UND feels ready for postseason with FCS' No. 1 strength of schedule

Nov. 24—GRAND FORKS — The UND football program enters the FCS playoffs this weekend against an opponent unfamiliar to the Fighting Hawks' roster, coaching staff and fan base.

Tennessee Tech went unbeaten against the FCS this season and ranks No. 6 in Monday's Stats Perform FCS Top 25.

Amid the uncertainty for Saturday's noon first round playoff game in Cookeville, Tenn., the Fighting Hawks can lean on the comfort of possessing the FCS' No. 1 strength of schedule.

"I think that was huge for us," UND coach Eric Schmidt said. "I think that's something that we talk about around here a lot — a philosophy that I really believe in. It's anybody, anywhere, anytime. You know, we want to play in those games."

UND made the 24-team playoff bracket despite a 7-5 record. The Fighting Hawks were rewarded for tight losses to Kansas State, Montana, North Dakota State, South Dakota and South Dakota State. UND's five losses were by a combined 17 points.

"If you can win those games, they're going to set you up to be able to be a national seed and seeded high," Schmidt said. "If you lose those games, I still think if you're competitive in those games, you're going to be matched up against playoff teams (when considering the playoff field) and their resumes and how you fared against those guys."

UND's 2025 schedule was set well before Schmidt took over in Grand Forks in the offseason but he appears set on continuing to put together a challenging non-conference schedule.

"We're trying to schedule a game here yet for next year, and I've talked to a lot of places, a lot of really good programs throughout the country and trying to say, hey man, we'd love to play you here next year," Schmidt said. "I think that's one thing the average fan probably doesn't always dig into all those things as far as what those metrics are but when you get all those committee members and (athletic directors) in a room together, they know some of those conversations and understand ... who's trying to find games. Who wants to play in those types of games and who doesn't? I just think when you're playing in those games and you challenge yourself you've got a chance to be able to get rewarded."

Non-conference isn't the only place UND challenged itself this year. This year's FCS bracket includes six teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

"I'm just most excited for another chance to prove ourselves," UND safety Jy Martin said. "I want to prove to the world who we are and what we can do."

The MVFC has combined for a 40-20 record in the playoffs this decade. The Big Sky Conference is second in total playoff wins in that span with a 21-21 record.

"I think it sharpens us, for sure," UND quarterback Jerry Kaminski said of owning the top strength of schedule. "There's a confidence having played the best teams in the country."

Tennessee Tech plays at 16,500-seat Tucker Stadium, which is in the process of undergoing renovation.

Although one locker room will feature outdoor tents, Schmidt said this situation won't be similar to UND's 2019 playoff game at Nicholls State in which the Hawks had outdoor tents as a locker room.

"It's going to be interesting because they're going through a stadium renovation right now," Schmidt said. "So I know a lot's been made here in the past about tents for locker rooms and things like that. We're actually going to be going inside. They're going to be in the tents. It'll be a little different with the construction. There won't be stands on one side. Other than that, it's just like I always say: We'll go play anybody, anywhere, anytime. So if we've got to walk to get there and put the ball down and play in the street ... we'll do that."