MANKATO, Minn. --- The third-ranked Minnesota State football team will wrap up the northern portion of its NSIC schedule this Saturday as it travels to Grand Forks, N.D., to take on the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles at Alerus Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 471-385-28 (.548) in 884 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 110-13 (.894) 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 99-21 (.825) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Golden Eagles: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Crookston will be their sixth all-time meeting with the Mavericks winning all five of their previous encounters. MSU defeated UMC 56-19 during their last meeting at Blakeslee Stadium during the 2017 season.

Senior Ryan Schlichte and junior JD Ekowa each threw two touchdown passes. Senior Shane Zylstra led the Maverick receivers with five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Senior Justin Arnold and sophomore Nyles Williams each caught a touchdown pass as well.

Senior Nate Gunn tallied 102 rushing yards and a touchdown, while junior Justin Taormina added 92 rushing yards. Williams also posted a rushing touchdown as well.

Junior Ty'Shonan Brooks recorded five tackles, while senior Jack Curtis posted three tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 7-0 on the season after defeating the University of Mary 74-17 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium. The 74 points scored by the Mavericks passed the previous single-game record of 73 points set during week 11 of the 2013 season against Upper Iowa.

As a team, MSU is averaging 39.9 points and 508.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 299.0 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 53.9 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 923 yards and 10 touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 338 yards and three touchdown carries. 

Senior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 668 yards and nine touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 638 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 35 catches for 787 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 22 catches for 287 yards  and a touchdown also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 10.0 points and 229.3 yards of offense per game this season. Opposing teams own a 26% conversion rate on third down this season and have reached the red zone just nine times. As a unit, MSU has notched 26 sacks, while giving up six. 

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 38 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 28 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, while junior Jack Leius has tallied 32 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and two interceptions.

Concerning the Golden Eagles: Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend the owner of a 0-7 record, including a 45-24 loss at Upper Iowa last weekend. The Golden Eagle have lost their last 14 games dating back to week five of the 2018 season.

As a team, Minnesota Crookston is averaging 13.0 points and 279.3 yards of offense a game this season. The Golden Eagles are averaging 188.4 passing yards a game. UMC has not recorded a rushing touchdown this season.

Jalin Scott leads the UMC rushing attack with 277 yards, while Tristan Robbins has tallied 166 yards. Scott also leads the UMC passing attack with 752 passing yards and seven touchdown passes. 

Jonattan Mudd leads the UMC receiving corps with 31 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns. Nathan Coy has posted 349 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, Minnesota Crookston's opponents have averaged 37.1 points and 413.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 234.0 rushing yards a game. 

Austin Steele leads the defense with 47 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 3.0 sacks. Tysen White has recorded 47 tackles also, while Will Cross has posted 44 tackles, including 6.0 for a loss.