MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 1 Minnesota State returns to Blakeslee Stadium Saturday as it hosts the Winona State Warriors. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2015 season marks the school's 89th season playing football. The Mavericks are 427-378-28 (.529) in 833 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922.  Minnesota State is in its eighth season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 69-9 (.884) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 20 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. Last season, the Mavericks claimed their second straight NSIC title and third in the last four seasons.

Grabbing the Reigns: The 2015 season marks the sixth season with head coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his six seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 55-14 (.797) record, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014.

Against the Warriors: Saturday's game with Winona State marks the 54th all-time meeting between the Mavericks and the Warriors. The Mavericks lead the all-time series with a 33-16-4 record, including a 15-7-2 record in Mankato. MSU has won the last four meetings against WSU, including a 44-24 victory in Winona last season.

Last season, sophomore Nick Pieruccini threw for a pair of touchdown passes and 98 yards against Winona State, while junior Ricky Lloyd threw for 163 yards and a touchdown. Senior Bryce Duncan caught three passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, the Mavericks recorded seven sacks against the Warriors, with senior Josh Gordon posting four. Senior Rob Myers recorded a team-leading seven tackles, while senior Tyler Henderson added six tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State kept its perfect record intact as it defeated Concordia-St. Paul 51-10 on the road last weekend. MSU has now won 40 consecutive NSIC games.

Last weekend, the Maverick defense held the Golden Bears to 174 yards of total offense. Four Mavericks notched five tackles, including junior Colt Nero who also tallied 1.5 sacks. Senior Rob Myers returned a CSP fumble 41 yards for a touchdown as well.

Senior Tyler Henderson currently leads the MSU defense with 45 tackles, with senior Josh Gordon boasting a team-leading 16 tackles for a loss.

Junior Virgil Hammond passed the 100 rushing yard plateau for the second time this season as he tallied 116 yards and a touchdown against the Golden Bears, while senior Chad Zastrow added 88 yards and two touchdowns. Both Hammond and Zastrow have recorded five rushing touchdowns on the season.

Freshman Trevor Nissen caught his first career touchdown pass against the Golden Bears, to go along with 53 receiving yards. Junior Ricky Lloyd added 94 passing yards and a touchdown against CSP. Both Lloyd and sophomore Nick Pieruccini have thrown five touchdowns this season.

Concerning the Warriors: The Winona State Warriors enter the weekend the owners of a 3-4 record, including a pair of losses in their last two outings against Sioux Falls (51-30) and Upper Iowa (35-21).

Paul Preston leads the WSU rushing attack with 576 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with Eric Birth following with three touchdown carries.

Jack Nelson has thrown for 2,251 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, to go along with eight interceptions. Alan May has 629 receiving yards and five touchdown catches this season, with Josh Mikes following with 590 receiving yards and four touchdown catches.

Collin Corcoran leads the WSU defense with 71 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss. Andrew Spencer has tallied a team-leading three interceptions as well.

Tom Sawyer is in his 20th season at the helm of the WSU football program. He owns an all-time record of 154-71.

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