MANKATO, Minn. --- The third-rated Minnesota State football team will look to keep things rolling on the road Saturday as it takes on the MSU Moorhead Dragons. The opening kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.

Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 407-377-28 (.518) in 812 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 54-9 (.857) 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 35-13 (.729) record, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

Mutual History: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Dragons marks the 35th meeting between them dating back to 1936. The Mavericks own an all-time record of 21-13 against the Dragons, and are currently on a three-game winning streak. In their last meeting back in the 2012 season, the Mavericks shutout the Dragons 24-0 in Blakeslee Stadium. During their last trip to Moorhead in 2008, the Mavericks defeated the Dragons 52-0.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks opened their 2014 season with a convincing 31-0 shutout victory over the St. Cloud State Huskies, in front of 6,022 fans at Blakeslee Stadium.

The Mavericks tallied 270 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Huskies. Senior Andy Pfeiffer notched 128 rushing yards and a touchdown, while junior Connor Thomas added 97 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Sophomore Ricky Lloyd connected on 8-of-10 pass attempts for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Austin Rieder and junior Bryce Duncan each caught one touchdown pass against the Huskies, with Duncan leading the MSU receiving corps with 35 receiving yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks posted their first shutout victory since its 24-0 shutout of MSU Moorhead back in the 2012 season. As a unit, MSU allowed just 67 passing yards and 168 rushing yards.

Junior Tyler Henderson led the Mavericks with nine total tackles, while junior Josh Gordon tallied six tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.

MSU also tallied two interceptions in its win over St. Cloud State as junior Justin Otto and junior Rob Myers each came away with an interception.

Concerning the Dragons: The MSU Moorhead Dragons enter the weekend on the heels of a 44-36 loss to the Upper Iowa Peacocks. Upper Iowa scored rallied in the fourth quarter and scored 30 points in the fourth quarter to claim the victory over the Dragons.

The MSU Moorhead rushing attack was led by Zayne Medhaug who tallied 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jake Hodge also rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown.

Hodge completed 28-of-35 passes for 331 yards and one touchdown. Adam Jiskra and Dan Grande each eclipsed the 100 yard receiving plateau against the Peacocks, with Jiskra notching 135 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.

On defense, the Dragons were led by Aaron Bohl, who tallied 13 tackles. Chris Lee tallied nine tackles, including four for a loss.. Chris Binford also tallied seven tackles and an interception.

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