MANKATO, Minn. --- The top-rated Minnesota State football team begins a two-game road trip this Saturday as it travels to Bemidji State to wrap up the northern portion of its NSIC schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 458-384-28 (.542) in 870 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 96-13 (.880) 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 86-20 (.811) 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 Bemidji State marks their 48th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 30-15-2 record. BSU won their last meeting 45-17 during the 2016 season at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU owns a 14-9 road record against the Beavers.

In 2016, Minnesota State recorded 352 yards of total offense against the Beavers, including 179 rushing yards. In comparison, BSU notched 563 yards of offense, including 306 passing yards.

Junior Ryan Schlichte threw for 112 yards and a touchdown. Schlichte also recorded 51 rushing yards and a touchdown carry. Junior Shane Zylstra caught a touchdown pass as well. Senior Zach Dodge tallied seven tackles, with senior Michael Palme following right behind with six.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 7-0 last weekend as it defeated Minot State 62-13 at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks have now won 20 consecutive NSIC games dating back to week 10 of the 2016 season.

The Mavericks more than doubled the Beavers' offensive output as they notched 305 rushing yards and 290 passing yards. The Beavers managed 241 yards of total offense, with 183 yards coming through the air. MSU's 595 yards of offense are the most since the Mavericks recorded 607 yards of offense against Midwestern State last season in the NCAA Tournament.

All three Maverick quarterbacks threw at least one touchdown pass Saturday afternoon as they combined to for 290 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore JD Ekowa completed nine passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Ryan Schlichte threw for 111 yards and two touchdowns. 

Seven Mavericks caught at least one pass, including junior Shane Zylstra who led the MSU receiving corps with eight catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns. This is the third time this season that Zylstra has recorded more than 100 receiving yards in a game. Junior Tyler Schmidt and sophomore Parker Gloudemans each caught a touchdown pass as well.

Senior Michael Palme led the Maverick defense with six tackles, while sophomore Jake Schaper posted four tackles and recovered a fumble.

Sophomore Justin Taormina also returned a Minot State kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.

Last Week for the Beavers: Bemidji State dropped to 5-2 last weekend as it fell to Upper Iowa 27-24. BSU led 24-6 with 8:48 to go in the third quarter, but UIU tallied 21 unanswered points to end the game with the three point win.

As a team, BSU recorded 335 yards of offense against the Peacocks, including 229 rushing yards. UIU managed to record 399 yards of offense, including 248 passing yards.

Jared Henning completed eight passes for 89 yards. Landon Jones caught four passes for 54 yards. Jones also returned the game's opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.

Andrew Lackowski led the BSU rushing attack with 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Justin Van Houtan and Gunner Olszewski led the Beaver defense with 12 tackles each. Olszewski, Michael Junker and John Vogeler each recorded an interception as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 7-0 last weekend as it bested Minot State 62-13.

As a unit, Minnesota State is averaging 44.7 points and 479.7 yards of offense a game this season. In comparison, opposing teams are averaging 18.0 points and 297.6 yards of offense a game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 702 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Sophomore Justin Taormina has notched 314 rushing yards and a touchdown, while sophomore JD Ekowa has added 266 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He is averaging 165.7 passing yards a game and has completed 61.7% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by the duo of juniors Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 657 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 22 passes for 300 yards and a touchdown.

Juniors Alex Goettl leads the MSU defense with 39 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 21 tackles, including 10.0 for a loss and 9.0 sacks as well. Sophomore Cade Johnson has also recorded 32 tackles, including four for a loss.

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend with a 5-2 record, including a 27-24 road loss at Upper Iowa last weekend.

As a unit, BSU is averaging 38.3 points and 400.7 yards of offense per game. Opponents have averaged 14.4 points and 310.4 yards of offense per game.

Andrew Lackowski and Jalen Frye lead the Bemidji State rushing attack this season. Lackowski has notched 523 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while Frye has posted 501 yards and two touchdowns.

Jared Henning has thrown for 468 yards and five touchdowns this season, with Alec Ogden following with 289 yards and five touchdown passes.

Landon Jones leads the BSU receiving corps with 450 yards and four touchdowns. Mannie Kugmeh and Jacob Anderson have each caught three touchdown passes as well. 

Gunner Olszewski leads the Beaver defense with 58 tackles, to go along with two interceptions. Michael Junker has tallied 37 tackles and a team-best four interceptions. Gabe Ames leads the BSU defense with 8.5 tackles for a loss.