MANKATO, Minn. --- With its win over Texas A&M-Commerce last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium, the #4 Minnesota State football team will travel to #8 Slippery Rock Saturday for the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (CST).

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 477-385-28 (.551) in 890 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 114-13 (.897) 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 are making their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season. MSU owns a 13-11 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 105-21 (.833) record, including six NSIC Championships and seven trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Recently, he was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year. This marks the third time that he has received the award, with the first two instances coming during the 2014 and 2018 seasons.

All-Americans: Minnesota State seniors Alex Goettl, Nate Gunn and Shane Zylstra have all claimed All-American honors for their efforts this season.

Alex Goettl - CoSIDA Academic Second Team
Nate Gunn - AFCA First Team
Shane Zylstra - AFCA All-American Second Team, CoSIDA Academic First Team

Against the Rock: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Slippery Rock will be their first meeting.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 13-0 last weekend as it defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 42-21 at Blakeslee Stadium. This will be MSU's fourth trip to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament with the previous trips coming in 2012 vs. Valdosta State (L, 35-19), in 2014 vs. Concord (W, 47-13) and in 2018 vs. Ferris State (L, 42-25).

As a team, MSU is averaging 47.2 points and 518.5 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 299.2 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 68.2 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 1,557 yards and 26 touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 625 yards and six touchdown carries. 

Senior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,354 yards and 15 touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 1,170 yards and nine touchdowns.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 66 catches for 1,379 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 38 catches for 508 yards and two touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 12.7 points and 242.4 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 18 times. As a unit, MSU has notched 44 sacks, while giving up 13. 

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 66 tackles, including 12.5 for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 57 tackles and four interceptions, while junior Cade Johnson has tallied 52 tackles and four interceptions.

Concerning the Rock: Slippery Rock enters the weekend the owner of a 13-0 record, including a 65-59 win over Notre Dame (Ohio) last week in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This will be SRU's second appearance in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament with the first coming in 1998 where it fell to Carson Newman 47-21 on the road.

As a team, the Rock has tallied 48.6 points and 516.5 yards of total offense a game this season. SRU is averaging 176.5 rushing yards and 339.9 passing yards a game this season. SRU quarterbacks have thrown 52 touchdown passes this season.

Chalres Snorweah leads the SRU rushing attack with 791 yards and 11 touchdowns. Roland Rivers III has tallied 631 rushing yards and nine touchdown carries also.

Rivers III leads the SRU passing attack with 4,261 yards and 50 touchdown passes,  compared to six interceptions. 

Henry Litwin leads the SRU receiving corps with 92 catches for 1,360 yards and 19 touchdown catches. Jermaine Wynn Jr. has tallied 90 catches for 1,320 yards and 15 touchdowns also.

On defense, SRU opponents have averaged 24.7 points and 339.8 yards of total offense per game this season. SRU's opponents have averaged 112.8 rushing and 227.0 passing yards a game this season.

Brad Zaffram leads the SRU defense with 89 tackles, including 19.5 for a loss. Dalton Holt has tallied 72 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions as well, while Chad Kuhn has posted 53 tackles, including 16.0 for a loss and a team-leading 11.5 sacks.