LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Embattled Nebraska coach Scott Frost said Tuesday there is no tension between him and new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple following the Cornhuskers’ season-opening loss to Northwestern in Ireland.

Frost, 15-30 over five seasons, said in his remarks minutes after the 31-28 loss that the Huskers need to be more creative on offense and the coaching staff must work together better.

His comments were interpreted in some quarters as criticism of Whipple, who took over the play-calling duties from Frost when he was hired away from Pittsburgh.

Asked at his weekly news conference if he and Whipple were at odds, Frost said, “No, not at all. He’s really smart. Really good at what he does. We have a lot of other coaches who are really smart and good at what they do. We need to find our rhythm of putting all the best stuff together. I thought it was good on Saturday. It can be better.”

Whipple is scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday. The Huskers play North Dakota this weekend.

Frost had called plays for nearly a decade, since his time as an assistant at Oregon, and he understands the singular focus the task requires.

“Simply said, if I was calling a game, I wouldn’t want somebody else shoving a lot of stuff down my throat,” he said. “You get in a rhythm as a play-caller. That’s the approach I took. Whip’s an elite play-caller. I think that showed up in the first two-and-a-half quarters. You see what can be done with this offense.”

In the first half, the Huskers’ offense was as sharp as it’s been at any point in the Frost era. But it bogged down in the middle of the third quarter and never recovered, and the running game did next to nothing besides Anthony Grant’s 46-yard touchdown run.

Frost has taken full blame for his ill-advised call for an onside kick when the Huskers led Northwestern 28-17 in the third quarter. The Wildcats recovered at the Nebraska 44, seized the momentum and scored two touchdowns while the Huskers’ offense went dormant.

Frost raised eyebrows with two postgame comments. First, he said, “I think we’re going to have to learn as an offensive staff that you’ve got to be a little creative in this league.”

Later, he acknowledged it’s been difficult for him to give up play-calling.

“I’ve said this, there’s no one way to do things, but I think we can cooperate a little bit more,” he said.

The Huskers rushed for only 110 yards, mostly on plays run between the tackles.

“In the Big Ten it’s hard to just turn around and hand it to a back and think you’re going to be real consistent,” he said Tuesday. “I think I was referring (in the Saturday postgame) to having a few more things in the run game that are schemed for the particular opponent.”

There was one designed run for quarterback Casey Thompson, his 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and backup Logan Smothers entered for one play and carried for 7 yards.

Asked if he would have liked to run the quarterback more, Frost said, “We did run some of it. If I was calling it, maybe we’d call a little more, but I also wouldn’t have been able to call the things (Whipple) did to score us the first 28 points. It’s going to have to be a marriage of different things and I think we’ll continue to get better at that.”

The Huskers finished with 465 yards, but they netted just 84 on their last six possessions.

“It was 75 plays on offense, and not a lot of complaints about the play calls from my end,” said Thompson, who passed for 355 yards. “I think every run and pass play we could have executed. We have to make a few changes and adjustments.”

Husker Football Gameday Information

Fans are reminded to arrive early and plan ahead to find an appropriate parking location, entrance gate, restroom, concession stand and postgame meeting place. They are also advised to stay hydrated and follow the instructions of security and safety officials.

The northeast corner of Memorial Stadium will be open this season, making all gates accessible.

Nebraska has a clear-bag policy for all ticketed sporting events. Each attendee will be allowed to enter with one clear bag: either a plastic, vinyl or PVC bag that does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar). Small clutches — approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap — can be taken into the stadium along with one of the clear bags. The clutch cannot be larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Clear backpacks, string bags and fanny packs are prohibited.

Exceptions will be made for approved medical needs. Medical bags or equipment can be inspected and tagged at Gates 11 and 15 and at premium-level lobbies. For questions about medical equipment or other needs, contact the Nebraska Athletic Event Management and Operations Office at 402-472-1003 or visit http://huskers.com/operations.

All other purses and bags are prohibited. Guests carrying bags that do not meet the criteria will be asked to return them to their vehicles, hotel rooms or homes. Fans also may transfer their personal items into a provided, clear, Ziploc-style bag and discard the bag that does not meet the guidelines.

Guests can carry personal items in their pockets or jackets. These include keys, makeup, feminine products, combs, phones, wallets and credit cards. Attendees also may bring blankets into the stadium by carrying them over a shoulder or arm. Guests who don't have a bag can use the express entry lanes at Gates 2, 4, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 20.

For more information on the clear-bag policy, visit http://huskers.com/operations.

Gameday information:

> Gates 1, 6, 8, 18, 19 and 21 will close shortly after kickoff.  If a gate is closed, fans can use the next open gate to gain access into the stadium. Fans will be required to open outer garments for visual inspection upon entry.

