MANKATO, Minn. --- With its 58-15 win over Slippery Rock, the #4 Minnesota State football team has advanced to the NCAA Championship game this Saturday where it will square off with #20 West Florida in McKinney, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (CST). 

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 478-385-28 (.552) in 891 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 14-11 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 106-21 (.834) 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 Argonauts: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and West Florida will be their first meeting.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 14-0 last weekend as it bested Slippery Rock 58-15 in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks will now advance to the NCAA Championship game for the second time in program history. MSU reached the NCAA Championship game back in 2014 where it fell to CSU-Pueblo 13-0.

As a team, MSU is averaging 48.0 points and 514.6 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 293.1 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 71.3 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 1,611 yards and 29 touchdowns, while freshman Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 704 yards and seven touchdown carries. 

Senior Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,532 yards and 16 touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has thrown for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with 70 catches for 1,513 yards and 17 touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied 40 catches for 520 yards and two touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 12.9 points and 247.2 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 21 times. As a unit, MSU has notched 47 sacks, while giving up 14. 

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 73 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 58 tackles and five interceptions, while junior Cade Johnson has tallied 58 tackles and four interceptions. Junior Brayden Thomas has notched 55 tackles, including a team-leading 19.5 for a loss and 11.0 sacks.

Concerning the Argonauts: West Florida enters the weekend the owner of a 12-2 record, including four consecutive playoff victories on the road. Last weekend, USF bested #2 Ferris State 28-14. This will be the Argonauts second trip to the NCAA Championship game, with the first coming in 2017 where they lost to Texas A&M-Commerce 37-27.

As a team, UWF has averaged 35.7 points and 401.3 yards of total offense a game this season. The Argonauts are averaging 137.7 rushing yards and 263.5 passing yards a game this season.

Anthony Johnson leads the UWF rushing attack with 633 yards and eight touchdowns. Jervon Newton has tallied 501 rushing yards and four touchdown carries also.

Austin Reed has thrown for 3,561 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, compared to 10 interceptions.

Tate Lehito leads the UWF receiving corps with 82 catches for 981 yards and five touchdowns. Quentin Randolph has caught 48 passes for 915 yards and nine touchdowns as well.

On defense, UWF opponents have averaged 18.2 points and 340.6 yards of total offense per game this season. The Argonauts have allowed 168.6 rushing and 171.9 passing yards a game.

Chanler Ferguson leads the UWF defense with 88 tackles, while Trent Archie has tallied 85 tackles, inclduing 10.0 for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Kedrick Bradley has notched 77 tackles also.