MANKATO, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State will open the home portion of its schedule on Saturday as it takes on the Augustana Vikings at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 465-385-28 (.545) in 878 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 104-13 (.888) 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 93-21 (.815) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Vikings: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 50th all-time meeting with the Mavericks leading the series 26-23. MSU has won its last eight encounters with AU dating back to the 2011 season. Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Vikings 38-36 in Sioux Falls.

Senior Ryan Schlichte completed 15 passes for 332 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, while senior Nate Gunn led the Maverick rushing attack with 131 yards and three touchdowns. Schlichte also added 30 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Senior Shane Zylstra led the receiving corps with seven catches for 134 yards and a touchdown, while senior Justin Arnold caught four passes for 82 yards. 

On defense, the Mavericks were led by senior Jack Curtis who tallied eight tackles. Senior Zach Robertson added six tackles also.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State opened its 2019 season with a 38-23 road victory over the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs last weekend.

As a team, MSU tallied 601 yards of total offense against the Mustangs, including 394 yards on the ground. In comparison, SMSU was limited to 346 yards, including four rushing yards. The Mavericks reached the scoring column in 5-of-6 trips to the red zone.

Senior Nate Gunn led the Maverick rushing attack with 242 rushing yards and three touchdown carries, marking the 20th time in his career that he has surpassed 100 rushing yards in a game. Junior JD Ekowa also tallied 67 rushing yards, while senior Ryan Schlichte added 59.

Ekowa threw for 108 yards as well, while Schlichte tallied 99 passing yards and a touchdown.

Senior Justin Arnold led the Maverick receivers with six catches for 82 yards. Senior Shane Zylstra caught three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown also.

Senior Destyn Woody led the Maverick defense with eight tackles, to go along with 1.5 sacks. Senior Zach Robertson notched a team-best 2.0 sacks vs. SMSU, while senior Parrish Marrow and junior Cole Schroedermeier each intercepted a pass.

Sophomore kicker Luke Williams went 2-for-2 in field goal attempts last weekend from 40 and 34 yards out, while sophomore Ashton Garner connected on a 27 yard field goal as well.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana opened its 2019 season with a 52-0 home victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks last week.

As a team, AU tallied 411 yards of total offense, including 294 yards through the air. The Vikings held UIU to 198 yards of offense, with just 33 coming on the ground.

Kyle Saddler threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Welsheimer led the Vikings with 64 receiving yards, while Brett Shepley, Devon Jones and Anthony Karmazyn each caught a touchdown pass.

Rudolh Sinflorant led the AU rushing attack with 62 yards. Saddler ran in a pair of touchdowns as well.

TJ Liggett led the Viking defense with 10 tackles. As a unit, AU tallied 12 tackles for a loss and three sacks. The Augie defense also came up with three turnovers, including an interception that Cody Kujawa returned 27 yards for a touchdown.