MANKATO, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Saturday as it takes on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., at  Sea Foam Stadium.

Our History: The 2019 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 466-385-28 (.546) in 879 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 105-13 (.889) 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 94-21 (.817) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Golden Bears: Saturday's encounter between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 14th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 11-2.  MSU has won its last eight meeting against the Golden Bears, including a 46-13 win last season at Blakeslee Stadium.

Junior JD Ekowa completed seven passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Justin Taormina tallied 158 rushing yards and a touchdown. Senior Shane Zylstra led the Maverick receiving corps with three catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Jalen Sample caught a touchdown pass as well.

On defense, the Mavericks tallied five sacks and allowed just 216 yards of total offense. Senior Zach Robertson notched a team-best seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. Senior Jordan Bergren and junior Jake Schaper each recorded a sack as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 2-0 last weekend as it bested the Augustana Vikings 27-7 at Blakeslee Stadium. 

As a team, MSU is averaging 32.5 points and 550.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 364 rushing yards a game, while allowing just 42.5 rushing yards a game.

Senior Nate Gunn leads the Maverick rushing attack with 380 yards and four touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has tallied 112 rushing yards.

Ekowa has thrown for 180 yards and a touchdown this season, while senior Ryan Schlichte has tallied 192 passing yards and two touchdown passes.

Senior Shane Zylstra is pacing the Maverick receiving corps with nine catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Justin Arnold has tallied seven catches for 99 yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed just 15.0 points and 338 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 three times. As a unit, MSU has notched eight sacks, while giving up just one,

Senior Zach Robertson is leading the MSU defense with 13 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss and 2.0 sacks. Junior Cole Schroedermeier has tallied 10 tackles and a pair of interceptions as well, while  junior Jack Leius has tallied 11 tackles and an interception as well.

Sophomore kicker Luke Williams is 4-for-4 in field goal attempts including a pair of 36 yard field goals last weekend against Augustana.

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 record after besting Upper Iowa 28-23 last weekend in Fayette.

As a unit, CSP is averaging 34.5 points and 354.5 yards of total offense a game this season. The Golden Bears are doing most of their damage on the ground, averaging 228 rushing yards a game.

Five different Golden Bears have recorded at least one rushing touchdown this season, including Lajuan Preston who has posted 152 yards and two touchdowns. Maxon Hutton has posted 129 rushing yards and a touchdown as well.

Hutton has also thrown for 253 yards and two touchdowns this season. Jabril Clewis has caught five passes for 78 yards, while MJ Williams has caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, the Golden Bears have given up an average of 20.0 points and 366.5 yards of offense a game this season. CSP's opponents have throw four touchdown passes this season and have averaged 228 passing yards a game.

Jake Portz leads the Golden Bear defense with 25 tackles, while Chris Garrett has notched 11 tackles, including three for a loss and three sacks. Dalton Smerchek has recorded 12 tackles and one fumble recovery also.