Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule addressed the media on Monday at the Hawks Championship Center, reflecting on the Huskers’ explosive 56‑7 victory over Bowling Green and previewing the upcoming week three clash with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
Rhule lauds offensive line and quarterback play
“Coach Schmidt’s done a great job,” Rhule said, referencing North Dakota’s coach. “The offensive line is probably one of the best, well‑coached offensive lines I’ve seen. They’ve got good players and they play really well together. The quarterback, Kaminski, makes the whole thing go. They’ve got wideouts who can get open, you know. First two games they had 42 points at halftime. You know it’s really hard to do. We couldn’t do it on Saturday.”
Rhule’s comments underscored the Huskers’ own performance. Nebraska entered the game 2‑0 and posted a 56‑7 offensive explosion, showcasing a balanced attack that will be crucial against a North Dakota team that averages over 50 points per game.
North Dakota arrives as a high‑scoring threat
The Fighting Hawks (3‑0) compete in the Missouri Valley Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). In the latest FCS coaches poll, they sit at No. 6 nationally. Their three wins – over Long Island (42‑21), Portland State (47‑23) and St. Thomas (62‑26) – have come with an average of 50.33 points and 540 yards of offense per contest.
Quarterback Jerry Kaminski has thrown 11 touchdown passes on 61 of 79 attempts, posting 267 passing yards per game with two interceptions. Running backs Charles Langama and Matt Lawson contribute 84.67 and 51.67 rushing yards per game, respectively.
Defensive strengths and weaknesses
In 2025, North Dakota allowed just 19.9 points per game, and this season its defense has limited opponents to under 300 total yards on average. However, the Huskers’ own defense will need to stay disciplined, as the Fighting Hawks have shown the ability to move the ball quickly and score in bursts.
Game outlook and predictions
Local analysts have projected comfortable victories for Nebraska. Nick Eriksen predicts a 56‑14 win, Will Charlton sees a 42‑3 margin, and Lowden Askins forecasts 35‑10. The kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Rhule concluded by emphasizing preparation and faith in his players. “We’re focused on executing our game plan, staying disciplined, and trusting the process that got us here,” he said. “If we keep playing the way we did against Bowling Green, we’ll give our fans something to be proud of.”
Fans can watch the full press conference on the KLKN website.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
