MANKATO, Minn. --- The fourth-rated Minnesota State football team begins a two-game road trip this Saturday as it takes on the Upper Iowa Peacocks. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 444-383-28 (.536) in 854 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922.  Minnesota State is in its 10th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns an 86-13 (.868) 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 Reins: The 2017 season marks the eighth season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his eight seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 72-19 (.791) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Against the Peacocks: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Upper Iowa represents their 12th all-time meeting between them. MSU has won all 11 encounters against UIU, including a 33-23 win at Blakelsee Stadium last season.

Sophomore Justin Arnold led the MSU receiving corps with six catches and 82 yards against Upper Iowa last season. Sophomore Shane Zylstra caught four passes for 66 yards, while senior Ty Dennis tallied 51 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.

On defense, seniors Brendan Chrystal and Larry Moore each recorded an interception. Junior Zach Dodge added six tackles, including three tackles for a loss and two sacks.

As a team, MSU tallied 329 yards of offense against the Peacocks, including 329 passing yards. UIU finished the game with 435 yards of offense, including 317 yards through the air. 

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State bested Augustana 42-21 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium during its annual Homecoming game to improve to 6-0 on the season. The Mavericks have now won their last seven meetings against AU.

The duo of sophomore Nate Gunn and Shane Zylstra combined for 304 yards and five touchdowns. Zylstra caught 10 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns, while Gunn added 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Zysltra later received his second NSIC Offensive Player of the Week Award for his efforts.

The Maverick defense recorded three turnovers against the Vikings. Both senior Corey Brent and sophomore Jack Curtis intercepted a pass, while senior Larry Moore recovered a fumble. Senior Evan Perrizo notched 1.5 sacks as well.

As a team, MSU tallied 383 yards of total offense against Augustana, including 213 rushing yards. AU was held to 275 yards of offense and managed just 43 yards on the ground.

Last Week for the Peacocks: Upper Iowa earned a 34-29 victory last weekend against Concordia-St. Paul at home. UIU now owns a 4-2 record.

As a team, UIU tallied 419 yards of total offense against the Golden Bears, including 245 rushing yards. CSP tallied 383 yards of offense against Upper Iowa, including 262 passing yards.

Quarterback Brent Lammers led the UIU rushing attack with 162 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Jarred Edmonds caught four passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns as well.

Tate Thompson paced the Peacock defense with eight tackles, including two for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Both Jordan Rommes and Nic Patterson tallied seven tackles as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 6-0 record after posting a 42-21 win over Augustana last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium.

So far this season, MSU is averaging 499.7 yards of total offense a game, including 317.2 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 285.8 yards of offense a game, including 74.8 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 944 yards and 10 touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following with 356 yards and four touchdowns. 

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 442 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches, while senior Ty Dennis has posted 259 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 765 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Junior Michael Palme leads the Maverick defense with 32 tackles, to go along with 4.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading nine tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks, and senior Jerry Nash III has three fumble recoveries and one interception, to go along with 23 tackles.

Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the weekend the owner of a 4-2 record, including a 34-29 win last weekend against Concordia-St. Paul.

As a team, Upper Iowa is averaging 432.5 yards of offense a game this season, compared to 323 yards by its opponents. UIU is averaging 227 rushing yards and 205.5 passing yards a game this season.

Brent Lammers leads the UIU rushing attack with 416 yards and four touchdown carries this season. Ryan Parmely has 408 rushing yards and four touchdown carries as well.

Lammers has also thrown for 1,203 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Jarred Edmonds leads the UIU receiving corps with 35 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns.

Keith Schwickerath leads the Upper Iowa defense with 42 tackles this season. Jordan Rommes has tallied 39 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Jojo Simpson has posted 19 tackles, to go along with a team-leading three sacks.