MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team has been ranked fifth in the College Football America Yearbook (CFAY) Preseason Poll.

Last season, the Mavericks made their third appearance in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament as they finished with a 13-1 record. MSU also claimed its fourth NSIC championship in the last five seasons. Minnesota State is one of two teams ranked in the preseason poll. Minnesota Duluth was ranked 10th.

The 2019 College Football America Yearbook features more than 930 college football teams from the United States and Canada in more than 250 striking, full-color pages. That includes every team from the NCAA (FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III), NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA and U Sports (Canada). It also includes updates on club football, one-year postgraduate prep/sports academies and Mexican college football, along with dozens of action shots and stadium photos taken by the CFAY staff.  

Along with being ranked fifth in the preseason poll, senior wide receiver Shane Zylstra has been named to the CFAY Preseason Starting Lineup. Last season, Zylstra led the Maverick receiving corps with 66 catches for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns as he garnered All-American honors from the AFCA and CoSIDA.

Minnesota State opens its 2019 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 7, as it travels to Southwest Minnesota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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