MANKATO, Minn. --- The No. 1 Minnesota State football team will take to the road this weekend as it takes on the MSU Moorhead Dragons on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 456-384-28 (.541) in 868 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 94-13 (.878) 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 84-20 (.807) record, including four NSIC Championships and five trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Against the Dragons: Saturday's game between the Mavericks and the Dragons marks the 37th meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 23-13. Minnesota State has won its last five encounters with MSU Moorhead, including a 28-14 win during their last meeting in 2016.

In 2016, The Mavericks tallied 356 yards of total offense, including 176 rushing and 180 passing yards. The Maverick defense also recorded three interceptions.

Junior Shane Zylstra caught three passes for 88 yards and a touchdown, while senior Trevor Nissen caught two passes for 11 yards. On defense, senior Michael Palme recorded four tackles, while junior Alex Goettl recovered a fumble.

Zach Sweep rushed for 31 yards against the Mavericks, while Evan Moore caught one pass for 19 yards. On defense, Michael Strand posted eight tackles, while Aaron Doan tallied six.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 5-0 on the season as it bested St. Cloud State 45-10 during its annual Homecoming game at Blakelsee Stadium. MSU has now won its last 18 NSIC contests dating back to week 10 of the 2016 season.

Trailing 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks would go on to score five straight touchdowns to go up 35-3 with 12:39 left in the third quarter. SCSU managed to reach the end zone with just over eight minutes to go in the third quarter, but MSU added 10 more points in the fourth to pull away with the 45-10 win.

Senior Jayme LaPlante and junior Alex Goettl each returned an SCSU fumble for a touchdown. Goettl also returned an interception to the SCSU three, with the Maverick offense reaching the end zone on the following play. Goettl finished with five tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack. Sophomore Chance Bowen notched a team-leading seven tackles, including three for a loss, and two sacks. As a unit, the Maverick defense allowed just 160 yards of offense, as it notched 11 tackles for a loss and six sacks.

Junior Nate Gunn rushed for 100 yards against the Huskies, while junior Shane Zylstra caught five passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Junior Ryan Schlichte and sophomore JD Ekowa each recorded a touchdown pass and a touchdown carry.

As a unit, the MSU offense tallied 387 yards of total offense against the Huskies, including 212 rushing yards. 

Last Week for the Dragons: MSU Moorhead improved to 4-1 on the season last weekend as it defeated Upper Iowa 17-13 on the road. The Dragons have now won their last three games. 

As a team, MSUM recorded 359 yards of total offense against the Peacocks, including 217 passing yards. Upper Iowa was able to record 387 yards of offense against the Dragons, including 313 passing yards.

Jakup Sinani threw for 217 yards and one touchdown. He also tallied a team-leadig 74 rushing yards. Zach Simons recorded a touchdown carry as well.

Jake Richter caught six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Peacocks. Grady Bresnahan caught 11 passes for 83 yards as well.

Aaron Doan led the Dragon defense with 14 tackles, while Shad Vedaa notched 11 tackles, including three for a loss. Deiondre Taylor notched five tackles and one interception as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 5-0 last weekend after its 45-10 win over St. Cloud State.

As a unit, Minnesota State is averaging 41.8 points and 476.8 yards of offense a game this season. In comparison, opposing teams are averaging 18.6 points and 307.4 yards of offense a game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 530 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomore Justin Taormina has notched 228 rushing yards and a touchdown, while sophomore JD Ekowa has added 228 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 846 yards and five touchdowns this season. He is averaging 169.2 passing yards a game and has completed 63.4% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by the duo of juniors Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 393 receiving yards and five touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 16 passes for 216 yards.

Juniors Alex Goettl leads the MSU defense with 28 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 3.0 sacks. Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 14 tackles, including six for a loss and five sacks as well. Sophomore Cade Johnson has also recorded 26 tackles, including three for a loss.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead improved to 4-1 last weekend as it defeated Upper Iowa 17-13 on the road.

As a team, MSUM is averaging 29.6 points and 390 yards of offense per game this season. The Dragon offense is averaging 172.6 rushing yards and 217.4 passing yards a game.

Jakup Sinani has thrown for 830 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while completing 62% of his passes. Grady Bresnahan has caught 32 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown, while Jake Richter has caught 24 passes for 454 yards and six touchdowns.

Zach Simons has rushed for a team leading 265 yards and five touchdowns this season. Denver Colgrove has rushed for 205 yards and a touchdown as well.

Aaron Doan has tallied a team-best 46 tackles, while Deiondre Taylor has recorded 34 tackles and three interceptions. Darius Woods-Steichen has notched a seven tackles for a loss and five sacks as well.