Foreshadowing: After posting a 45-3 victory over Wayne State this past weekend, the #1 Minnesota State football team hits the road Saturday to take on the Sioux Falls Cougars. 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 404-376-28 (.517) in 808 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 51-9 (.850) 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.

Top of the Heap: MSU currently sits atop the NSIC standings with a perfect 9-0 record. Should MSU defeat Sioux Falls Saturday, it would claim at least a share of the 2013 NSIC Regular Season Championship.

On Top in the South: With its 45-3 win over Wayne State, Minnesota State claimed at least a share of the NSIC South Division Championship. This is the fifth time since joining the NSIC back in the 2008 season that the Mavericks have claimed an NSIC South Division Championship. MSU can claim the south division championship outright with a win over Sioux Falls Saturday.

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 45-28, including an unblemished mark of 20-0 in NSIC play. He owns a 22-1 record at Minnesota State.

Mutual History: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Cougars will mark the second time they have faced each other dating back to the 2012 season. MSU owns a 1-0 record against the Cougars, including a 27-13 win last season at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks improved to 9-0 this past weekend as they defeated Wayne State 45-3 at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU mustered 456 yards of total offense in its recent victory, while limiting the WSC offense to 176 total yards.

The Maverick defense currently ranks second in the nation in rushing defense (67.3 ypg) and third in interceptions (19). Junior Kris Fleigle and sophomore Tyler Henderson lead the Mavericks with 51 tackles each, while senior Chris Schaudt leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss.  Sophomore Patrick Schmidt leads MSU with five interceptions on the season, while sophomore Josh Gordon leads the Mavericks with 5.5 sacks.

The Maverick rushing attack currently ranks 12th in the nation, with an average of 268.7 yards per game. MSU also ranks 24th in the nation in scoring with an average of 39.2 points per game.

Senior Jon Wolf leads the Maverick rushing attack with 764 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while sophomore Connor Thomas ranks second on the team with 698 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Wolf has thrown for 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns through nine games this season. Senior Dennis Carter leads MSU with 627 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches. Junior Austin Rieder has 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season as well.

Concerning the Cougars: The Sioux Falls Cougars own a 5-4 record on the season after suffering a 30-28 loss to Upper Iowa last weekend.

Nephi Garcia leads the USF rushing attack with 1,068 yards and 10 touchdowns. Luke Papilion has also posted 738 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

Carrington Hanna has thrown for 904 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Austin Vanhove leads the receiving corps with 445 receiving yards, while Wes Smith has posted four touchdown catches.

John Batinich leads USF with 77 tackles, including nine for a loss and three sacks. Evan Gentry leads the Cougars with three interceptions, while Broughan Jantz leads USF with two fumble recoveries.

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