MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team has received the No. 1 ranking in the D2Football.com Preseason Poll.

MSU, which finished the 2017 season with a 13-1 record, advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament last season. The Mavericks are one of three NSIC teams ranked in the top-25. Winona State took the 17th spot in the poll, with Sioux Falls following right behind in 18th.

In addition, four Mavericks including senior Casey Bednarski and juniors Shane Zylstra, Nate Gunn and Evan Heim were named to the D2Football.com Preseason All-American Teams. Bednarski and Zylstra received D2Football.com Preseason All-American First Team honors, while Gunn and Heim claimed D2Football.com Preseason All-American Second Team honors.

A kicker from Oconomowoc, Wis., Bednarski established two MSU single-season records with 25 field goals and 134 points scored. Bednarski also kicked a 63-yard field goal against Minnesota Crookston that set and MSU and NSIC record. Bednarski was named to several All-American teams for his efforts during the 2017 season including the AFCA, AP, D2CCA, D2Football.com and Don Hansen.

A wide receiver from Spicer, Minn., Zylstra caught 51 passes for 861 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 15 touchdown catches tied an MSU single-season record. Zylstra tallied more than 100 receiving yards in three games during the 2017 season and was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year.

A tailback from Minooka, Ill., Gunn set an MSU single-season record with 1,550 rushing yards last season. Gunn, who was named the NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year last season, rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 games last season as he averaged 140.9 rushing yards a game and 6.3 yards per carry.

On offensive lineman from DePere, Wis., Heim started in all 14 games for the Mavericks last season. As a member of the offensive line, Heim helped MSU set a single-season record of 4,036 rushing yards as he went on to receive All-NSIC First Team honors.

Minnesota State opens its 2018 season on Thursday, Aug. 30, as it hosts the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

D2Football.com Poll
 

Team		2017 Record
1	Minnesota State	13-1
2	Texas A&M-Commerce	14-1
3	West Florida	11-4
4	IUP	13-1
5	Northwest Missouri	9-3
6	Central Washington	11-1
7	Ferris State	11-2
8	Midwestern State	10-1
9	Fort Hays	11-1
10	Harding	11-4
11	West Alabama	10-3
12	Indianapolis	11-1
13	CSU-Pueblo	9-3
14	Grand Valley	8-3
15	Shepherd	10-1
16	Ashland	11-2
17	Winona State	10-2
18	Sioux Falls	9-3
19	Central Missouri	9-3
20	Assumption	11-2
21	West Georgia	9-4
22	Findlay	10-3
23	Pittsburg State	8-4
24	Virginia State	10-1
25	Ouachita Baptist	9-3