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LINCOLN, Neb. — During his weekly press conference this past week, Nebraska football coach Scott Frost was addressing his opponent UND.
"They lost a lot of close games," Frost said. "I don't know how anybody does that."
Frost, of course, was poking fun at himself. The Cornhuskers are 5-21 in one-possession games under Frost.
In fact, when UND and Nebraska face off at 2:30 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., the two teams can bond over similar 2021 fates.
UND went 5-6 in 2021. The Fighting Hawks either had the lead or a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter in all 11 games.
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All four of UND's losses in 2021 against FCS programs came by an average margin of 4.6 points, with four of the five opponents ranked in the polls (two in the Top 5).
Nebraska, meanwhile, finished 3-9 in 2021, with an average margin of loss by 6.67 points.
Six of the nine losses came to teams ranked in the FBS Top 25 (three in the Top 10).
Nebraska had the lead or a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter in eight games.
Here are the details for UND's 2022 season opener:
UND at Nebraska
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Neb. (official capacity 85,458)
TV: Big Ten Network.
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Radio: 96.1 FM (Jack Michaels on play-by-play, Tom Dosch analyst, Paul Ralston sidelines)
Streaming: Big Ten Network.
Betting line: Nebraska -23, over-under 51, per USA Today.
Injuries: The injury picture is unclear as the Fighting Hawks enter Week 1. UND has kept injury information under wraps for the most part through fall camp.
UND running back Luke Skokna has missed a good chunk of fall camp with an injury and isn't expected to play. Skokna, the most veteran of UND's running backs, has been the team's primary punt and kick returner, so that will open opportunities for C.J. Siegel and Marcus Preston as returners.
Offensive guard and junior college transfer Brayden Bryant, expected to start up front this season, is doubtful to play. If Bryant can't go, expect Grand Forks Red River product Peyton Lotysz to see time at guard.
Wide receiver Garett Maag is questionable, as well, but the veteran wide receiver did travel to Lincoln.
The Fighting Hawks need to establish a running game to keep the Nebraska offense on the sideline. That's no easy task considering UND will probably start three first-time college football starters on the offensive line against the Cornhuskers.
How those three new offensive linemen perform will dictate a lot of this matchup.
It's going to be an incredible test for redshirt freshmen Sam Hagen (right tackle) and Danny Carroll (center).
UND will be entering a new era at running back after the departure of Otis Weah in the offseason. Isaiah Smith has shown signs that he's ready for a breakout year in 2022 but he's going to need an offensive line that shows it's better than the 2021 UND offensive front.
The Cornhuskers need to set a tone early and remove any lingering doubts about the 2022 season that might have risen out of the loss against Northwestern last weekend in Ireland.
Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson will need to avoid UND's expected pressure and take advantage of a Fighting Hawks secondary that will feature three new starters including two new starting safeties.
