MANKATO, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State will make its 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this Saturday as it hosts #9 CSU-Pueblo at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 462-384-28 (.544) in 874 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922.  Minnesota State is in its 11th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 99-13 (.883) 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 are making their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this  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 90-20 (.818) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the ThunderWolves: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and CSU-Pueblo marks their third all-time meeting with the series tied 1-1. Both of their previous meetings came in the NCAA Tournament with CSU-Pueblo winning the first encounter 13-0 in 2014. Minnesota State prevailed in their meeting in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season with a 16-13 victory in overtime.

The game between the Mavericks and the ThunderWolves last season proved to be a defensive struggle as MSU managed just 254 yards off offense, while CSUP managed 149 yards. Both team's fared better in the run game with the Mavericks posting 156 yards, while the ThunderWolves notched 78.

Sophomore JD Ekowa recorded the lone touchdown for the Mavericks last season, which came via a 20-yard touchdown run two minutes into the fourth quarter, while junior Nate Gunn tallied 103 rushing yards. Senior Casey Bednarski also went 3-of-3 in field goal attempts as he connected from 29, 30 and 37 yards out. On defense, senior Michael Palme notched five tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, while sophomore Ty'Shonan Brooks intercepted a pass.

Austin Micci notched CSUP's lone touchdown last season, while Marche Dennard recorded 57 rushing yards. Mitchell Carter went 2-of-3 in field goal attempts as he connected from 45 and 27 yards out. Carter missed a 40 yard attempt in overtime. Brandon Payer and Kyle Rosenbrock each recorded 11 tackles, while Tanner Draper intercepted two passes.

About Our Last Outing: Minnesota State improved to 11-0 two weeks ago as it defeated Upper Iowa 47-7 to lock down its sixth NSIC Championship since joining the league in 2008. MSU has now won its last 24 NSIC games. 

The Mavericks tallied 460 yards of total offense against the Peacocks, including 268 rushing yards. In comparison, UIU was limited to 168 yards of offense, including 80 rushing yards.

Junior Nate Gunn and sophomore Justin Taormina each tallied 92 rushing yards. Taormina notched a pair of rushing touchdowns, while Gunn added one of his own.

Junior Ryan Schlichte completed eight passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Juniors Justin Arnold and Shane Zylstra each caught a touchdown pass, while Arnold led the receiving corps with four catches for 66 yards.

Junior Alex Goettl led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, while sophomores Cole Schroedermeier, Michael Buetow and Chance Bowen each recorded an interception.

Last Week for the ThunderWolves: CSU-Pueblo improved to 11-1 last weekend as it bested Colorado School of Mines 37-17 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on the road.

Marche Dennard notched 125 rushing yards and two touchdown carries, while Brandon Edwards completed 15 passes for 115 yards.

The CSUP defense recorded four turnovers against CSM, with both Darius Williams and Jamaal Sears returning interceptions for touchdowns. Jackson Wibbles recorded 10 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks as well.
 
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 11-0 after it defeated Upper Iowa 47-7 in the final week of the regular season.

As a team, MSU has averaged 44.8 points and 476.4 yards of offense a game this season. Its opponents have averaged 16.0 points and 280.5 yards of offense a game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,181 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Gunn's 19 rushing touchdowns are the most in a season in team history. Sophomore Justin Taormina has notched 451 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore JD Ekowa has added 344 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,641 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He is averaging 149.2 passing yards a game and has completed 59.9% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by a duo of juniors, Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 963 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 36 passes for 613 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior Alex Goettl leads the MSU defense with 70 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 26 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss and 10.5 sacks as well. Senior Michael Palme has notched 51 tackles, including six for a loss, and two sacks.

Concerning the ThunderWolves: CSU-Pueblo enters the week the owner of an 11-1 record, including its 37-17 win over Colorado School of Mines last weekend in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, CSUP has averaged 38.7 points and 419.7 yards of offense per game this season. Its opponents have averaged 12.3 points and 234.5 yards of offense a game this season.

Marche Dennard leads the team's rushing attack with 918 yards and 11 touchdowns. Austin Micci is following right behind with 860 yards and eight touchdown carries.

Brandon Edwards has thrown for 1,574 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Kevin Ribarich leads the ThunderWolve receiving corps with 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns. 

Brandon Payer is leading the CSUP defense with 98 tackles, including 20 for a loss. Jackson Wibbels leads the team in sacks with 11.5 and Emery Taylor has notched seven interceptions.