Foreshadowing: After posting a 52-27 victory over Southwest Minnesota State this past weekend, the #1 Minnesota State football team returns home Saturday as it hosts the Winona State Warriors. The opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Our History: The 2013 season marks the school's 87th season playing football. The Mavericks are 402-376-28 (.516) in 806 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922.  Minnesota State is in its sixth season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 49-9 (.844) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 18 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. Last season, the Mavericks advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.

Grabbing the Reigns: The 2013 season marks the second season with interim Head Football Coach Aaron Keen patrolling the sidelines for Minnesota State. Last season, Keen guided the Mavericks to a 13-1 record, en route to an appearance in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Keen currently boasts a head coaching record of 43-28, including an unblemished mark of 18-0 in NSIC play. He owns a 20-1 record at Minnesota State.

Mutual History: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Warriors will mark the 53rd time they have faced each other dating back to the 1923 season. MSU owns a 32-16-4 record against the Warriors, including an 8-2 record in its 10 last games against Winona State. The Mavericks have won the last two meetings against the Warriors, including a 30-20 win last season. MSU has not lost to WSU at home since the 1980 season (L, 26-20).

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks improved to 7-0 this past weekend as they defeated Southwest Minnesota State 52-27 on the road. MSU mustered 432 yards of total offense in its recent victory, including 383 yards on the ground.

The Maverick defense posted six interceptions in its win over SMSU, while sophomore Connor Thomas rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Jon Wolf added 112 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, to go along with two touchdown passes.

Wolf leads the Maverick rushing attack with 570 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while Thomas ranks second on the team with 499 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Wolf has thrown for 1,028 yards and nine touchdowns through seven games this season. Senior Dennis Carter leads MSU with 447 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. Junior Austin Rieder has 219 receiving yards and one touchdown on the season as well.

Junior Kris Fleigle leads the Maverick defense with 44 tackles. Senior Chris Schaudt leads the defense with 5.5 tackles for loss, while sophomore Josh Gordon leads the Mavericks in sacks with 2.5. Junior Nathan Hancock leads the team with four interceptions, while freshman Colt Nero leads the defense with two fumble recoveries.

Concerning the Warriors: The Winona State Warriors won their fifth straight game last week as they defeated the Wayne State Wildcats 45-41 to improve to 5-2 on the season. WSU is tied with MSU atop the NSIC South Division standings with a 3-0 record in south division encounters.

Chichi Ojika leads the WSU rushing attack with 807 yards and seven touchdowns, while Jordan Kos has tallied 142 rushing yards and nine touchdown carries.

Jack Nelson has thrown for 1,727 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season, while throwing five interceptions. Josh Mikes leads the WSU receiving corps with 577 yards and six touchdown catches.

Pat Lazzara leads the Winona State defense with 53 tackles, while Colin Corcoran leads the team with 9.5 tackles for loss, including a team-high 7.5 sacks.

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