MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 1 Minnesota State will continue its season in the third round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday as it hosts #6 Tarleton State at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 463-384-28 (.545) in 875 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 six NSIC championships. The Mavericks are making their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this  season. MSU owns a 10-10 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 91-20 (.819) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Texans: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Tarleton State will be the first meeting between them.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 12-0 last weekend as it defeated CSU-Pueblo 24-10 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Blakeslee Stadium. With the win, MSU improved its all-time record in the NCAA Tournament to 10-10.

MSU recorded 329 yards of offense against the ThunderWolves, including 187 passing yards. CSUP tallied 291 yards of offense, with 200 yards coming through the air.

Junior Nate Gunn rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown, marking the seventh time this season that he has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game. Both juniors Justin Arnold and Shane Zylstra caught a touchdown pass against CSU-Pueblo. Zylstra led the team with 90 receiving yards, while Arnold notched 75.

Both junior Jack Curtis and sophomore Cade Johnson recorded an interception against the ThunderWolves, while senior Michael Palme recovered a fumble. Junior Zach Robertson led the Mavericks with 10 tackles, while juniors Jordan Bergren and Alex Goettl each tallied seven.

Last Week for the Texans: Tarleton State improved to 12-0 last weekend as it bested Texas A&M-Commerce 34-28 in Stephenville, Texas. It's 12 wins are the most in a season in program history.

Daniel McCants led the TSU rushing attack with 181 yards and two touchdowns, while Ben Holmes rushed for 94 yards. Holmes also completed 10-of-21 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown, to go along with two interceptions. Xavier Turner also tallied 85 rushing yards and a touchdown.

DeShun Qualls led the Tarleton State receiving corps with three catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Zimari Manning caught two passes for 51 yards.

EJ Speed led the Texan defense with 11 tackles, while Tavaris Owens posted 2.5 sacks. ChadWick Thibodeaux and David Fangupo each recovered a fumble as well.
 
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 12-0 after it defeated CSU-Pueblo 24-10 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend.

As a team, MSU has averaged 43.1 points and 464.1 yards of offense a game this season. Its opponents have averaged 15.5 points and 281.3 yards of offense a game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,295 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Gunn's 20 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 342 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,760 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He is averaging 146.7 passing yards a game and has completed 57.9% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by a duo of juniors, Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 1,053 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 42 passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior Alex Goettl leads the MSU defense with 77 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 27 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss and 10.5 sacks as well. Senior Michael Palme has notched 56 tackles, including six for a loss, and two sacks.

Concerning the Texans: Tarleton State improved to 12-0 last weekend as it defeated #15 Texas A&M-Commerce 34-28 at home. TSU's 12 wins are the most in a season in team history.

As a team, the Texans are averaging 47.9 points and 528.5 yards of offense a game this season, while giving up 16.8 points and 293.8 yards of offense a game. TSU is averaging 321.8 rushing yards a game as well.

Xavier Turner leads the TSU rushing attack with 1,391 yards and 22 touchdown carries. Daniel McCants has posted 1,124 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as well.

Ben Holmes has thrown for 2,461 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, compared to six interceptions. Zimari Manning leads the Texan receivers with 39 catches for 807 yards and 11 touchdowns. JF Thomas has caught 21 passes for 508 yards and six touchdowns as well.

EJ Speed leads the TSU defense with 89 tackles, including 12 for a loss and five sacks. Jai Edwards has tallied 79 tackles and three interceptions, while Prince Robinson has notched 57 tackles and five interceptions.

Football Luncheon: The Minnesota State football luncheons will take place the day before each home game at 11:45 a.m., at the Loose Moose. The luncheons will feature a coach's presentation, Q&A with Maverick student-athletes and video. The luncheons are open to the public.