From one Memorial Stadium to another, UND says Indiana State has its full attention

The UND football program recently traveled to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they faced off against Indiana State in front of an impressive crowd of over 86,000 fans. Prior to that game, UND had secured a thrilling victory over Valparaiso, drawing an attendance of 3,400 fans at the same venue. This marks the third consecutive week that the Hawks have played away from home, setting the stage for a different experience as they prepare to take on Indiana State in Terre Haute, Indiana.

UND coaches and players are fully focused on Indiana State, acknowledging the team's knack for outperforming expectations within the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Offensive coordinator Danny Freund highlighted the team's home advantage, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive preparation to handle the Sycamores, who are regarded as a formidable opponent.

The 2024 matchup between UND and Indiana State ended in a 35-31 loss for the Hawks, with the Sycamores ranked No. 15 in the FCS at the time. In a similar clash a year earlier, a demanding overtime game at Alerus Field saw UND triumph 36-33. In 2023, Indiana State delivered a significant blow to South Dakota State, a powerhouse in the FCS, claiming a 36-33 victory in Brookings.

UND head coach Eric Schmidt stressed the importance of the team's response to the upcoming game, stating that their goal is to secure a 1-0 record. Schmidt emphasized the significance of the lessons learned from previous losses, stating, "We talk a lot around here about you either win or you learn. I think the only way you lose is if you hit the eject button and quit, or if you don't get the lessons that you need to get in order to learn."

UND returned to their facilities on Sunday with a sense of disappointment after a 34-7 defeat to Nebraska. However, the team's coach emphasized the value of such experiences, stating, "When you put a lot of effort and attention into something and come up short, you're going to hurt."

Facing Indiana State ranked No. 7 in the FCS Top 25 with a 3-1 mark, UND quarterback Jerry Kaminski expressed his team's readiness to start the season strongly, emphasizing the need to create energy and momentum. Kaminski recalled their success against Portland State, aiming to replicate that energy at Indiana State.