MANKATO, Minn. --- #4 Minnesota State concludes its two-game road trip this Thursday as it squares off with the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 445-383-28 (.536) in 855 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 87-13 (.870) 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 73-19 (.793) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Against the Mustangs: Thursday's meeting between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 16th meeting. MSU owns a 15-0 record against the Mustangs, including a 35-20 win last season at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks own a 6-0 record against SMSU in Marshall.

Senior Ty Dennis led the MSU receiving corps with 74 receiving yards and a touchdown against SMSU last season, while senior Erik Fuller tallied 48 yards and two touchdown catches.

On defense, junior Zach Dodge tallied three sacks, while junior Michael Palme recorded one interception. Senior Evan PerrizoPerrizo also added six tackles, while junior Jayme LaPlante added five tackles and recovered a fumble.

As a team, the Mavericks tallied 410 yards of offense against Southwest Minnesota State, including 283 receiving yards. SMSU tallied 358 yards of offense, including 245 through the air.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 7-0 last weekend as it defeated Upper Iowa 52-7 on the road. MSU has now won 12 straight games against the Peacocks.

As a team, MSU tallied 588 yards of offense against the Peacocks, including 359 rushing yards. Upper Iowa was limited to 150 yards of offense, including 14 rushing yards. 

Freshman Justin Taormina led the MSU rushing attack with 118 yards and two touchdown carries, while sophomore Nate Gunn added 11 rushing yards. Sophomore Ryan Schlichte finished his game with 168 passing yards and three touchdown passes, to go along with 21 rushing yards and a touchdown carry. Four Mavericks caught a touchdown pass, including freshman Parker Gloudemans, who led MSU receivers with 77 receiving yards.

Freshman Michael Buetow led the Maverick defense with six tackles. Seniors Evan Perrizo and Shola George each tallied a sack, while sophomore Zach Robertson recovered a fumble.

Last Week for the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State fell to Augustana 30-8 on the road last weekend. SMSU now owns a 2-5 record and is currently on a four-game losing streak.

As a team, SMSU posted 334 yards of total offense against Augustana last weekend, including 245 passing yards. AU managed 456 yards of offense, including 300 rushing yards.

Quarterback Connor Wilkie threw for 213 yards and a touchdown against AU, while Ashanti Payne rushed for 51 yards. Nate Huot led the SMSU receivers with 72 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Zack Majka and Shane Ratkovich led the SMSU defense with nine tackles against Augustana. Majka also recovered a fumble.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 7-0 record after notching a 52-7 win against Upper Iowa on the road last week.

So far this season, MSU is averaging 512.3 yards of total offense a game, including 323.1 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 266.4 yards of offense a game, including 66.1 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following with 474 yards and six touchdowns. 

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 490 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches, while senior Ty Dennis has posted 259 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 933 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Junior Michael Palme leads the Maverick defense with 37 tackles, to go along with 4.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading 10 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks, and senior Jerry Nash III has three fumble recoveries and one interception, to go along with 33 tackles. Senior Corey Brent has two interceptions and 19 tackles as well.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 2-5 record, including a 30-8 loss to Augustana last weekend. SMSU is on a four-game losing streak.

As a team, Southwest Minnesota State is averaging 367.9 yards a game this season, including 253.6 passing yards a game. Its opponents have averaged 428.3 yards a game, including 206.6 rushing yards.

Ashanti Payne leads the SMSU rushing attack with 435 yards and five touchdowns. Max Simmons and Shawn Griffin have recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns as well.

Connor Wilkie has thrown from 981 yards and two touchdowns this season. Nate Huot leads SMSU receivers with 593 yards and four touchdowns.

Alex Ney leads the Mustang defense with 74 tackles. JD Jackson-Hanchett has a team-best four interceptions and Webb Bolstad leads the team with 6.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.