MANKATO, Minn. --- The sixth-rated Minnesota State football teams opens NSIC South Division competition this Saturday as it travels to Concordia-St. Paul. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 442-383-28 (.535) in 852 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 84-13 (.865) 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 70-19 (.786) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Against the Golden Bears: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Golden Bears marks their 12th all-time meeting between them, with MSU holding a 9-2 advantage. The Mavericks have won their last six meetings against CSP, including a 45-10 win last season at Blakeslee Stadium. 

Senior Erik Fuller and sophomore Shane Zylstra both caught a pair of touchdown passes in MSU's win against CSP last season, while junior Zach Dodge recorded three tackles for a loss. Juniors Jayme LaPlante and Michael Palme each recorded a sack as well.

As a team, MSU recorded 484 yards of total offense against Concordia-St. Paul last season, including 291 passing yards. On defense, the Mavericks held the Golden Bears to 254 yards of offense, including 128 rushing yards.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 4-0 this past weekend as it defeated Northern State 36-0 at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU, which improved to 8-1 all-time against the Wolves, recorded its first shutout since week three of the 2015 season when it defeated the University of Mary 48-0 at home.

Sophomore running back Nate Gunn recorded 123 rushing yards and two touchdown carries in MSU's win. Gunn has now rushed for more than 100 yards in all four games this season. Senior Ty Dennis led the Maverick receiving corps with six catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte finished the game completing 13-of-15 passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns. He has now thrown three touchdown passes in back-to-back games this season.

On defense, senior Jerry Nash III led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, while junior Zach Dodge tallied 2.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Junior Jayme LaPlante also recorded a sack, while sophomore Dylan Jiles tallied an interception. As a team, MSU held the Wolves to 216 yards of total offense, including 83 rushing yards. The Maverick defense also kept the Wolves out of the redzone all game long as well.

Last Week for the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul fell to 1-3 this past weekend after it fell to MSU Moorhead 21-20 on the road. CSP has now lost its last three games.

As a team, CSP tallied 453 yards of offense compared to MSU Moorhead's 390 yards. The Golden Bears did reach the redzone five times and came away with four scores.

Ron Johnson completed eight passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Elias Arlington caught eight passes for 80 yards, while Marcus Gustaveson caught three passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, CSP was led by Darnell Rolle who tallied 163 yards and a touchdown. Jonas Schenderlein went 2-of-3 in field goal attempts as he connected from 35 and 23 yards out.

Billy Brown led the CSP defense with 13 tackles against MSU Moorhead, while Frantz Polimice notched 12. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 4-0 record after shutting out Northern State 36-0 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium. 

So far this season, MSU is averaging 497.5 yards of total offense a game, including 302.8 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 299 yards of offense a game, including 93 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 619 yards and six touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following with 225 yards and two touchdowns. 

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 295 receiving yards and five touchdown catches, while senior Ty Dennis has posted 216 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 540 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

Junior Michael Palme leads the Maverick defense with 24 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 Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-3 record, including a 21-20 loss to MSU Moorhead on the road last weekend. CSP has lost its last three games.

Concordia-St. Paul is averaging 355.2 yards per game this season, including 221 yards through the air. In comparison, opposing offenses are recorded 417.2 yards per game, including 212.2 yards on the ground.

Darnell leads the CSP rushing attack with 336 yards and two touchdown carries. Maxon Hutton has passed for 709 yards and five touchdowns, but has also thrown six interceptions. Elias Arlington has recorded 248 receiving yards and a touchdown catch, with Marcus Gustaveson following right behind with 224 yards and three touchdown catches. 

On defense, the Golden Bears are led by Brian Szutkowski who has a team-best 30 tackles and two tackles for a loss. Breon Hoosier has tallied 18 tackles and a team-leading two sacks as well.