MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 6 Minnesota State will wrap up its regular season schedule this Saturday as it hosts the Wayne State Wildcats at Blakeslee Stadium. 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 429-379-28 (.529) in 836 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 71-10 (.876) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 21 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. Last wee, the Mavericks claimed at least a share of their third straight NSIC title and fourth in the last five 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 57-15 (.791) record, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014.

Against the Wildcats: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Wayne State will mark the eighth all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks boasting a 7-0 overall record. MSU has won all three meetings against WSC at Blakeslee Stadium and has scored 42 points or more in each of its last three games against the Wildcats.

Last season the Mavericks shutout the Wildcats 49-0 on the road. Sophomore Pieruccini threw for 297 yards and a touchdown, to go along with 91 rushing yards and three touchdown carries. Senior Chad Zastrow also ran in a touchdown, while senior Kyle Riggott caught four passes for 44 yards.

The MSU defense held WSC to 268 yards of total offense last season, including 133 passing yards. Seniors Tyler Henderson and Josh Gordon each tallied a team-leading six tackles, junior Marcus Gooden and sophomore William Hannemann each posted a tackle for loss.

Regional Rankings: The Mavericks jumped up to the second spot in the NCAA Super Region Three Rankings after posting a 44-3 road victory over Sioux Falls. Augustana improved to the fifth spot, while Sioux Falls fell to the seventh spot. Southwest Minnesota State reentered the rankings in the eighth position.

Concerning the Mavericks: Last weekend the Mavericks improved to 9-1 on the season as they secured at least a share of their third straight NSIC Championship after posting a 44-3 road win over the Sioux Falls Cougars.

In total, the MSU offense tallied 503 yards of total offense against the Cougars, while holding USF to just 240 yards of total offense.

Sophomore Nick Pieruccini finished the game with a career-high 374 passing yards, to go along with three touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. He currently leads the Maverick passing attack with 1,539 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes. Pieruccini also boasts a team-leading nine touchdown carries.

Junior Brent Esser and Ty Dennis each passed 100 receiving yards against the Cougars, with Esser notching a career-high 165 receiving yards. Dennis leads the MSU receiving corps with 681 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.

Junior Mat Andriano recorded a team-high eight tackles against USF last weekend, with senior Rob Myers and junior Marcus Gooden following with seven.

Senior Tyler Henderson leads the MSU defense with 61 tackles on the season, while senior Josh Gordon boasts a team-leading 21 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks. Henderson, Gooden and Myers have each tallied three interceptions as well.

Concerning the Wildcats: The Wayne State Wildcats enter the weekend with a 4-6 overall record, including a 34-31 loss to Upper Iowa in double overtime last weekend. WSC has lost five of its last six games.

Taylor Reedy leas the WSC passing attack with 1,407 passing yards and nine touchdowns, compared to three interceptions. Marcel Dunson leads the Wayne State receiving corps with 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Ryan Ludlow leads the WSC rushing attack with 1,018 rushing yards and seven touchdown carries, with Lane Yates following with three touchdown carries.

Jon Davis leads the WSC defense with 81 tackles, with Nate Kroupa leading the team in tackles for loss with nine.

The Wildcats are coached by Dan McLaughlin, who is in his 11th season at Wayne State. He owns a 63-59 overall record.

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