MANKATO, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State has advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament and will now host the #2 Ferris State Bulldogs Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:04 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 464-384-28 (.545) in 876 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 an 11-10 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 92-20 (.821) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Bulldogs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Ferris State will be their first meeting.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 13-0 last weekend as it defeated Tarleton State 13-10 at Blakeslee Stadium. This is the fourth time in team history that MSU has won 13 or more games in a season and the third time in program history that it has advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, Minnesota State tallied 416 yards of offense, including 350 rushing yards as snow covered the field at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU's first scoring drive took 27 plays, as the Mavericks went 97 yards in 12:09 for the touchdown. TSU managed to tally 367 yards of offense, including 198 passing yards.

Junior Nate Gunn led the Maverick offense with 261 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also set an MSU single-game record with 50 carries. His 261 rushing yards are the most in a game since Bobby Ruffin tallied 267 yards against Bemidji State back in 2002. 

Junior Shane Zylstra also caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown. Zylstra caught the five yard touchdown pass on fourth down that wrapped up MSU's 12 minute drive. Zylstra is now tied with Josh Nelsen as MSU all-time leader in career touchdown catches with 36.

Junior Zach Robertson led the Maverick defense with eight tackles, while junior Parrish Marrow added seven tackles.

Last Week for the Bulldogs: Ferris State improved to 14-0 last weekend as it defeated Ouachita Baptist 37-14 on the road. Earlier in the NCAA Tournament, FSU defeated both Harding (21-19) and Northwest Missouri State (27-21) at home.

As a unit, the Bulldogs tallied 509 yards of offense against the Tigers, including 357 rushing yards. In comparison, Ouachita Baptist was limited to 281 yards of offense, including 195 passing yards.

Jayru Campbell completed 10-of-16 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Sy Barnett caught four of Campbell's passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Six Bulldogs tallied 38 rushing yards or more against the Tigers, including Marvin Campbell who led the way with 75 yards and a touchdown. Travis Russell added 68 rushing yards as well.

Sam Heyboer led the Bulldog defense with seven tackles and an interception. Austin Edwards recorded five tackles and blocked a field goal as well.
 
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 13-0 last weekend as it defeated Tarleton State 13-10 at Blakeslee Stadium in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, MSU has averaged 40.8 points and 460.4 yards of offense a game this season. Its opponents have averaged 15.1 points and 287.9 yards of offense a game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,556 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. His 1,556 rushing yards and 21 touchdown carries are both the most in a season in team history. Sophomore Justin Taormina has notched 467 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore JD Ekowa has added 356 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He is averaging 138.5 passing yards a game and has completed 56.1% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by a duo of juniors, Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 1,083 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 44 passes for 717 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior Alex Goettl leads the MSU defense with 80 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Sophomore Chance Bowen has tallied 28 tackles, including 12.0 for a loss and 11.0 sacks as well. Junior Zach Robertson has notched 66 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Ferris State improved to 14-0 last weekend as it bested Ouachita Baptist 37-14 on the road last weekend in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, the Bulldogs are averaging 38.6 points and 496.9 yards of offense a game this season. Opponents have 18.1 points and 327.5 yards of offense a game this season.

Jayru Campbell has completed 161-of-267 passes for 2,581 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. He has completed 60.3% of his passes this season and is averaging 198.5 passing yards a game.

Jayru Campbell is also leading the Bulldog rushing attack with 1,235 yards and 20 touchdowns. Marvin Campbell has tallied 71 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as well.

Sy Barnett and Dion Earls lead the FSU receiving corps with 38 catches this season. Barnett has tallied a team-best 877 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches.

Austin Edwards leads the Ferris State defense with 79 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. Delon Stephenson has notched 74 tackles and a team-leading seven interceptions as well.