MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team continues competition in the second round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday as it hosts the Midwestern State Mustangs 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 450-383-28 (.538) in 861 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 an 8-9 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 78-19 (.804) record, including five trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014, 2015 and 2017.

NSIC Champs: With its 27-23 win 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 Mustangs: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Midwestern State will be their first meeting between them.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State defeated CSU-Pueblo 16-13 in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Blakeslee last Saturday. It was MSU's first overtime game since its 24-21 overtime win vs. Pittsburg State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014.

As a unit, the Minnesota State tallied 254 yards of total offense against the ThunderWolves, including 156 rushing yards. In comparison, the Maverick defense held CSU-Pueblo to 149 yards and five first downs. 

Sophomore Nate Gunn rushed for 103 yards, while freshman JD Ekowa tallied a 20-yard touchdown run. Junior Casey Bednarski also connected on field goals from 29, 30 and 37 yards out.

Senior Brendan Chrystal paced the Maverick defense with 11 tackles, while senior Corey Brent notched eight tackles. Freshman Ty'Shonan Brooks tallied an interception as well.

Last Week for the Mustangs: Midwestern State defeated Sioux Falls 24-20 last weekend to improve to 10-0 on the season. The Mustangs overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Cougars.

As a team, Midwestern State tallied 357 yards of total offense against the Cougars, including 239 passing yards. USF was able to notch 354 yards of offense against the Mustangs, including 195 passing yards.

Layton Rabb completed 23 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while Adrian Seales rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown. Tyrique Edwards caught seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown as well.

Sir'Vell Ford led the Midwestern State defense with 20 tackles, while Steven Rogers and JP Cagnasi each recovered a fumble.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 12-0 on the season after defeating CSU-Pueblo 16-13 in overtime last weekend in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

MSU is averaging 462.5 yards of total offense a game, including 280.4 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 266.4 yards of offense a game, including 71.9 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,218 yards and 10 touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following right behind with 1,000 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 762 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches, with senior Ty Dennis following with 494 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,619 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.

Senior Jerry Nash III leads the Maverick defense with 63 tackles, to go along with three fumble recoveries. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading 17.5 tackles for a loss and 111 sacks. Sophomore Jack Curtis has intercepted five passes this season, with senior Corey Brent following right behind with three.

Concerning the Mustangs: Midwestern State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-0 record, including a 24-20 win vs. Sioux Falls last weekend in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, Midwestern State is averaging 502.1 yards of total offense a game, including 311.8 passing yards a game. Its opponents have averaged 426.1 yards of offense a game, including 248.1 passing yards. 

Layton Rabb has completed 208 passes for 2,839 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Tyrique Edwards is leading the Mustang receiving corps with 659 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.

Adrian Seales has rushed for 830 yards and eight touchdowns this season, with Vincent Johnson following with 717 yards and 16 touchdown carries.

Sir'Vell Ford leads the Mustang defense with 77 tackles, with Josh Wydermyer following right behind with 73 tackles. Da Marcus Wilson has tallied a team-best three interceptions and Alec Divalerio has a team-leading four sacks.