MANKATO, Minn. --- After posting a 47-13 win over the Concord Mountain Lions last weekend, the Minnesota State football team will take on CSU-Pueblo in the NCAA Championship game at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 420-377-28 (.526) in 825 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 48-13 (.786) record, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014.

A Day of Firsts: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and CSU-Pueblo will be their first meeting and MSU's first appearance in the NCAA DII Championship game.

MSU National Champions: Minnesota State has seen four teams win an NCAA Championship. The wrestling team won a national title during the 1964-65 season, to go along with a pair of NAIA Championships during the 1957-58 and the 1958-59 seasons. The men's hockey team won NCAA DII Championship during the 1979-80 season, with the men's cross country team winning a national title during the 1988 season. The women's basketball team won the most recent NCAA championship during the 2008-09 season.  

Viewing Options: Fans who cannot make the trip to Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., can watch the game on ESPN 2.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks improved to 14-0 on the season with their 47-13 victory over the Concord Mountain Lions last weekend in the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sophomore Ricky Lloyd has completed 107 passes for 1,629 yards and 20 touchdowns, compared to six interceptions. Redshirt freshman Nick Pieruccini has completed 88 passes for 1,245 yards and 12 touchdowns as well.

Senior Dorian Buford leads the Maverick receiving corps with 1,007 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches. Senior Austin Rieder and junior Bryce Duncan each have seven touchdown catches as well.

Junior Connor Thomas leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,338 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior Andy Pfeiffer has tallied eight rushing touchdown carries as well.

Junior Tyler Henderson leads the Maverick defense with 117 tackles, to go along with 11.5 tackles for a loss. Junior Josh Gordon has tallied a team-high 17.5 sacks this season and leads MSU with 21 tackles for a loss.

Senior Nathan Hancock has posted a team-leading six interceptions, with junior Rumeal Harris following close behind with five.

Concerning the ThunderWolves: The CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves enter the weekend the owners of a 13-1 record, including wins in their last eight games. Last week, CSU-Pueblo defeated West Georgia 10-7 to advance to the NCAA Finals.

Chris Bonner has completed 241-of-431 passes for 3,100 yards and 29 touhdowns, compared to seven interceptions. Kieren Duncan has posted a team-high 706 receiving yards. Jarred Radenbaugh leads the ThunderWolves with six touchdown catches as well.

Cameron McDongle leads the CSU-Pueblo rushing attack with 1,901 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

Joe Rosenbrock leads the CSU-Pueblo defense with 99 tackles, while Darius Allen leads the ThunderWolves with 14 sacks. CJ Roberts also has a team-leading seven interceptions.

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To view the MSU DII Football Championship page click HERE