MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 1 Minnesota State will continue its season on the road this weekend as it takes on the Winona State Warriors in Winona, Minn. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 92nd season playing football. The Mavericks are 454-384-28 (.540) in 866 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 92-13 (.876) 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 an 82-20 (.803) record, including four NSIC Championships and five trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Against the Warriors: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State will be the 57th meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 34-18-4. MSU defeated WSU 27-6 last season at Blakeslee Stadium and owns an 18-10 record in Winona.

In 2017, MSU tallied 319 yards of offense, including 205 passing, while Winona State was held to 233 yards of offense, with 216 coming through the air. The Maverick defense allowed a pair of field goals, while the MSU offense reached the endzone twice.

Sophomore Justin Taormina rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Warriors, while junior Shane Zylstra caught three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. Senior Casey Bednarski went 2-of-2 in field goal attempts as he connected from 31 and 27 yards out.

On defense, senior Michael Palme recorded four tackles, while junior Jack Curtis posted two interceptions. Junior Alex Goettl also recorded four tackles and an interception. In total, the Maverick defense forced four turnovers.

Javina Roebuck led the WSU rushing attack with 28 rushing yards, while Isaiah Frandsen led the Warrior receiving corps with five catches and 55 receiving yards. Cole Monckton tallied six tackles and one interception.

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State moved to 3-0 on the season as it defeated Concordia-St. Paul 46-13 at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks have now won their last 16 NSIC contests dating back to week 10 of the 2016 season.

The Mavericks did all of their damage in the first 30 minutes of the game as they tallied 46 points and 409 yards of offense before heading into halftime. MSU would finish the game with 541 yards of offense, including 344 rushing yards, while holding CSP to 216 yards of total offense. 

Sophomore Justin Taormina finished his game with 158 rushing yards and a touchdown. This marked the sixth time in his career he has rushed for more than 100 yards in a game.

Sophomore JD Ekowa threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Shane Zylstra led the Maverick receiving corps with three catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, while freshman Jalen Sample caught a 27-yard touchdown pass as well.

Junior Zach Robertson led the Maverick defense with seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. Junior Jack Curtis blocked an extra point attempt and sophomore Chance Bowen blocked a punt as well.

Last Week for the Warriors: Winona State fell to 2-1 last weekend as it lost to Upper Iowa 34-33 in Fayette, Iowa. WSU held a 27-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Peacocks were able to rally in the fourth as they scored 20 points to defeat the Warriors.

As a team, WSU recorded 390 yards of total offense against the Peacocks, including 282 passing yards. UIU tallied 401 yards of offense, including 291 passing yards.

Owen Burke completed 19 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns, compared to one interception. Isaiah Frandsen caught four passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns, while Jake Balliu caught six passes for 99 yards. 

Sam Santiago-Lloyd led the Warrior rushing attack with 79 yards and a touchdown.

Three Warriors, including Isaiah Hall, David Smith and Carter Duxbury, recorded 10 tackles against the Peacocks. Smith also recovered a fumble, while Romario Gayle intercepted a pass.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 3-0 last weekend with its 46-13 win over Concordia-St. Paul at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a unit, Minnesota State is averaging 44.3 points and 543 yards of offense per game this season. The offense has featured a balanced attack with MSU averaging 279.3 rushing yards and 263.7 passing yards a game. MSU's opponents have averaged 20.7 points and 357.3 yards per game.

Junior Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 304 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore Justin Taormina has notched 190 rushing yards and a touchdown, while sophomore JD Ekowa has added 160 yards and a touchdown as well.

Junior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 597 yards and three touchdowns this season. He is averaging 199 passing yards a game and has completed 65.3% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps is led by the duo of juniors Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra has tallied 269 receiving yards and three touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 11 passes for 182 yards.

Junior Zach Robertson leads the MSU defense with 19 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for a loss. Sophomore Cole Schroedermeier has notched 15 tackles on the season, while junior Alex Goettl has tallied 15 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. 

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State own a 2-1 record in the season, including a 34-33 loss to Upper Iowa last weekend on the road. 

As a team, WSU is averaging 30 points and 398 yards of offense per game this season. Winona State has done most if its damage through the air as eight of their 10 offensive touchdowns have via passes. The WSU passing attack is averaging 244.3 yards a game. Opponents are posting 25.6 points and 390.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 258.3 passing yards.

Sam Santiago-Lloyd is lead the Warrior rushing attack with 189 yards and a touchdown, with Javian Roebuck following right behind with 180 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Owen Burke has thrown for 733 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He has completed 55.5% of his passes and has thrown three interceptions.

Four Warrior receivers have caught two touchdown passes this season including Jake Balliu, Isaiah Frandsen, Tanner Gran and Greg Rooney. Balliu leads the team with 191 receiving yards, with Frandsen following right behind with 182.  

Isaiah Hall leads the WSU defense with 21 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss. Romario Gayle has tallied 16 tackles and two interceptions, while Michael Ferrante has notched 13 tackles including 4.0 for a loss.