MANKATO, Minn. --- No. 3 Minnesota State will play host to No. 12 Minnesota Duluth Saturday during its annual Homecoming weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 468-385-28 (.547) in 880 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 107-13 (.891) 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. 

DII Football Showcase: The game between the Mavericks and Bulldogs will be featured during the DII Football Showcase. Along with being streamed through its normal service, the game between also be streamed on the Division II Facebook (facebook.com/ncaadivisionii) and on Twitter (@NCAADII).

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 96-21 (.820) 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 meeting between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth will be their 39th encounter with UMD leading the series with a 20-17-1 record. The Mavericks have won their last four games with the Bulldogs, including a 38-23 win in Duluth during the 2017 season. 

In total, the Mavericks tallied 497 yards of offense against the Bulldogs, including 244 rushing yards and 253 passing yards. The Mavericks also converted on 7-of-14 attempts on third down. UMD posted 384 yards of total offense, with 325 coming through the air.

Seniors Nate Gunn and Shane Zylstra led the Maverick offense against the Bulldogs during their last encounter. Gunn rushed for a then career-high 229 yards and a touchdown, while Zylstra posted a career-high 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Ryan Schlichte completed 8-of-19 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, while junior JD Ekowa completed four passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Senior Tyler Schmidt also caught a touchdown pass.

Senior Jack Curtis notched nine tackles and broke up a pass, while senior Alex Goettl tallied four tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 4-0 last weekend as it bested the Winona State Warriors 20-6 at Blakeslee Stadium. 
As a team, MSU is averaging 28.5 points and 453.8 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 275.0 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 44.8 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 590 yards and six touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has tallied 157 rushing yards. Gunn is currenty tied with Connor Thomas for the career rushing touchdowns record at Minnesota State with 40. He is also just five rushing yards behind Thomas' career record of 3,850 rushing yards.

Ekowa has thrown for 387 yards and two touchdowns this season, while senior Ryan Schlichte has tallied 272 passing yards and two touchdown passes.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 17 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 13 catches for 199 yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 9.8 points and 249.2 yards of offense per game this season. Opposing teams own a 33% conversion rate on third down this season and have reached the red zone just six times. As a unit, MSU has notched 15 sacks, while giving up four.

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 27 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss and 3.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 19 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions as well, while junior Jack Leius has tallied 25 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and two interceptions.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth improved to 4-0 last weekend as it defeated Bemidji State 42-7 on the road. 

As a team, UMD is averaging 40.5 points and 441.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Bulldogs are posting 208.0 rushing yards and a 233.0 passing yards a game this season.

John Larson has posted a team-leading 259 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Wade Sullivan has tallied 242 yards and three touchdowns. Cazz Martin has tallied four touchdown carries as well.

Larson has also completed 58-of-108 passes for 869 yards and nine touchdowns. Quincy Woods leads the Bulldog receivers with 13 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Zach Ojile has caught two touchdown passes also.

On defense, UMD's opponents are averaging 12.0 points and 241.5 yards of offense a game. Team's have averaged 85.5 rushing yards a game against the Bulldogs this season. Minnesota Duluth is also +7 in turnover margin.

Austin Kurylo leads the UMD defense with 21 tackles, while Nate Pearson has tallied a team-best 6.0 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Berry Moreland has intercepted two passes as well.

Homecoming: Minnesota State's game vs. Minnesota Duluth will take place during Homecoming. The Mavericks own a 51-33-2 all-time record during Homecoming, including wins in their last eight outings. MSU has faced the Bulldogs once during their Homecoming festivities. In 2005, the Bulldogs defeated the Mavericks 28-23.