MANKATO, Minn. --- #8 Minnesota State concludes its NSIC north division schedule on Saturday as it hosts the Northern State Wolves at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 441-383-28 (.534) in 851 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 83-13 (.864) 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 69-19 (.784) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Against the Wolves: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Wolves marks their ninth all-time meeting with Minnesota State owning a 7-1 record. MSU has won the last seven encounters against NSU, including a 27-10 road victory during their last meeting in 2015. During their most recent encounter, senior Evan Perrizo recorded six tackles, to go along with 1.5 sacks.

As a team, Minnesota State 404 yards of total offense, compared to 201 by Northern State. MSU rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns against the Wolves.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 3-0 last weekend as it defeated Minnesota Duluth 38-23 on the road. The Mavericks now own a 3-0 record and have won their last four encounters against the Bulldogs.

A pair of sophomores in Nate Gunn and Shane Zylstra posted career nights against UMD last weekend. Gunn finished his evening with 229 rushing yards and a touchdown. Gunn's 229 rushing yards were the second-most in a game in team history. Zylstra notched eight catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns as well and was later named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Zylstra's 204 receiving yards are the third-most in a game in team history.

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte finished his night completing eight passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman JD Ekowa completed four passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, junior Michael Palme paced the Mavericks with 13 tackles, including one for a loss. Both seniors Joel Ngoyi and Evan Perrizo recorded a sack in the game, while senior Jerry Nash III recovered one fumble. The MSU defense limited UMD to just 59 rushing yards.

Last Week for the Wolves: Northern State fell to 1-2 on the season last weekend as it lost to Upper Iowa 31-14 at home. NSU has now lost its last two games. 

As a team, NSU mustered just 154 yards of total offense against the Peacocks last season, while UIU notched 410 yards. 

Northern State's two touchdowns came courtesy of a 97-yard kick return from Zech Culbreath and a one-yard touchdown pass from Jake Comeaux to Nicholas Truen.

Eitenne Ezeff led the NSU defense with nine tackles, while Brian Sumption recorded two interceptions. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 3-0 record after defeating Minnesota Duluth 38-23 last weekend on the road.

So far this season, MSU is averaging 526.0 yards of total offense a game, including 319.0 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 326.7 yards of offense a game, including 96.3 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 496 yards and four touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following with 179 yards and two touchdowns. 

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 282 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 420 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Junior Michael Palme leads the Maverick defense with 21 tackles, to go along with 2.0 tackles for a loss and one sack. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading five tackles for a loss and two sacks, and senior Jerry Nash III has three fumble recoveries and one interception.

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the week the owner of a 1-2 record, including a 31-14 loss to Upper Iowa last weekend. NSU has now lost its last two games.

The Northern State offense is averaging 225.0 yards per game, compared to its opponents 404.7 yards a game. The Wolves are averaging 156.7 yards per game through the air as well.

Nicholas Truen leads the NSU rushing attack with 138 yards and Zech Culbreath has caught seven passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Comeaux has completed 50 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns, but has thrown five interceptions.

On defense, the Wolves are led by Etienne Ezeff and Alex Gray who each have team-best 19 tackles. Brian Sumption has 11 tackles on the season and two interceptions.