MANKATO, Minn. --- The seventh-rated Minnesota State football team opens its 2016 slate Thursday evening on the road as it takes on the Minot State Beavers. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Our History: The 2016 season marks the school's 90th season playing football. The Mavericks are 430-380-28 (.529) in 838 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 72-10 (.878) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 21 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. The Mavericks have also made nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament. MSU owns a 7-9 overall record in NCAA postseason play.
Grabbing the Reigns: The 2016 season marks the seventh season with head coach
Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his seven seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 58-16 (.783) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015.
Against the Beavers: Thursday's meeting between the Mavericks and the Beavers marks the third meeting all-time between them. MSU has won both meeting against MISU, including a 58-0 win in their last meeting back in the 2014 season.
During their 2014 encounter, senior
Ricky Lloyd threw for 100 yards and a touchdown, while senior
Nick Pieruccini threw for 88 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, junior
Brendan Chrystal recorded seven tackles.
Concerning the Mavericks: Last season, the Mavericks claimed their third straight NSIC Championship as they finished with a 10-2 record. The Mavericks also made their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
The 2015 season saw the Maverick defense hold opponents to just 16.1 points and 267.4 yards of total offense per game. MSU allowed just 72.8 rushing yards per game last season which ranked first in the NSIC and third across Division II. The Mavericks also ranked fourth in the NSIC with 194.6 yards allowed per game.
Senior
Marcus Gooden finished the 2015 season second on the team in tackles with 58. Gooden also recorded three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Junior
Evan Perrizo also returns for the Mavericks after posting 34 tackles, including nine for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Last season, the MSU offense averaged 452 yards and 41.6 points per game. MSU's 41.6 points per game ranked eighth in the NCAA a season ago as well.
Senior quarterbacks
Ricky Lloyd and
Nick Pieruccini return for the Mavericks, who each threw for more than 1,000 yards last season. Pieruccini led MSU with 1,699 passing yards and 12 touchdown passes, while Lloyd tallied 1,019 passing yards and nine touchdown passes. Pieruccini, also recorded nine touchdown carries and 487 rushing yards, will also see time at the running back position.
Senior
Virgil Hammond recorded 523 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games last season. Hammond posted a pair of 100-rushing yard efforts against Minnesota Crookston (112) and Concordia-St. Paul (118).
MSU returns both of its leading receivers in junior
Ty Dennis and senior
Brent Esser. Dennis led the Maverick receiving corps with 793 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, while Esser tallied 523 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.
Concerning the Beavers: Last season, Minot State posted a 1-10 record, including a 0-4 record against NSIC south division opponents. The Beavers lost their last five games of the 2015 season, with its lone win coming against the University of Mary (15-9). MISU has also lost its last seven home games.
Isaiah Weed, who played five games at quarterback last season, threw for 346 yards and two touchdown passes.
MISU's leading rusher Jarvis Mustipher returns after posting 690 rushing yards and four touchdown carries. Akkil Walker returns after posting 381 receiving yards as well.
On defense, Tevin Swenson returns for the Beavers after posting 101 tackles. Mitchell Matthias also returns after recording 49 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss.
