MANKATO, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State begins its 2019 season Saturday as it travels to Southwest Minnesota State, Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2018 season marks the school's 93rd season playing football. The Mavericks are 464-385-28 (.545) in 877 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 99-13 (.883) 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 nine seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled an 92-21 (.814) record, including five NSIC Championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Against the Mustangs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 18th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks winning all 17 of their prior encounters. The Mavericks own a 7-0 record in games played in Marshall. Last season, MSU defeated the Mustangs 49-13 at Blakeslee Stadium.

Senior Ryan Schlichte completed 11 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Junior JD Ekowa also threw a touchdown pass while rushing for 91 yards and a touchdown.  Nine Mavericks caught at least one pass against the Mustangs last season, including senior Justin Arnold, who led the team with four catches for 75 yards. Senior Shane Zylstra and junior Parker Gloudemans each caught a touchdown pass as well.  

Senior Nate Gunn led the Maverick rushing attack with 119 yards and two touchdown carries.

The Minnesota State defense limited SMSU to 335 yards and 13 points last season, including 45 yards on the ground. As a unit, the Mavericks tallied nine tackles for a loss and four sacks.

Junior Cole Schroedermeier led the Maverick defense with 10 tackles, while junior Cade Johnson tallied eight. Senior Alex Goettl, junior Chance Bowen, junior Jake Schaper and sophomore Bedale Naba each recorded a sack.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2018 season with a 13-1 record as it advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. MSU currently owns a 24-game NSIC winning streak dating back to week 10 of the 2016 season.

As a team, MSU averaged 39.6 points and 461.0 yards of total offense last season, while limiting its opponents to 17.0 points and 300.0 yards of offense. The Mavericks did most of their damage on the ground as they averaged 238.9 rushing yards a game, while allowing 99.5 rushing yards.

Senior Nate Gunn led the MSU rushing attack with 1,705 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. His 1,705 rushing yards and 22 touchdown carries both set single-season team records. Junior Justin Taormina notched 469 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while junior JD Ekowa has added 380 yards and five touchdowns.

Senior Ryan Schlichte threw for 1,914 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He averaged 136.7 passing yards a game and completed 54.5% of his passes.

The Maverick receiving corps was led by a duo of seniors, Shane Zylstra and Justin Arnold. Zylstra tallied 1,216 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches, while Arnold has caught 47 passes for 766 yards and five touchdowns.

Senior Alex Goettl led the MSU defense with 87 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Junior Chance Bowen tallied 29 tackles, including 12.0 for a loss and 11.0 sacks as well. Senior Zach Robertson notched 74 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State finished its 2018 season with a 4-7 record, including losses in its final three games.

As a team, SMSU averaged 25.5 points and 389.9 yards of total offense a game, while its opponents averaged 26.5 points and 383.5 yards per game. The Mustangs tallied 3,418 passing yards, compared to 871 rushing yards.

Max Simmons returns after leading the SMSU offense with 543 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Boyer Bouman completed eight passes last season for 32 yards and a touchdown as well.

Daniel Davis also returns for the Mustangs after leading the receiving corps with 1,113 yards and nine touchdown catches. Aaron tallied 356 receiving yards and four touchdown catches as well.

Cory Hollowell finished third on the team in tackles last season with 64, while Lucas Fisher tallied 53 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Onte Burns notched 48 tackles and recovered a pair of fumbles as well.