MANKATO, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State continues its NSIC north division schedule this Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium as it takes on the University of Mary during Tackle Cancer Day/Youth Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. 

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 470-385-28 (.548) in 883 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 109-13 (.893) 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 made their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. MSU owns an 11-11 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

Grabbing the Reins: The 2019 season marks the 10th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 10 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 98-21 (.823) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Marauders: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and the University of Mary will be the sixth between them, with the Mavericks winning all five of their previous encounters. MSU defeated U-Mary 35-7 in their last meeting during the 2017 season. 

As a team, MSU recorded 420 yards of total offense against the Marauders, including 273 rushing yards. In comparison, U-Mary was held to just 286 yards of offense, with 90 yards coming through the air.

Senior Nate Gunn led the Maverick rushing attack with 165 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Justin Taormina added 73 yards and two touchdowns. Junior JD Ekowa also recorded 55 passing yards and one touchdown pass.

Junior Cade Johnson led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, while senior Alex Goettl posted six. As a unit, the Maverick defense notched 12 tackles for a loss.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 6-0 on the season after besting Northern State 39-7 on the road last weekend.

As a team, MSU is averaging 34.2 points and 480.5 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 272.2 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 56.2 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 805 yards and nine touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 271 yards and two touchdown carries. 

Junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 636 yards and four touchdowns this season, while senior Ryan Schlichte has tallied 524 passing yards and seven touchdown passes.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 32 catches for 696 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 18 catches for 245 yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 8.8 points and 229.8 yards of offense per game this season. Opposing teams own a 28% conversion rate on third down this season and have reached the red zone just seven times. As a unit, MSU has notched 21 sacks, while giving up six. MSU's 8.8 points allowed per game leads ranks first in NCAA Division II.

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 36 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 23 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, while junior Jack Leius has tallied 30 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and two interceptions.

Concerning the Marauders: The University of Mary enters the weekend the owner of a 1-5 record, including a 27-21 win over Upper Iowa at home last weekend.

As a team, the University of Mary is averaging 17.8 points and 325.5 yards of total offense a game this season. The Marauders are posting 198.7 passing yards a game this season.

Bryan Lumsden has posted 273 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season. Logan Nelson has tallied 260 rushing yards and five touchdown carries as well.

Nelson has also thrown for 733 yards and five touchdowns. Danny Kittner leads the Marauder receivers with 26 catches for 449 yards and two touchdowns. Leonardo Vecchi has caught two touchdown passes also.

On defense, U-Mary's opponents have averaged 38.0 points and 421.3 yards of total offense a game this season. Opponents have also converted 47.3% of their third down attempts this season.

Paul Guptill leads the Marauder defense with 47 tackles and 7.0 tackles for a loss. Richard Bendish has tallied 40 tackles as well.