MANKATO, Minn. --- The #20 Minnesota State football team kicks off its 2017 campaign on Thursday evening as it takes on the University of Mary Marauders in Bismarck, N.D., at 6:00 p.m.
Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 438-383-28 (.532) in 849 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 80-13 (.860) 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 66-19 (.776) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015.
Against the Marauders: Thursday's game between the Mavericks and the Marauders marks their fifth all-time meeting between them, with MSU owning a 4-0 record. Minnesota State defeated U-Mary 48-0 during their previous encounter at Blakeslee Stadium in 2015. The Mavericks are 2-0 against the Marauders in Bismarck, including a 34-21 win during the 2013 season.
During their 2015 meeting, senior
Ty Dennis caught four passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Dennis' 109 receiving yards marked the first of five times during his career in which he posted more than 100 receiving yards in a game.
On defense, senior
Corey Brent recorded three tackles, while senior
Evan Perrizo recovered one fumble.
As a team, the Mavericks recorded 575 yards of total offense, while holding U-Mary to 215 yards. MSU tallied 316 passing yards and two touchdowns in its win against the Marauders, to go along with 259 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2016 season with an 8-3 record, marking the ninth straight season that the Mavericks have finished with a winning record. MSU finished in a tie for third in the overall NSIC standings and in a tie for second in the south division standings.
As a team, MSU tallied 4,558 yards of total offense last season, including 2,693 passing yards which were the ninth most in a season in program history. MSU also scored 366 points last season which were the eighth most in a season in school history.
Four Mavericks return from last season's squad who recorded more than 300 receiving yards. Senior
Ty Dennis led the Maverick receiving corps for the second straight season with 630 yards, to go along with eight touchdown catches. Sophomore
Shane Zylstra added 499 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while senior
Erik Fuller caught 33 passes for 319 yards and a team-best 10 touchdown catches. Sophomore
Justin Arnold recorded 332 receiving yards and two touchdown catches as well.
Sophomore
Ryan Schlichte returns after throwing for 293 yards and four touchdowns during his freshman season. Against Bemidji State, Schlichte completed 11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.
The Maverick defense held opponents to 23.1 points per game last season and came up with 22 turnovers a season ago.
Both senior
Evan Perrizo and junior
Zach Dodge return after leading the Mavericks in sacks with 8.5. Perrizo also notched 13.5 tackles for a loss, with Dodge following right behind with 12.5.
Senior
Larry Moore led the Mavericks last season with three interceptions. Senior
Corey Brent returns as MSU's leading tackler, having posted 54 tackles in 2016.
Concerning the Marauders: The University of Mary finished its 2016 season with a 1-10 record, including a 0-4 mark against NSIC south division opponents.
As a team, U-Mary averaged 10.5 points and 233.5 yards of offense a game last season. Its opponents averaged 43.5 points and 490 yards per game in 2016.
Nick McCann threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns in four games last season, while Colton Farmer passed for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Sam Mackedanz returns to the U-Mary receiving corps after posting 13 catches for 193 yards and tow touchdowns.
Both Chris Kraft and Jacob Parker return from the Marauder defense last season. Kraft recorded 62 tackles and one sack, while Parker added 48 tackles and two interceptions.