> Fans who have mobile tickets are encouraged to save them to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps before arrival on game day. For more information and step-by-step videos on mobile tickets and how to transfer them, visit https://huskers.com/operations.

> Tickets at all gates will be scanned with an optical reader for entry and re-entry. No entry is allowed after the start of the fourth quarter.

> Fans will again have the ability to utilize Memorial Stadium's text-messaging service. For fan assistance, text to 402-472-0800. Standard text-message rates will apply.

> University of Nebraska–Lincoln students will be seated in Sections 9 through 13B in the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium. All student seating is general admission. Students will need to enter the gate printed on their ticket (Gate 23 or 24) and sit in the corresponding seating area. All student tickets are delivered to their mobile device, which will be scanned at the gate for admission. Students are encouraged to save their mobile tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps before arrival on game day. Tickets must be scanned in and out like a regular ticket. Student ticket transfers may be done with other students enrolled at the university. All transfers are done electronically from ticket accounts at http://www.huskers.com. Student-to-student transfers are delivered as a mobile ticket to the receiving students' account. Students may not transfer tickets to non-students.

> Fans are asked to help the Go Green for Big Red recycling program by depositing plastic bottles and cups in marked recycling bins near trash receptacles.

> Memorial Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and ticket holders are encouraged to enter the gate number printed on their tickets. Fans are encouraged to travel light when trying to gain entry to Memorial Stadium, as all fans and their belongings are subject to inspection at stadium entrances. Fans are encouraged to review the list of prohibited items at http://www.huskers.com/operations. All prohibited items must be discarded at the gate or returned to a vehicle, hotel room or home. Unattended bags are prohibited.

> Husker Fan Zone (former the Husker Nation Pavilion) has been relocated due to the Go Big project. A scaled-down version will be available outside Gates 22 and 23, near the southeast corner of the stadium. It will open three hours before kickoff and close 30 minutes before kickoff.

> Food and beverage vendors, along with sponsorship activations, will be open to the public outside the east and west sides of the stadium. Food and beverages from approved vendors are allowed inside the stadium.

Memorial Stadium policies:

> The Athletic Ticket Office will open four hours before kickoff except for 11 a.m. games, when it will open at 8 a.m.

> The Huskers Shop will open three to five hours before kickoff, depending on start time. Outside locations and pop-up shops inside the stadium will also be available.

> Mobile tickets will be accepted; tickets can be stored on mobile devices and scanned at the gates.

> Outside chairbacks are not allowed in Memorial Stadium. About 20,000 chairback seats will be available for rental at $5 each. Seat cushions are permitted if they are a plain cushion with no straps, zippers or back rest.

> Escalator and elevator access will be restricted to fans holding tickets to their respective areas in the premium level and the 300 and 600 East Stadium level.

> The University of Nebraska–Lincoln prohibits the use of all smoking, tobacco and vaping products on its properties. For more information, visit https://go.unl.edu/iez5.

> The following items are prohibited in Memorial Stadium: guns, knives, bags that do not meet the clear-bag policy above, glass, cans, coolers, beverage containers, video cameras, open umbrellas and pets. At the discretion of game management, other items are subject to being prohibited. People will be asked to return prohibited items to their vehicles, hotel rooms or homes. Unattended bags are prohibited, and Nebraska Athletics will not store personal belongings on site. Empty water bottles are permitted but may be inspected. The use of selfie sticks inside Memorial Stadium is prohibited and may result in confiscation of the device if seen used. Camera use is permitted. For specific information, visit http://huskers.com/operations.

> Food and beverages from approved game-day vendors selling on university grounds are allowed inside the stadium. All other food and beverages are prohibited. Certain situations may arise (e.g., extreme heat) that initiate exceptions to this policy. The university and the athletic department will communicate to the public if exceptions will be made.

> Alcoholic beverages of any type are not allowed in the stadium. In addition, consumption of alcohol is prohibited in city and university parking lots and property.

> The university does not permit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on or over the campus on football game days.

> Throwing of any object in the stadium is prohibited. Any person throwing any object is subject to immediate removal from the stadium. Rules allow game officials to penalize the home team if objects are thrown onto the playing field.

> Nebraska event staff or security personnel can help with any problems fans may encounter. If fans become separated from family or friends, they should report to any First Aid station or Guest Services booth for assistance.

> Lost-and-found areas are located in the Guest Relations and Security offices in both the East and West stadiums.

