MANKATO, Minn. --- Seventh-rated Minnesota State concludes its regular season road schedule Saturday as it takes on #8 Sioux Falls at Bob Young Field. The opening kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2015 season marks the school's 89th season playing football. The Mavericks are 428-379-28 (.529) in 835 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 70-10 (.875) 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 56-15 (.788) record, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014.

Against the Cougars: The Mavericks enter Saturday's game owning a 3-1 overall record against Sioux Falls, including three wins during the last three seasons. Last season, the Mavericks defeated USF 27-14 at Blakeslee Stadium.

Sophomore Nick Pieruccini threw for 125 yards and a touchdown against the Cougars last season, to go along with 88 rushing yards and a touchdown. Senior Kyle Riggott tallied 33 receiving yards as well.

On defense, the Mavericks recorded seven sacks against USF last season, four of which came courtesy of senior Josh Gordon. Gordon, along with senior Rob Myers, each posted a team-leading 10 tackles last season against USF. The MSU defense also recorded a pair of interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Viewing Options: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls will be delivered on ESPN3. The game will also be available through USF's Stretch Internet portal.

Regional Rankings: The Mavericks maintained their hold of the sixth position in the NCAA Super Region Three Rankings after defeating Southwest Minnesota state 55-17 on the road last weekend. Sioux Falls currently sits in the fourth spot in the regional rankings.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State got back into the win column this past weekend as it defeated Southwest Minnesota State 55-17 on the road. MSU improved to 8-1 on the season, including a 4-1 record in south division play.

MSU boasted 460 yards of total offense against the Mustangs last week, including 280 passing yards. Sophomore Nick Pieruccini threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns last week and currently leads the Maverick passing attack with 1,219 passing yards and eight touchdown passes this season.

Junior Brent Esser caught two of Pieruccini's touchdown passes last week, with junior Taylor Johnson hauling in the other. Esser has 206 receiving yards on the season, while sophomore Ty Dennis leads the Maverick receiving corps with 579 yards and six touchdown catches.

Senior Chad Zastrow led the Maverick rushing attack against SMSU last week with 69 yards, while Pieruccini recorded three rushing touchdowns. Zastrow currently has 514 rushing yards on the season.

The MSU defense held the Mustangs to 389 yards of total offense last week, including 133 rushing yards. Senior Josh Gordon became MSU's all-time leader in tackles for loss after posting 2.5 last weekend, to go along win an interception. Senior Tyler Henderson and freshman Jayme LaPlante each recorded an interception as well.

Henderson leads the Maverick defense with 57 tackles, with Gordon leading MSU with 20 tackles for a loss, including 13 sacks. Henderson also boasts a team-leading three interceptions.

Concerning the Cougars: The Sioux Falls Cougars enter the week the owners of an 8-1 overall record, including a 49-0 shutout of Concordia-St. Paul last weekend.

Luke Papilion currently leads the USF passing attack with 2,409 yards and 27 touchdown passes compared to six interceptions. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in three games this season, including 306 yards and six touchdowns last week against Concordia-St. Paul.

Brady Rose leads the USF receiving corps with 759 yards and 10 touchdown catches. Josh Angulo and Garrett Shutt have each tallied seven touchdown catches as well.  

Papilion leads the Cougar rushing attack with 658 yards, to go along with six touchdowns. Max Mickey has 574 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as well.

Josh Butler leads the USF defense with 73 tackles, with Carter Ahlers following with 68. Westly Johnson boasts a team-high 7.5 sacks, while Solomon St. Pierre leads the NSIC with eight interceptions.

Jed Stuart is in his sixth season at the helm of the USF football program. He boasts a 52-14 record at Sioux Falls.

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