MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team is making its third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament this weekend as it hosts the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 417-377-28 (.524) in 822 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 62-9 (.873) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 20 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. This season, the Mavericks claimed their second straight NSIC title and third in the last four seasons.
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 45-13 (.775) record, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014.
Mutual History: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Gorillas will be the first meeting ever between them.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 11-0 overall and 7-0 in NSIC South Division competition with its 45-14 win over Upper Iowa at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks have now won their second consecutive NSIC Championship and third in the last four seasons.
Junior
Connor Thomas led the MSU rushing attack with 92 rushing yards, while senior
Andy Pfeiffer, sophomore
Ricky Lloyd and redshirt freshman
Nick Pieruccini each posted a rushing touchdown.
Pieruccini also threw for 111 passing yards, including two touchdown passes to senior
Dorian Buford and junior
Bryce Duncan.
On defense, junior
Tyler Henderson posted a team-leading 12 tackles, while senior
Nathan Hancock, juniors
Rumeal Harris and
Rob Myers and freshman
Dylan Oleszak each recorded an interception. Oleszak returned his interception 60 yards for a touchdown as well.
As a team, MSU has scored 485 points on the season to go along with 5,066 yards of total offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks have three shutouts on the season and have only allowed a total of 129 points through 11 games. The three shutouts this season are the most since the 1972 season when the Mavericks posted four shutouts.
Concerning the Gorillas: The Pittsburg State Gorillas enter the weekend the owners of an 11-1 record, including a 59-42 win over Harding last weekend in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Anthony Abenoja has connected on 248-of-404 passes for 3,623 yards and 30 touchdown passes, compared to seven interceptions. Marquise Cushon leads the Gorilla receiving corps with 1,238 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Gavin Lutman also has 1,063 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches.
Jamal Tyler leads the PSU rushing attack with 412 rushing yards, while Ramsey Hamilton has a team-leading five touchdown carries.
Spencer Brown leads the Pittsburg State defense with 93 tackles, while Heath Wilson boasts a team-leading six sacks. Colby Hall leads the Gorillas with three fumble recoveries.
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