MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team received the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Super Region Four Tournament and will host seventh-seeded CSU-Pueblo on Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 449-383-28 (.538) in 860 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 91-13 (.875) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 22 conference championships, including 14 NIC titles and five NSIC championships. The Mavericks are also making their 10th appearance 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 77-19 (.802) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

NSIC Champs: With its 27-23 win last weekend at Sioux Falls, Minnesota State claimed an outright NSIC Championship and the NSIC South Division Championship. This is the fourth time MSU has won the conference championship since joining the league in 2008. It is also the seventh time it has won the division title.

Against the ThunderWolves: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and CSU-Pueblo marks their second all-time meeting between them, with the ThunderWolves winning their only meeting 13-0 during the 2014 NCAA Championship game.

Senior Corey Brent led the Maverick defense against CSU-Pueblo with eight tackles. As a team, the Mavericks posted 265 total yards of offense against CSU-Pueblo, including 160 passing yards. The ThunderWolves recorded 327 yards of offense, including 191 passing yards.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2017 regular season schedule with a perfect 11-0 record after defeating Sioux Falls 27-23 on the road last weekend. This is the fourth time in the last six seasons MSU has finished its regular season with an 11-0 record. 

As a unit, the Mavericks tallied 270 yards of offense against the Cougars, including 181 passing yards. USF tallied 390 yards of offense, including 255 passing yards.

Sophomore Shane Zylstra record five catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Nyles Williams caught a 32-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore Ryan Schlichte completed 10 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Jerry Nash III led the Maverick defense with 11 tackles, while senior Corey Brent added eight tackles, including two for a loss. Senior Evan Perrizo tallied two sacks, while freshman Cade Johnson posted a interception and fumble recovery. Sophomore Jack Curtis also posted an interception and freshman Lukas Burrington also recovered a fumble.

Last Week for the ThunderWolves: CSU-Pueblo upended Chadron State 28-6 on the road last weekend. The ThunderWolves have now won their last four games.

As a team, CSU-Pueblo tallied 365 yards of total offense, while limiting Chadron State to 226 yards. The ThunderWolves notched 206 rushing yards and went 8-of-14 in third down attempts.

Marche Dennard notched 110 rushing yards and two touchdown carries, while Ammon Johnson caught seven passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Rex Dausin completed 15 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown.

Jamaal Sears led the ThunderWolve defense with seven tackles, while Jackson Wibbels tallied three tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Tanner Draper and Emery Taylor each recorded an interception as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its regular season with an 11-0 record, including a 27-23 road win against Sioux Falls last weekend

MSU is averaging 481.5 yards of total offense a game, including 291.7 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 277.1 yards of offense a game, including 71.4 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,115 yards and 10 touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following right behind with 976 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 740 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches, with senior Ty Dennis following with 477 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,550 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.

Senior Jerry Nash III leads the Maverick defense with 58 tackles, to go along with three fumble recoveries. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading 15.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks. Sophomore Jack Curtis has intercepted five passes this season, with senior Corey Brent following right behind with three.

Concerning the ThunderWolves: CSU-Pueblo finished its regular season schedule with a 9-2 record, including wins in its last four games. The ThunderWolves also won a share of the RMAC Championship.

As a team, CSU-Peublo is averaging 406.9 yards of total offense, while allowing 271.7 yards of offense. The ThunderWolves averaged 216.6 passing yards and 190.3 rushing yards a game. They are also outscoring opponents 37.6-14.3 this season.

Marche Dennard leads the CSU-Pueblo rushing attack with 1,026 yards and 17 touchdowns. Austin Micci has 671 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as well.

Rex Dausin has thrown for 1,406 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing just four interceptions. Ammon Johnson leads the receiving corps with 543 yards and three touchdown catches.

Brandon Payer leads the CSU-Pueblo defense with 96 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Darius Williams has tallied 44 tackles and eight interceptions. Emery Taylor has intercepted six passes as well.