MANKATO, Minn. --- Looking to avenge their second-round loss to #12 St. Cloud State last season, the fifth-rated Minnesota State Mavericks will take on the Huskies in their season opener at Blakeslee Stadium on Thursday. The opening kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

Our History: The 2013 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 406-377-28 (.517) in 811 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 53-9 (.854) 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 return of head coach Todd Hoffner to the sidelines. During his four previous seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner compiled a 34-13 record, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

Mutual History: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Huskies marks the 79th meeting between them, with SCSU leading the all-time series with a 42-32-4 record. In their last meeting, the Huskies defeated the Mavericks 54-48 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Blakeslee Stadium. The 102 combined points scored tied for the most combined points scored in a single Maverick game, matching the previous mark of 102 points scored between MSU and South Dakota State back in the 1993 season.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks finished their 2013 regular season with an 11-1 record. MSU fell to St. Cloud State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season by the score of 54-48.

Last season, the Mavericks boasted the highest scoring average in the NSIC last season as they averaged 43.8 points per game. MSU was also the highest rushing team in the NSIC, with an average of 294.7 rushing yards per game.

MSU will see three running backs return from a season ago, in senior Andy Pfeiffer, junior Connor Thomas and junior Chad Zastrow. Thomas led the MSU running backs with 956 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season, while Pfeiffer added 509 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Zastrow chipped in with 465 rushing yards and four touchdowns as well.

Last year, Minnesota State also raked in 2,262 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Senior Austin Rieder finished his junior campaign in 2013 with 520 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.

Last season, the Maverick defense ranked near or at the top of the NSIC in several categories. MSU had the best rushing defense (74.4 ypg) and the best turnover margin (1.67). The Mavericks also had the second-highest scoring defense (17.8 ppg) and ranked second in total defense (289.8 ypg).

Last season, junior Tyler Henderson led the Maverick defense with 69 total tackles, including 38 solo tackles. Senior Kris Fleigle finished last season with 61 tackles. Senior Nathan Hancock and junior Patrick Schmidt each recorded a team-high five interceptions, while junior Josh Gordon led the Mavericks with seven quarterback sacks.

Concerning the Huskies: The St. Cloud State Huskies finished their 2013 season with a 12-2 record as they fell to Northwest Missouri State 59-21 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament

Last season, the SCSU offense ranked fourth in the NSIC in scoring (39.4 ppg), second in first downs (307) and sixth in total offense (454.6 ypg).

Last season, Michael Walker led the Huskies with 860 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, while Ledell White tallied 482 rushing yards.

Through the air, Taylor Berger posted 24 catches, for 507 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense last season, SCSU had the second best turnover margin in the NSIC (1.57) and the fourth best scoring defense (22.8 ppg).

Bo Putrah led the Huskies with nine sacks last season.

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