Parking and traffic policies and procedures:

> Most parking lots on City Campus are reserved for those who have paid reservations on game days. Most lots surrounding the stadium have been converted to reserved stalls, with patrons assigned to specific numbered stalls. Paid public parking on City Campus is available at $25 per stall. Visa, Mastercard and Discover will be accepted. Cash will not be accepted this year.

> Parking for people with disabilities is available for $25 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis in the Lot 9 parking garage at the corner of Salt Creek Roadway and North 14th Street; east of Morrill Hall; at 14th and R streets; and at 15th and S streets. Lot 9 has a free cart-shuttle service to the stadium for mobility-impaired guests. This shuttle is radio-equipped and will run to and from the stadium before the game and beginning at the start of the fourth quarter. Shuttles will be limited to specific drop-off and pickup locations (north and east) and will not transport a guest outside the predefined route. If guests are not able to make it to their vehicle or gate entry point outside this route, medical personnel can be called to the location for assistance. Charter and shuttle-bus parking is available on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.

> Parking lots will open at 6 a.m. for games with kickoff scheduled before 6 p.m.; for games that start at 6 p.m. or later, lots will open at 11 a.m. Lots at Haymarket Park will open at 6 a.m. for games with kickoff scheduled at 11 a.m; for all other kickoff times, these lots will open at 8 a.m.

> Faculty and staff permit parking areas — including reserved, non-reserved and garages — are reassigned on home football game days. Campus parking permit holders cannot park in most standard assigned parking areas during game-day preparation and activities. Parking areas close at 10 p.m. the night before a home game. Vehicles parked in violation of campus rules can be ticketed and towed. Vehicles with faculty and staff event stickers or hangtag permits may park in these areas on game days: the surface lots at 16th and X streets (east side of 16th Street near the Boathouse) and 1700 Y St.; the perimeter lot at 15th and Court streets; and the Devaney Sports Center lots at 16th and Court streets. For more information, contact Parking and Transit Services at 402-472-1800 or [email protected] or visit https://parking.unl.edu.

> Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on game days.

> StarTran will offer the Big Red Express shuttle service to and from the stadium from sites around Lincoln. For additional information and updated pricing, go to http://startran.lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-476-1234. Game-by-game and season passes are available, with drop-off and pick-up close to the stadium.

> Fan drop-off attempts around the stadium are prohibited. Uber, Lyft and taxi drop-offs and pickups will be at 14th and Vine streets.

> Up-to-date statewide road information can be found at http://511.nebraska.gov. Highway conditions and a brief weather report can be obtained by calling 511 on a landline or cellphone.

> Fans should be mindful of city road and building construction near the stadium. For more details, visit https://go.unl.edu/d4kz.

> Stadium Drive is closed from T to V streets beginning at 6 a.m. on game days. Access to Lots 1, 3, 4 and 6 are via T Street. No vehicles will have access to the southbound Ninth Street roundabout pre- and postgame.

> For suggested driving routes to leave the stadium area, visit https://huskers.com/operations. Athletic officials and the University Police Department work closely with Waze to plan appropriate game-day traffic patterns. Fans are encouraged to download the Waze app at https://huskers.com/sports/2020/7/13/football-parking-directions.aspx.

Game Week: North Dakota

NEBRASKA vs. NORTH DAKOTA
SEPT. 3, 2022 | MEMORIAL STADIUM
LINCOLN, NEB. | 2:30 PM (CT)

BROADCAST INFO
TV - Fox
RADIO NETWORK - Huskers Radio Network (Greg Sharpe, Matt Davison, Jessica Coody) - 98.7 FM in Sidney
INTERNET RADIO - Huskers.com
APP AUDIO - Official Huskers App

HUSKERS
Record: 0-1, 0-1 B1G
Last Game: vs. Northwestern (L, 31-28)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Scott Frost
Career/NU Record: 34-37 (7th Year)/15-30 (5th Year)
vs. North Dakota: First Meeting

FIGHTING HAWKS
Record: 0-0, 0-0 MVFC
Last Game: at South Dakota State (L, 24-21 in '21)
Rankings: NR
Coach: Bubba Schweigert
Career/UND Record: 69-61 (12th Year)/47-40 (9th Year)
vs. Nebraska: First Meeting

SERIES HISTORY
All-Time Series: Nebraska leads, 1-0
In Lincoln: Nebraska leads, 1-0
Last Game: Nebraska, 33-0 (9/23/1961)
Win Streak: Nebraska 1 game

The Matchup
Nebraska opens its 2022 home schedule on Saturday afternoon when the Huskers welcome the North Dakota Fighting Hawks to Memorial Stadium. Game time in Lincoln is set for shortly after 2:30 p.m. CT with BTN providing television coverage.

