MANKATO, Minn. --- The third-ranked Minnesota State football team will continue its NSIC north division schedule on the road this Saturday as it travels to Aberdeen, S.D., to take on the Northern State Wolves. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. 

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 469-385-28 (.547) in 882 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 108-13 (.892) 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 97-21 (.822) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Wolves: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and Northern State will be their 10th encounter, with MSU owning a 9-1 series edge. The Mavericks shutout the Wolves 36-0 during their previous meeting at Blakeslee Stadium during the 2017 season.

As a team, MSU tallied 412 yards of total offense against NSU, including 254 rushing yards. The Wolves were limited to 216 yards of offense, including 133 through the air. The Mavericks reached the end zone during all four of their trips to the red zone.

Senior Nate Gunn led the Maverick rushing attack with 123 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Ryan Schlichte completed 13-of-15 passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Shane Zylstra caught a seven yard touchdown pass as well.

Senior Alex Goettl tallied four tackles, while senior Zach Robertson notched three. Junior Ty'Shonan Brooks posted one tackle for a loss as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 5-0 last weekend as it dispatched Minnesota Duluth by the score of 52-7 during its annual Homecoming game.

As a team, MSU is averaging 33.2 points and 477.6 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 277.4 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 52.0 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 736 yards and seven touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 186 yards and two touchdown carries. Gunn recently set MSU career records in rushing touchdowns (41) and rushing yards (3,991). 

Junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 475 yards and three touchdowns this season, while senior Ryan Schlichte has tallied 470 passing yards and five touchdown passes.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 25 catches for 533 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 16 catches for 234 yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 9.2 points and 250.6 yards of offense per game this season. Opposing teams own a 30% conversion rate on third down this season and have reached the red zone just seven times. As a unit, MSU has notched 19 sacks, while giving up five.

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 34 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 22 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, while junior Jack Leius has tallied 29 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and two interceptions.

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State improved to 3-2 last weekend as it bested Upper Iowa 24-22 on the road. NSU has now won three of its last four games, all by four points or less.

As a team, Northern State is averaging 16.4 points and 354.2 yards of offense a game this season. NSU is averaging 198.8 passing yards a game, while eight of its touchdown have come on the ground.

Isaiah Cherrier leads the NSU rushing attack with 403 yards and three touchdowns. Hunter Trautman has tallied three rushing touchdowns as well.

Trautman has also thrown for 980 yards and three touchdowns this season. Dakota Larson is lead the Wolve receivers with 308 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, NSU's opponents are averaging 21.2 points and 300.8 yards of offense a game this season. Opponents have posted an average of 182.8 passing yards and a game and have completed a total of nine touchdown passes.

Preston Droessler has notched a team-leading 26 tackles, while Landon Hoellein has tallied 15 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. Six NSU players have recorded an interception as well.