UND Coach Eric Schmidt Takes It Easy on Late‑Night Kickoff vs. Portland State

Grand Forks – When asked about the 9 p.m. kickoff on Saturday against Portland State, UND head coach Eric Schmidt smiled, shrugged, and basically told reporters it was "no big deal." He sounded relaxed, almost as if he were talking about a Tuesday practice rather than a prime‑time game.

Schmidt’s tone was casual, but his message was clear: the team will focus on the same things that have gotten them off to a solid 2‑0 start – good blocking, disciplined tackling, and keeping the ball moving. "We’ve got a routine, we stick to it," he said, adding that the later start won’t change the fundamentals the players have been working on all week.

He did acknowledge the extra hours on the bus and the fact that the kids will be playing under the lights, but he dismissed those as “just part of the job.” The coach even joked that the players might get an extra night of sleep, or at worst, a chance to practice a few more minutes of snap counts on the field before the crowds arrive.

Behind the calm exterior, Schmidt noted that the Fighting Hawks have been ironing out a few kinks, especially in the running game. After a dominant 62‑26 win over St. Thomas, the offense has started to string together longer runs – a welcome sign after a modest 13‑yard longest rush in the season opener against LIU. "We’re seeing more consistency there, and that gives us confidence heading into Portland," Schmidt added.

He also reminded everyone that the Big Sky schedule is a marathon, not a sprint. A late kickoff on a Saturday is just another mile marker. "It’s about staying ready, staying focused, and playing the way we practiced,” Schmidt said, ending on a note that was as much a pep talk as a reassurance to the media.

So, while the clock may read 9 p.m. on Saturday, Schmidt’s message was simple: the time on the dial won’t dictate the outcome. The Hawks will take the field, play their game, and let the scoreboard tell the story.