Foreshadowing: Fresh off its 68-26 victory over the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles, the second-rated Minnesota State football team will hit the road as it takes on the seventh-rated Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Our History: The 2013 season marks the school's 87th season playing football. The Mavericks are 397-376-28 (.513) in 801 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 44-9 (.830) 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 38-28, including an unblemished mark of 13-0 in NSIC play. He boasts a 15-1 record at Minnesota State.

Mutual History: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth will mark the 35th meeting between the Mavericks and the Bulldogs, with UMD leading the all-time series 19-14-1. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings against the Mavericks. MSU last defeated UMD back in the 2007 season when it defeated the Bulldogs 35-14 in Duluth.

Notes from Last Weekend: Minnesota State powered its way past Minnesota Crookston last weekend as it improved to 2-0 behind a 68-26 win at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks boasted 532 yards of total offense, including 327 yards on the ground and 205 yards in the air.

Sophomore Connor Thomas tallied 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Chad Zastrow led the Mavericks with 84 rushing yards. Junior Anthony Lewis, sophomore Mitch Brozovich and senior Ra'Shon Harper each tallied a rushing touchdown as well.

Senior Jon Wolf finished the game with seven completions, in as many attempts, for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Dennis Carter led the MSU receiving corps with 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Isaac Kolstad and junior Samuel Thompson led the Maverick defense with six total tackles, while sophomore Josh Gordon posted 1.5 sacks. Junior Eric Clark also returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown. The MSU defense also record one safety.
 
Concerning the Bulldogs: The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs improved to 2-0 last week after defeating the Upper Iowa Peacocks 37-19 in Fayette, Iowa. As a team, UMD tallied 407 yards of total offense against the Peacocks, including 263 rushing yards and 144 passing yards.

On offense, the Bulldogs are led by Austin Sikorski, who has tallied a team-high 183 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Drew Bauer has tallied 137 yards on the ground as well, while posting tow touchdowns.

Bauer also leads the Bulldogs in passing as he has completed 25-of-39 attempts for 196 yards and a touchdown. Zach Zweifel leads his squad with 89 receiving yards and one touchdown.

On defense, the Bulldogs have forced six turnovers on the season, including two interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns.

Kenny Chowa leads the UMD defense with 14 total tackles, while Chris Vandervest leads the Bulldogs with 3.5 tackles for a loss.

Monday Night Coaches Show: Join the Minnesota State coaching staff each Monday night for the Maverick Coaches Show live from the downtown Buffalo Wild Wings location. The show, hosted by Mike Sullivan, airs on AM 1230 KYSM the Fan Mankato and runs from 7-7:30.

Watch Party: The will be a watch party for MSU's game against UMD Saturday at Buffalo Wild Wings (downtown location) for fans who cannot make the trip to Duluth.

The watch party will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until the end of the game. Several prizes will be given away as well.

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