MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State continues its NSIC south division schedule on the road this Saturday as it takes on the Upper Iowa Peacocks. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 482-388-28 (.552) in 898 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922. Minnesota State is in its 13th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 118-15 (.887) 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 made their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2019. MSU owns a 14-12 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

Grabbing the Reins: The 2021 season marks the 12th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 12 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 110-24 (.820) record, including six NSIC Championships and seven trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Hoffner was named the AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year in 2019, marking the third time that he has received the award, with the first two instances coming during the 2014 and 2018 seasons. He was later named the AFCA Division II National Coach of the Year as the Mavericks advanced to their second NCAA Championship game in five seasons.

Hoffner's 110 coaching victories at Minnesota State are the most in program history. Hoffner passed Dan Runkle's record of 108 career coaching victories after MSU's 68-10 win over Minot State on Sept. 25, 2021.

Series vs. Upper Iowa: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Upper Iowa marks their 15th meeting with MSU leading the all-time series 14-0. The Mavericks own a 7-0 road record against the Peacocks, including a 73-21 win in their most recent meeting during the 2019 season.

Senior JD Ekowa threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns against he Peacocks, while senior Parker Gloudemans caught four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Junior Jalen Sample also caught a touchdown pass, while sophomore Kaleb Sleezer led the Maverick rushing attack with 87 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks and junior Bedale Naba each recorded three tackles, while sophomore Greg Kohler recorded an interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 4-2 record on the season after suffering a 35-24 loss to Wayne State at home last weekend.

As a team, MSU has tallied 2,815 yards of offense, including 1,317 passing yards and 1,498 rushing yards, while scoring 245 points. The Mavericks are also 9-for-17 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 355 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman Charles Coleman has tallied 299 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior JD Ekowa has six rushing touchdowns as well.

Ekowa has thrown for 652 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Ekern has tallied 614 yards and seven touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 30 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams has tallied 14 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.8  points and 301.5 yards of total offense a game this season, including 187.0 passing yards and 114.5 rushing yards.

Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied a team-leading 21 tackles, to go along with 4.0 for a loss as well. Seniors Eli Thomas and Jack Leius have each posted 19 tackles, while junior Bedale Naba has notched 18 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks has recorded a team-best two interceptions also.

Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the weekend the owner of a 0-6 record, which includes a 37-20 road loss to Augustana in its most recent outing.

As a team, Upper Iowa is averaging 17.3 points and 334.8 yards of total offense a game this season. UIU is averaging 102.0 rushing yards and 232.83 passing yards a game this season.

Willy Camacho leads the Peacock rushing attack with 416 yards. Keontae Luckett has posted 273 yards and four touchdown carries also.

Marcus Orr leads with 778 passing yards and six touchdowns, while Zach Reader has tallied 338 passing yards and three touchdowns. Alexander Stevens leads the UIU receiving corps with 32 catches for 372 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Saldana has caught 20 passes for 364 yards and seven touchdowns also.

As a unit, the Upper Iowa defense has allowed 32.5 points and 411.8 yards of total offense a game this season. Opponents are averaging 71.7 rushing yards and 340.1 passing yards a game this season against the Peacocks.

Brody Bazile is leading the UIU defense with 40 tackles, while Erik Hansen has notched 32 tackles, including 15.5 for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Kyle Domin has tallied 25 tackles, including 6.0 for a loss, while Terrell Powell has recorded a team-best two interceptions.