MANKATO, Minn. --- The top-rated Minnesota State football team will look to keep things moving Saturday afternoon as it takes on the Augustana Vikings in Sioux Falls. The opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 413-377-28 (.522) in 818 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 59-9 (.867) 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 41-13 (.759) record, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

Mutual History: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Vikings marks the 45th meeting all-time between them. Augustana currently owns the series edge at 23-21. MSU is currently on a three-game winning streak against AC, including a 20-10 win at Blakeslee Stadium last season.

In MSU's last win over Augustana, junior Connor Thomas notched 56 rushing yards, while senior Austin Rieder caught two passes for 30 yards. Junior Justin Otto and Tyler Henderson each had four tackles as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in NSIC South Division competition last Friday as it defeated the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears 38-6. MSU has now won 29 consecutive NSIC games dating back to week one of the 2012 season.

The Maverick defense combined for seven total sacks for the second straight week as it limited the Golden Bears to just a pair of field goals. MSU also came up with three turnovers on the day as senior Kris Fleigle and freshman Cory Brent each posted an interception, while junior Bryce Dominick recovered a fumble.

On offense, junior Connor Thomas rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown, marking his seventh career game with at least 100 rushing yards. Senior Andy Pfeiffer, and juniors Kyle Riggott and Chad Zastrow each posted a rushing touchdown as well.

As a team, MSU has tallied 3,049 yards of total offense on the season, including 1,762 yards on the ground. The Mavericks have also posted 330 points through seven games. Thomas is leading the MSU rushing attack with 649 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks have two shutouts on the season and have only allowed a total of 73 points through seven games.

Junior Tyler Henderson is leading the Mavericks in tackles with 57, while junior Josh Gordon leads MSU in sacks with 12.5. The MSU defense has also tallied 12 interceptions and has recovered seven fumbles.

Concerning the Vikings: The Augustana Vikings enter the week the owners of a 4-3 record, including a 1-2 record in south division action. Last week, AC defeated Wayne State 52-48 on the road.

Trey Heid has completed 110-of-195 passes for 1,606 yards and 18 touchdowns, compared to one interception.

CJ Ham leads the AC rushing attack with 468 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Dajon Newell also has 416 rushing yards.

Matt Heller has posted 499 receiving yards and six touchdowns, with Matt Gerry following with 453 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Brandon Mohr leads the Vikings with 59 tackles, with Ben Skelly following close behind with 56. Skelly also has two interceptions and leads the team in sacks with three.
 
Nationally Speaking: Minnesota State currently ranks in the top-10 in the nation in several categories including blocked punts (2nd), scoring defense (2nd), sacks (3rd), scoring offense (6th), pass efficiency defense (7th) and total defense (9th).

Several Mavericks are also making their presence felt including junior Joshua Gordon,  who leads Division II in sacks per game with 1.71. Senior Dorian Buford is currently eighth in the nation in receiving touchdowns with nine.

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