MANKATO, Minn. --- The No. 4 Minnesota State football team will conclude its regular season schedule on the road this Saturday as it squares off with the Upper Iowa Peacocks. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 474-385-28 (.550) in 887 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 113-13 (.896) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 23 conference championships, including 14 NIC titles and seven 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 102-21 (.829) record, including six NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Against the Peacocks: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Upper Iowa marks their 14th all-time meeting with MSU winning all 13 of the previous encounters. Last season, the Mavericks bested the Peacocks 47-7 at Blakeslee Stadium.
As a unit, Minnesota State tallied 460 yards of total offense against the Peacocks last season, including 268 rushing yards. UIU notched 168 yards of offense, with 88 coming through the air.
Senior Ryan Schlichte threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Seniors Justin Arnold and Shane Zylstra each caught a touchdown pass, with Arnold leading the receiving corps with 66 receiving yards.
Both senior Nate Gunn and junior Justin Taormina notched 92 rushing yards against the Peacocks. Taormina also ran in two touchdowns, while Gunn and junior JD Ekowa each tallied one rushing touchdown.
Senior Alex Goettl led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, while juniors Ty'Shonan Brooks and Cole Schroedermeier each recorded an interception. As a unit, the MSU defense notched 10 tackles for a loss.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 10-0 on the season after defeating Sioux Falls 42-39 on the road last weekend. During the last six weeks, the Mavericks have outscored their opponents 350-77.
As a team, MSU is averaging 46.4 points and 526.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 306.0 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 65.5 rushing yards a game.
Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 1,297 yards and 21 touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 499 yards and five touchdown carries.
Senior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,109 yards and 12 touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 764 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 54 catches for 1,093 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 31 catches for 408 yards and a touchdown also.
The Maverick defense has allowed just 11.6 points and 231.1 yards of offense per game this season. Opposing teams own a 27% conversion rate on third down this season and have reached the red zone just 13 times. As a unit, MSU has notched 37 sacks, while giving up nine.
Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 49 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 43 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, while junior Jack Leius has tallied 45 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and two interceptions.
Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the week the owner of a 2-8 record, including a 62-0 loss to Wayne State last weekend. UIU has lost its last two games.
As a team, Upper Iowa has averaged 17.2 points and 298.5 yards of offense a game this season. UIU has tallied 125.2 rushing yards a game and 173.3 passing yards a game.
Levon Bellemy leads the Peacock rushing attack with 471 yards and four touchdowns. Matt McDonald has tallied 449 rushing yards and three touchdowns also.
Zach Reader has thrown for 697 yards and six touchdowns this season. Alexander Stevens leads UIU receivers with 599 yards and eight touchdowns.
On defense, UIU's opponents have averaged 34.0 points and 390.1 yards of offense a game this season. Team's have managed 216.3 rushing yards a game against the Peacocks this season and have tallied 25 rushing touchdowns.
Michael Spakman leads the Upper Iowa defense with 51 tackles, while Erik Hansen has tallied a team-best 18.0 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks. Daniel Ruffin Jr. has tallied a team-best four interceptions as well.
NCAA Super Region Four Rankings: Minnesota State has been ranked second in the third 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, at 4:00 p.m. (CST).
