MANKATO, Minn. --- The first-ranked Minnesota State football team wraps up its regular season schedule on Saturday as it travels to #13 Sioux Falls. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 448-383-28 (.538) in 858 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 90-13 (.873) 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 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 76-19 (.800) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

NSIC Champs: With its 48-27 win last weekend against Wayne State, Minnesota State has now won at least a share of the NSIC Championship and the NSIC South Division Championship. This is the fifth 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.

Regional Rankings: Minnesota State moved up to first in the latest edition of the NCAA Super Region 4 rankings. Teams from the NSIC, Lone Star Conference (LSC), Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) make up Super Region 4. Seven teams from each of the four super regions will be named to the NCAA Tournament, with #1 seeds receiving a first-round bye. The NCAA Selection Show will be streamed on NCAA.com this Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Against the Cougars: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their seventh all-time meeting, with MSU holding a 4-2 series edge. USF defeated MSU 24-14 season at Blakeslee Stadium last season.

Sophomore Shane Zylstra caught three passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, while senior Ty Dennis caught five passes for 48 yards.

On defense, senior Brendan Chrystal led the Mavericks with 13 tackles, while senior Evan Perrizo notched eight tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Senior Larry Moore recorded one interception as well.

As a team, the Mavericks tallied 313 yards of total offense against USF last season, including 225 passing yards. The Cougars finished with 476 yards of offense, including 346 rushing yards.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 10-0 last weekend as it defeated Wayne State 48-27 at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks have now won their last 12 games.

As a unit, MSU tallied 580 yards of offense, including 397 rushing yards. WSC was able to tally 320 yards of offense, including 257 passing yards.

Freshman Justin Taormina led the MSU ground attack with 203 rushing yards and three touchdown carries. Sophomore Ryan Schlichte threw for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Ty Dennis, junior Trevor Nissen and sophomore Tyler Schmidt each caught a touchdown pass.

Senior Larry Moore led the Maverick defense with six tackles two broken up passes. Senior Brendan Chrystal recovered a fumble and sophomore Jack Curtis posted an interception.

Last Week for the Cougars: #13 Sioux Falls improved to 9-1 last weekend as it defeated Upper Iowa 19-7 last weekend in Fayette. USF has now won its last four outings, three of which have been on the road.

As a team, Sioux Falls tallied 336 yards of offense against UIU, including 183 rushing yards. The Cougars limited Upper Iowa to 237 yards, including just 70 rushing yards.

Jason Towns rushed for 120 yards, while Ian Fieber completed 15 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. Ty Smith caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown as well.

Michael Atonio recorded a team-leading six tackles, while Kyle Campiotti returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns an 10-0 record after besting Wayne State 48-27 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium.

So far this season, MSU is averaging 502.6 yards of total offense a game, including 312 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 265.8 yards of offense a game, including 65 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 926 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 638 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches, with senior Ty Dennis following with 440 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,403 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

Junior Michael Palme leads the Maverick defense with 50 tackles, to go along with 4.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading 13.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. Sophomore Jack Curtis has intercepted four passes this season, with senior Corey Brent following right behind with three.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 9-1 record, including a 19-7 road win at Upper Iowa last week.

As a team, Sioux Falls is averaging 382.9 yards of total offense a game this season, including 198.9 rushing yards a game. In comparison, its opponents have averaged 230.5 yards a game, including 60.7 rushing yards.

Jason Towns has rushed for 726 yards and six touchdowns this season. Ian Fieber has thrown for 1,625 yards and eight touchdowns, but has thrown six interceptions. Anthony Holmes leads the USF receiving corps with 528 yards and two touchdown catches.

Dennis Gardeck and Michael Atonio lead the USF defense with 62 tackles each. Gardeck also has a team-best 19 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks. Ayinde Warren leads USF with three interceptions and Noah St. Pierre has defended 11 passes.