MANKATO, Minn. --- The #1 Minnesota State football team opens its 2018 season this Thursday as it hosts the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 451-384-28 (.538) in 863 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 91-13 (.875) 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 a 79-20 (.797) record, including four NSIC Championships and five trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014, 2015 and 2017.

Against the Mustangs: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks the 17th all-time meeting. The Mavericks have won all 16 of their previous meetings, including a 54-7 road victory last season.

As a team, MSU recorded 541 yards of total offense against the Mustangs, including 347 yards on the ground. In comparison, SMSU managed just 240 yards of offense, including 133 passing yards.

Sophomore Justin Taormina rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown, while junior Shane Zylstra caught four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Ryan Schlichte completed nine passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore JD Ekowa added 83 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Seniors Michael Palme and Keyshawn Davis led the Maverick defense with six tackles each, while senior Jayme LaPlante recorded one sack.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2017 season with a 13-1 record as it advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks defeated CSU-Pueblo (16-13 OT) and Midwestern State (63-21) before falling to Texas A&M-Commerce (31-21). 

As a team, MSU averaged 40.1 points and 466.0 yards of offense a game last season. The Mavericks averaged 288.3 rushing yards a game last season,while holding its opponents to just 70.8 rushing yards a game. MSU also threw for 177.7 yards per game and Mavericks quarterbacks also completed 34 touchdown passes. In comparison, the Minnesota State defense limited teams to just 15.4 points and 274.4 yards of total offense a game.

The Maverick run attack was anchored last season by junior Nate Gunn and sophomore Justin Taormina. Gunn set an MSU single-season record with 1,550 rushing yards, while Taormina added 1,140 yards of his own. Gunn also recorded 12 touchdown carries, with Taormina following right behind with 11. 

Minnesota also returns quarterbacks Ryan Schlichte and JD Ekowa. Schlichte finished his sophomore season with 1,910 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes, while Ekowa tallied 539 passing yards and nine touchdown passes as a freshman. Ekowa also recorded six rushing touchdowns.

Junior wide receiver Shane Zylstra returns after leading the Maverick receiving corps with 51 catches for 861 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 15 touchdown catches tied the MSU single-season record. Junior Justin Arnold returns after posting 21 catches for 242 yards and two touchdown catches.

On defense, the Mavericks will see the return of senior Michael Palme, who finished second on the team in tackles last season with 73. Palme also tallied six tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Junior linebacker Alex Goettl posted 55 tackles, while junior cornerback Jack Curtis notched a team-leading five interceptions. 

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State finished its 2017 season with a 2-9 record, which included losses in its last eight games of the season.

As a team, SMSU averaged 18.6 points and 355.8 yards of offense per game last season. The Mustangs did most of their damage through the air as they posted 234 passing yards a game. Opponents averaged 34.3 points and 426.6 yards of offense a game against them last season.

Quarterback Blake Gimbel returns after throwing for 734 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Max Simmons caught 38 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns as well. Simmons also finished second on the team in rushing yards with 436. 

On defense, SMSU will see its leading tackler from last season return in Alex Ney, who posted 120 tackles. Shane Ratkovich also returns after posting 71 tackles and two sacks. JD Jackson-Hanchett recorded a team-best four interceptions as well. 

Football Luncheon: The Minnesota State football luncheons will begin this Wednesday at 11:45 a.m., at the Loose Moose. The luncheons, which will be held the day before each home game this season, will feature a coach's presentation, Q&A with Maverick student-athlete and video. The luncheons are open to the public.