MANKATO, Minn. --- The #3 Minnesota State football team will take on its final NSIC North Division opponent of the regular season Saturday as it hits the road to take on the Bemidji State Beavers. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 409-377-28 (.519) in 814 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 56-9 (.861) 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 37-13 (.740) record, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009.

Mutual History: Saturday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Beavers marks the 46th meeting between the two dating back to the 1933 season. In their most recent meeting during the 2012 season, MSU defeated BSU 38-10 in Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks currently own a three-game winning streak against the Beavers dating back to the 2008 season.

Junior Connor Thomas rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown in MSU's last game against BSU, while junior Kris Fleigle led the Mavericks with 10 tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: The Minnesota State Mavericks returned home last weekend and continued their dogged defense of the end zone at Blakeslee Stadium as they posted their second shutout at home this season with a 58-0 win over the Minot State Beavers. Win the win, MSU improved to 3-0 on the season.

In total, the MSU offense put up a total of 450 yards of offense, including 260 yards on the ground. A total of nine Mavericks combined for 260 rushing yards on the day including junior Kyle Riggott and freshman Zach Evans, who each posted their first career rushing touchdowns.

Through the air, MSU completed 15 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Ricky Lloyd threw for 100 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Nick Pieruccini threw for 88 yards and a touchdown. Senior Dorian Buford caught his fifth touchdown of the season, while junior Bryce Duncan caught his second touchdown pass.

On the season, MSU has tallied 1,454 yards of total offense and has outscored its opponents 158-13 through three games. The Maverick rushing attack has accounted for 880 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Through the air, the Mavericks have tallied 574 passing yards and nine touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Mavericks notched their second shutout of the season as they held the Beavers to just 217 yards of total offense.
Junior Tyler Henderson led the MSU defense with nine total tackles, while junior Josh Gordon notched two quarterback sacks.

MSU also picked off the Beavers three times as senior Nathan Hancock, junior Justin Otto and freshman Shaun Schindler each came away with an interception. Hancock returned his interception 46 yards for MSU's second touchdown of the game.

On the season, the MSU defense has allowed just 13 points and 723 total yards of offense through three games.

Concerning the Beavers: The Bemidji State Beavers enter the weekend the owners of a 0-3 record, including a 47-30 loss to the Upper Iowa Peacocks in Fayette, Iowa last weekend.

So far, the Beavers have tallied 1,212 yards of total offense and have been outscored 134-62 through three games this season.

Jordan Hein leads the BSU rushing attack with 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Ryan Shields has completed 34-of-71 pass attempts for 523 yards and three touchdowns this season. Blake Holder leads the Beaver receiving corps with 307 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Connor Quinn leads the BSU defense with 27 total tackles, including 5.5 for a loss and two sacks. The Beavers have also tallied six turnovers.

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