MANKATO, Minn. --- The top-rated Minnesota State football team wraps up its regular season schedule on Saturday as it hosts the Upper Iowa Peacocks at Blakeslee Stadium. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 416-377-28 (.523) in 821 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922.  Minnesota State is in its seventh season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 61-9 (.871) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 19 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. Last season, the Mavericks won the NSIC Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Grabbing the Reigns: The 2014 season marks the fifth season with head coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his five seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 44-13 (.771) record, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

Mutual History: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Peacocks represents the ninth all-time meeting between them. MSU has won all eight of the previous encounters, including a 73-7 win in Fayette last season.

Junior Chad Zastrow tallied 162 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Peacocks last season. Junior Justin Otto also recorded a team-high five tackles, including two for a loss, while senior Nathan Hancock recorded one interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 10-0 overall and 6-0 in NSIC South Division competition last Saturday as it defeated the Wayne State Wildcats 49-0 on the road. The Mavericks have now won at least a share of the NSIC South Division Championship and can secure at least a share of the NSIC Championship with a win over Upper Iowa.

Sophomore Nick Pieruccini tallied 91 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Wildcats, to go along with 297 passing yards and a touchdown pass. Both senior Dorian Buford and Austin Rieder each tallied 108 receiving yards, with Rieder catching a touchdown pass.

Senior Nathan Hancock, along with juniors Tyler Henderson and Josh Gordon, each tallied a team-high six tackles, while senior Kris Fleigle returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.

As a team, MSU has tallied 4,577 yards of total offense on the season, including 2,601 yards on the ground. The Mavericks have also posted 440 points through 10 games.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks have three shutouts on the season and have only allowed a total of 115 points through 10 games. The three shutouts this season are the most since the 1972 season when the Mavericks posted four shutouts.

Concerning the Peacocks: The Upper Iowa Peacocks enter the weekend the owners of a 6-4 record, including a 2-4 record in NSIC South Division play. Last weekend, the Peacocks fell to the Sioux Falls Cougars 45-21 in Sioux Falls.

Cole Jaeschke has completed 290-of-475 passes for 3,187 yards and 21 touchdowns, compared to 11 interceptions.
Chris Smith leads the Peacock rushing attack with 1,114 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. He is currently averaging 139.2 yards per game.

Shay Gutman leads the UIU receiving corps with 857 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches. Derek Giesking also has 808 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.

On defense, Alex Wahl leads the Peacocks with 117 tackles, including one for a loss. Tyler Fisher currently boasts 86 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss as well.

Chayz Holt leads Upper Iowa with seven interceptions.

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