as much a mental test as a physical one.

“We walked onto that field and heard the roar of a stadium we’ve only ever watched on TV,” Schmidt told the Grand Forks Herald. “It’s humbling, but it also reminds us why we love this game. The Kansas State guys taught me that preparation isn’t just film – it’s also about the little habits that keep you focused when the lights go out.”

That preparation will be on display in the early‑game scripts. Expect UND to lean on a quick‑hitting run game, using misdirection to force the Huskers’ linebackers to bite, then peppering the middle with short passes that exploit the gaps created by the defensive line’s aggression. If the new offensive line coach’s playbook is any indication, the Hawks will also try a few jet‑sweep combos – a staple of the K‑State attack that can catch a larger defense off‑balance.

Defensively, the Hawks are still figuring out how to contain a Nebraska offense that can switch from a ground‑and‑pound attack to a spread‑air game in a single series. The K‑State influence may show up in the secondary’s zone coverage adjustments, aiming to keep the Cornhuskers’ quarterback from finding the seams he’s so fond of exploiting in the Big Ten.

Even if the final score still leans heavily toward Lincoln, there’s a hidden win for UND if they can prove they’re not just another “easy win” on Nebraska’s schedule. A tighter margin, a couple of big plays, and a few stolen moments of momentum could fuel recruiting talks back in Grand Forks, convincing local talent that the Fighting Hawks are evolving.

In short, the Kansas State seasoning may not flip the script entirely, but it adds a layer of polish that could keep UND from being completely overwhelmed. As Schmidt put it, “We may not be giants, but we can certainly learn to swing the club with a little more finesse.”