MANKATO, Minn. --- The third-ranked Minnesota State football team will look to make it five-straight wins as it hosts its annual homecoming contest against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs on Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The opening kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 410-377-28 (.520) in 815 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 57-9 (.863) 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.

Top of the Heap: MSU completed its second straight undefeated regular season, en route to an NSIC regular season championship and its fifth NSIC South Division championship after finishing its regular season with an 11-0 record.

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 compiled a 38-13 (.745) record, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

Homecoming History: MSU's Homecoming contest will be the Mavericks 82nd homecoming game dating back to 1928. Minnesota State owns a 46-33-2 record in homecoming contests and has won five out of the last six homecoming games dating back to the 2008 season.

MSU is 2-0 all-time against Southwest Minnesota State in its homecoming games with wins during the 1978 season (38-7) and the 1980 season (29-23).

Mutual History: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Mustangs marks the 13th contest between the two, with MSU owning the series edge at 12-0. The Mavericks defeated the Mustangs 52-27 in Marshall during their previous meeting last season.

In their last meeting junior Connor Thomas rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns against the Mustangs, while the Maverick defense tallied six interceptions.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks wrapped up their NSIC North Division schedule on the road last weekend as they defeated the Bemidji State Beavers to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Despite entering the second half trailing 10-6, the Mavericks outscored the Beavers 28-6 through the final two quarters to secure the win. Junior Connor Thomas notched his fifth career 100-yard rushing game with 118 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Ricky Lloyd threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with 32 rushing yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks saw several key contributions. Junior Josh Gordon tallied three sacks, while junior Tyler Henderson notched a team-high 11 tackles. The Mavericks also came up with four turnovers as junior Rob Myers came up with two interceptions, with senior Nathan Hancock posting another. Junior Justin Otto recovered a fumble as well.

On the season, MSU has tallied 1,956 yards of total offense and has outscored its opponents 192-29 through four games. The Maverick rushing attack has accounted for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Through the air, the Mavericks have tallied 856 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks have two shutouts on the season and have only allowed a total of 29 points through four games.

Henderson leads the Maverick defense with 36 tackles, while Gordon boasts a team-leading seven sacks.

The MSU defense has also tallied eight interceptions and has recovered five fumbles.

Concerning the Mustangs: The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs enter the weekend the owners of a 1-3 record, including a 46-43 loss to Northern State last weekend.

So far, the Mustangs have tallied 1,566 yards of total offense and have been outscored 134-124 through four games this season.

Charlie Kern has tallied 132 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Tyler Tonderum leads the SMSU rushing attack with 237 rushing yards.

Kern has completed 101-of-158 passes for 971 passing yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing eight interceptions.

Tyler Flud and Casey Hertz lead the SMSU defense with 43 tackles each. The Mustang defense has also come up with five turnovers this season, including three interceptions.

Nationally Speaking: Minnesota State currently ranks in the top-10 in the nation in several categories including scoring defense (5th), turnovers gained (6th), interceptions (7th) and scoring offense (9th).

Several Mavericks are also making their presence felt including junior Josh Gordon, who leads Division II in sacks per game with 1.75. Senior Dorian Buford is currently sixth in the nation in receiving touchdowns with seven.

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