MANKATO, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State will wrap up its regular season home schedule this Saturday as it hosts the Wayne State Wildcats at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 472-385-28 (.549) in 885 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 111-13 (.895) 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 100-21 (.826) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Wildcats: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 12th meeting, with MSU winning all 11 of their previous games. Last season, the Mavericks bested Wayne State 55-2 on the road. Should Minnesota State defeat Wayne State it will secure at least a share on the NSIC Championship.

As a unit, the Mavericks tallied 485 yards of total offense against the Wildcats last season, including 256 passing yards. WSC was limited to just 189 yards of offense, including 165 passing yards.

Senior Nate Gunn Tallied 79 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while junior Justin Taormina added 28 rushing yards and a touchdown. Senior Ryan Schlichte and junior JD Ekowa both threw for more than 100 yards as well.

Four different Mavericks caught a touchdown pass against the Wildcats last season, including senior Shane Zylstra, who led the receiving corps with 113 yards and a touchdown. Senior Tyler Schmidt and junior Parker Gloudemans each caught a touchdown pass also.

Seniors Zach Robertson and Alex Goettl each recorded four tackles on defense, while sophomore Bedale Naba tallied three tackles for a loss and a sack. Junior Cole Schroedermeier recorded two interceptions, while senior Jack Curtis notched one.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 8-0 on the season after defeating Minnesota Crookston 81-0 last weekend in Grand Forks, N.D. The 81 points scored passed the previous team record of 74 points scored against the University of Mary the week prior.

As a team, MSU is averaging 45.0 points and 527.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 309.9 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 57.4 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 995 yards and 13 touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 473 yards and four touchdown carries. 

Senior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 790 yards and 10 touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 709 yards and five touchdowns.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 42 catches for 915 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 25 catches for 314 yards  and a touchdown also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 8.8 points and 215.8 yards of offense per game this season. Opposing teams own a 25% conversion rate on third down this season and have reached the red zone just nine times. As a unit, MSU has notched 35 sacks, while giving up six. 

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 41 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 35 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, while junior Jack Leius has tallied 37 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and two interceptions.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 3-5 record, including a 26-23 road win at the University of Mary last weekend. 

As a team, Wayne State has averaged 20.2 points and 355.0 yards of total offense a game this season. WSC has averaged 178.9 rushing and 176.1 passing yards a game this season.

Devin Merkuris leads the WSC rushing attack with 411 yards and two touchdowns. Travian Willis has added 211 yards and a touchdown also.

Andy McCance has thrown for 949 yards and six touchdowns this season, while Willis has added 352 passing yards and two touchdowns. Mason Lee and Taurean Grady have each caught three touchdown passes also.

On defense, Wayne State's opponents have averaged 23.0 points and 360.8 yards of offense a game this season. Teams have averaged 222.1 passing yards a game and have completed 14 touchdown passes.

Nicholas Joynt leads the WSC defense with 66 tackles, while Jacob Protzman has posted a team-best 13.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. MJ Blankenfeld has tallied 35 tackles as well, including 10.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks also.

NCAA Super Region Four Rankings: Minnesota State has been ranked second in the first edition of the NCAA Super Region Four Rankings. The top seven teams in the super region will advance to the NCAA Tournament, with the #1 seed receiving a first-round bye. The NCAA Selection Show will be streamed on NCAA.com on Nov. 17.