MANKATO, Minn. --- The eighth-ranked Minnesota State football team will head north on Saturday to take on #20 Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 440-383-28 (.533) in 850 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 82-13 (.863) 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 68-19 (.781) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Against the Bulldogs: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Bulldogs marks their 38th all-time meeting with Minnesota Duluth leading the series 20-16-1. The Mavericks own a three-game winning streak over UMD, including a 20-17 win during their last meeting in 2015.

During their 2015 meeting at Blakeslee Stadium, senior Ty Dennis caught a 72 yard touchdown pass on MSU's opening drive of the second half. On defense, senior Evan Perrizo tallied five tackles and forced a fumble.

As a team, Minnesota State posted 380 yards of total offense, including 225 rushing yards. The Maverick defense held Minnesota Duluth to 257 yards of offense in their last encounter and came away with two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State won its second game of the season last weekend as it defeated the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles 56-19 at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU has now won its last four games dating back to last season.

The Mavericks recorded 661 yards of total offense against the Golden Eagles, while allowing just 310. The MSU rushing attack accounted for 440 yards, while four different Maverick receivers caught a touchdown pass. 

On special team, junior Casey Bednarski claimed NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week honors as he went 4-for-4 in field goal attempts, including an MSU and NSIC record 63-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

A trio of Mavericks including sophomores Nate Gunn and Ian Pribyl, and freshman Justin Taormina, tallied more than 90 yards on the ground. Pribyl led the way with 133 yards, while Gunn notched 102 rushing yards and a touchdown. Taormina tallied 92 rushing yards as well.

Both sophomore Ryan Schlichte and freshman JD Ekowa threw a pair of touchdown passes against UMC. A total of eight Mavericks caught at least one pass, including sophomores Vance Barnes, Justin Arnold  and Shane Zylstra, and freshman Nyles Williams, who each caught a touchdown pass. Zylstra led the MSU receiving corps with 70 receiving yards as well.

On defense, MSU recorded four sacks and 10 tackles for a loss as a unit. Senior Brendan Chrystal led the Mavericks with seven tackles, to go along with one tackle for a loss and a sack. Senior Evan Perrizo added two tackles for a loss and a sack, while senior Jerry Nash III recorded an interception.

Last Week for the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth improved to 1-1 on the season last weekend as it defeated Upper Iowa 33-21 on the road. UMD trailed UIU 21-17 at the end of the third quarter but would rally for 16 points in the fourth to secure the win.

John Larson threw for 103 yards and a touchdown in the win, while Dominic Bonner led the UMD receiving corps with 65 yards and a touchdown.

Anthony Wood led the Bulldog rushing attack with 82 yards, while Austin Sylvester added 80 yards and a touchdown.

Bryce Juedes led the Bulldog defense with seven tackles, while Bishop McDonald recorded an interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 2-0 record after defeating Minnesota Crookston 56-19 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium. 

So far this season, MSU is averaging 540.5 yards of total offense a game, including 356.5 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 298 yards of offense a game, including 115 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 267 yards and three touchdowns, with Justin Taormina following with 165 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Ty Dennis leads MSU receivers with 122 yards. Freshman JD Ekowa has thrown three touchdown passes, with sophomore Ryan Schlichte following right behind with two.

Senior Brendan Chrystal leads the Maverick defense with 12 tackles. Senior Evan Perrizo owns a team-best 4.0 tackles for a loss. Senior Jerry Nash III has two fumble recoveries and one interception on the season as well.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the week the owner of a 1-1 record, including a 33-21 win over Upper Iowa last weekend on the road.

The UMD offense is averaging 328.5 yards a game, compared to 262 yards a game by its opponents. The Bulldogs are averaging 213.5 passing yards a game.

Austin Sylvester leads the Minnesota Duluth rushing attack with 93 yards a touchdown. Mike Rybarczyk has completed 28 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown, while Jason Balts has caught 11 passes for 134 yards.

On defense, the Bulldogs are led by Gus Wedig and Mitchell Johnson-Martin who each have 12 tackles this season. Wedig also leads the team in tackles for a loss with three.