Nebraska heads into the contest with an 0-1 record following a 31-28 season-opening loss against Northwestern last Saturday in the Aer Lingus Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. Nebraska twice held 11-point leads against the Wildcats, but Northwestern rallied in the second half for the three-point victory. The Nebraska offense showed its explosiveness in the loss, racking up 465 yards, including 355 passing yards.

After opening with a Big Ten Conference game overseas, the Huskers will now settle into their home environment at Memorial Stadium for the next month. The matchup with North Dakota is the first of four straight games in Lincoln. After the UND contest, Nebraska will welcome non-conference opponents Georgia Southern (Sept. 10) and Oklahoma (Sept. 17) to Lincoln before opening its Big Ten home schedule against Indiana on Oct. 1.

North Dakota will be opening its 2021 season on Saturday in Lincoln. The Fighting Hawks posted a 5-6 record last season against one of the nation's most difficult FCS schedules. North Dakota's five FCS losses last season were all by seven or fewer points, with each of the setbacks coming against 2021 FCS playoff participants.

Nebraska and North Dakota have met just one time previously, with the Huskers opening the 1961 season with a 33-0 shutout over North Dakota at Memorial Stadium.

Series History: Nebraska vs. North Dakota
Saturday's game is the second all-time meeting between Nebraska and North Dakota. Nebraska defeated North Dakota, 33-0, in the 1961 season opener in the only other meeting between the schools. Nebraska and UND are scheduled to meet again in 2026 in Lincoln.

Saturday's game will mark Nebraska's 14th game all-time against an FCS foe (at time of game), with the Huskers holding a 13-0 record in those contests.

• Nebraska defeated Fordham 52-7 last season in its first game against an FCS opponent since 2018.

• All of Nebraska's games against FCS opponents have occurred since 1992, including facing an FCS opponent for five straight seasons from 2010 to 2014.

Nebraska Home Opener History
Nebraska opens its seven-game home schedule on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers have won three of four home openers under Scott Frost. Overall, Nebraska has been victorious in
34 of its past 36 home openers.

• This marks the third consecutive season Nebraska has opened away from Memorial Stadium. Prior to the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Nebraska had not opened away from Lincoln since 1999.

Huskers Hit Rare 300-100-100 Combo in Opener
The Nebraska offense reached a rare milestone in the season opener against Northwestern on Saturday. The Huskers recorded a 300-yard passer with Casey Thompson throwing for 355 yards, a 100-yard rusher in Anthony Grant, who had 101 yards and two touchdowns, and a 100-yard receiver with Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda catching four passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.

• Saturday's game marked just the eighth time in school history Nebraska has produced a game with a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver.

• Three of the eight games have come during Scott Frost's tenure as head coach, most recently in a 42-38 win at Illinois in 2019. Nebraska also accomplished the trifecta in a 2018 matchup against Purdue.

This Week's Numbers
14 - Saturday's game marks Nebraska's 14th all-time matchup with a Football Championship Subdivision opponent. The Huskers have won each of the 13 prior matchups against FCS foes, including a 52-7 victory over Fordham last season.

100 - Nebraska had both a 100-yard rusher (Anthony Grant) and 100-yard receiver (Isaiah Garcia-Castenada) in the season opener against Northwestern. That marked the first time the Huskers had both a runner and receiver top the century mark since 2021 against Northwestern.

300 - Quarterback Casey Thompson cracked the 300-yard passing barrier against the Wildcats with 355 yards through the air. His 355-yard outing was the most ever by a Nebraska player in a season opener, bettering Taylor Martinez's 354 yards vs. Southern Miss in 2012.

Meet the Media: North Dakota

Head Coach Scott Frost and Nebraska football players met with members of the media Tuesday to preview Saturday's home opener with North Dakota at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff between the Huskers and the Fighting Hawks in Lincoln is set for 2:30 p.m. (CT) with live television coverage from BTN. The game can also be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.
 
Nebraska will be facing North Dakota for just the second time in school history, despite the traditions of both programs going back to the early 1890s. The Huskers met North Dakota in the 1961 season opener at Memorial Stadium and rolled to a 33-0 victory in front of 25,129 fans on Sept. 23.

Transcripts from Coach Frost and select players can be found below:

Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost (Quotes)

Quarterback Casey Thompson (Quotes)
Edge Caleb Tannor (Quotes)
Defensive Back Quinton Newsome (Quotes)

New, improved quarterbacks give some Big Ten teams new look

Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski looked like a different player in a season-opening win.

Tommy DeVito and Casey Thompson were the new faces of Illinois and Nebraska football.

Connor Bazelak could do the same thing for Indiana.

In a Big Ten packed with familiar faces at football's toughest position, some of the new and improved quarterbacks are giving fans some early-season hope.