MANKATO, Minn. --- With its win over Midwestern State last weekend, the Minnesota State football team will continue its season in the third round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday as it hosts Texas A&M-Commerce 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 451-383-28 (.539) in 862 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 9-9 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 79-19 (.806) 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 Lions: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Texas A&M-Commerce will be their first meeting.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State bested Midwestern State 63-21 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU now owns a 13-0 record on the season. Minnesota State's 63 points are the most points it has scored in an NCAA Tournament game.

As they have all season long, the Mavericks dominated the run game as they notched 502 rushing yards against the Mustangs, which are the most in a game since MSU tallied 526 rushing yards against Upper Iowa back in 2013. Sophomore Nate Gunn rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns, which marks the ninth time this season he has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game. Freshman Justin Taormina added 134 rushing yards as well, marking the fifth time he has passed the 100 rushing yard plateau this season. Freshman JD Ekowa also added 75 rushing yards and two touchdown carries as well.

Senior Shane Zylstra, sophomore Justin Arnold and freshman Nyles Williams each caught a touchdown pass. Zylstra has now caught 15 touchdown passes this season, which ties the MSU single-season record set by Dorian Buford during the 2014 season. The Maverick offense was not forced to punt once against Midwestern State.

The Maverick defense limited the high-scoring Mustangs to 21 points and 285 yards of total offense. Prior to its game against the Mavericks, Midwestern State was averaging more than 500 yards of offense a game. Senior Jerry Nash III came away with an interception, while senior Evan Perrizo notched one sack.

Last Week for the Lions: Texas A&M-Commerce overcame a 28-7 deficit in the second half to defeat Central Washington 34-31 in double overtime last weekend. The Lions now own an 11-1 record this season.

As a team, TAMCU notched 429 yards of total offense against CWU, including 394 passing yards. Central Washington managed to post 487 yards of offense, including 222 rushing yards.

Quarterback Luis Perez finished with 394 passing yards and three touchdowns, but he threw four interceptions. 

Buck Wilson led the A&M-Commerce receiving corps with 12 catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Marquis Wimberly caught nine passes for 120 yards as well.

Brucks Saathoff led the Lion defense with 11 tackles and a sack, while Garrett Lubaugh added eight tackles and an interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 13-0 on the season after defeating Midwestern State 63-21 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium. 

MSU is averaging 473.6 yards of total offense a game, including 297.5 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 267.8 yards of offense a game, including 68.3 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,411 yards and 12 touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following right behind with 1,134 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 787 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches, with senior Ty Dennis following with 494 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,712 yards and 23 touchdowns this season.

Senior Jerry Nash III leads the Maverick defense with 66 tackles, to go along with three fumble recoveries. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading 18.5 tackles for a loss and 12.0 sacks. Sophomore Jack Curtis has intercepted five passes this season, with senior Corey Brent following right behind with three.

Concerning the Lions: Texas A&M-Commerce enters the weekend the owner of an 11-1 record, including a 34-31 win against Central Washington in double overtime. 

As a team, TAMUC is averaging 38.2 points and 457.5 yards of offense a game this season. The Lions are posting 363.5 passing yards a game and are limiting their opponents to 299.1 yards of offense and 15.5 points a game this season.

Luis Perez has thrown for 4,133 yards and 41 touchdowns this season, compared to 10 interceptions. Three Lions have posted more than 600 receiving yards this season, including Buck Wilson who has tallied 920 yards and 11 touchdowns. D'Arthur Cowen has tallied 607 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches as well.

Carandal Hale leads the TAMUC rushing attack with 697 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, the Lions are led by Brucks Saathoff who has a team-leading 78 tackles. Kieston Carter has a team-best 15.5 tackles for a loss this season and Alex Shillow and Dominique Ramsey each have three interceptions.