MANKATO, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State returns to Blakeslee Stadium on Saturday as it hosts the Minot State Beavers. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 457-384-28 (.542) in 869 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 95-13 (.879) 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 also made their 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns a 9-10 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

Grabbing the Reins: The 2018 season marks the ninth season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his nine seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled an 85-20 (.808) record, including four NSIC Championships and five trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Against the Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their fourth meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 3-0. MSU defeated Minot State 35-7 on the road during their last meeting back in 2016.

In 2016, Minnesota State tallied 503 yards of offense against the Beavers, including 291 rushing yards. MSU also limited the Beavers to 252 yards of offense, including 40 rushing yards.

Junior Ryan Schlichte completed two passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, including a 10 yard touchdown pass to junior Justin Arnold. Senior Trevor Nissen caught three passes for 70 yards as well. On defense, senior Michael Palme notched six tackles.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 6-0 on the season after its 42-20 road victory over MSU Moorhead last weekend. The Mavericks have now won 19 consecutive NSIC games.

As a team, MSU notched 374 yards of offense against the Dragons, including 223 passing yards. The Dragons managed 290 yards of offense, with 212 coming through the air.

Junior Ryan Schlichte completed 12-of-22 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Shane Zylstra caught five passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, while junior Justin Arnold caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Zylstra has now posted more than 100 receiving yards in five games during his career with the Mavericks. Junior Nate Gunn added 90 rushing yards and three touchdown carries as well.

The Maverick defense set an MSU single-game record as it recorded 10 sacks against the Dragons. Sophomore Chance Bowen led the Maverick defense with three sacks, while junior Alex Goettl posted a team-best eight tackles. Bowen and junior Jack Curtis each recovered a fumble as well. 

Last Week for the Beavers: Minot State fell to 1-5 last weekend as Upper Iowa defeated the Beavers 44-9. MISU has now lost its last three games.

As a team, MISU tallied 280 yards of offense against the Peacocks, including 159 passing yards. UIU was able to notch 452 yards of offense, including 290 rushing yards. 

Ben Bolinske threw for 143 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw three interceptions. Bolinske also rushed for a lead-leading 48 yards.

Lavante Bushnell caught seven passes for 52 yards, while Lofton Klabunde tallied two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Jemal Williams led the MISU defense with eight tackles, while Jordan Will and Jackson Green each tallied seven tackles, including one sack.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 6-0 last weekend as it defeated MSU Moorhead 42-20 on the road.

As a unit, Minnesota State is averaging 41.8 points and 459.7 yards of offense a game this season. In comparison, opposing teams are averaging 18.8 points and 304.5 yards of offense a game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 620 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Sophomore Justin Taormina has notched 240 rushing yards and a touchdown, while sophomore JD Ekowahas added 255 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,049 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He is averaging 174.8 passing yards a game and has completed 61.5% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by the duo of juniors Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 525 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 20 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown.

Juniors Alex Goettl leads the MSU defense with 36 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 18 tackles, including 9.0 for a loss and 8.0 sacks as well. Sophomore Cade Johnson has also recorded 29 tackles, including three for a loss.

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-5 record. The Beavers have lost their last three games, including a 44-9 loss to Upper Iowa at home last weekend.

As a team, MISU is averaging 258.5 yards and 17.3 points per game this season, with its opponents averaging 499 yards and 41.3 points a game. The Beavers are averaging 143.1 passing yards a game this season.

Ben Bolinske has thrown for 739 yards and six touchdowns. He has also thrown six interceptions and leads the MISU rushing attack with 304 yards and three touchdown carries.

Lavante Bushnell leads the Beaver receiving corps with 314 yards and four touchdowns. Peyton Lamoureaux has tallied 174 receiving yards as well.

Chris Rivers leads the Minot State defense with 42 tackles and two interceptions. Kiante Goudeau has tallied 35 tackles and three interceptions as well. Logan Kruegerh has notched a team-leading 4.0 tackles for a loss and two sacks.