MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State returns home for a pair of games at Blakeslee Stadium beginning with #22 Augustana on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 483-388-28 (.552) in 899 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 119-15 (.888) 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 111-24 (.822) 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 111 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. Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 51st meeting with MSU leading the all-time series 27-23. The Mavericks own an 18-7 record against the Vikings home and have won their last eight meeting against AU at Blakeslee Stadium dating back to 2004. Minnesota State has won its last nine encounters with Augustana, including a 27-7 win at home during the 2019 season.

Senior JD Ekowa threw for 72 yards a touchdown, to go along with 45 rushing yards. Junior Jalen Sample caught two passes for 31 yards also.

Senior Jack Leius tallied a team-high seven tackles, to go along with one interception. Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks recorded four tackles also.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 5-2 record on the season after recording a 58-0 shutout against Upper Iowa last weekend.

As a team, MSU has tallied 3,336 yards of offense, including 1,685 passing yards and 1,651 rushing yards, while scoring 303 points. The Mavericks are also 9-for-17 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 394 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman Charles Coleman has tallied 332 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior JD Ekowa has seven rushing touchdowns as well.

Ekowa has thrown for 938 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while freshman Hayden Ekern has tallied 696 yards and seven touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 33 catches for 565 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams has tallied 18 catches for 294 yards and two touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 20.4  points and 300.3 yards of total offense a game this season, including 179.0 passing yards and 121.3 rushing yards.

Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied a team-leading 26 tackles, to go along with 5.0 for a loss as well. Seniors Eli Thomas has recorded 26 tackles also, while senior Jack Leius has posted 20 tackles. Junior Bedale Naba has notched 21 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss and 5.0 sacks. Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks has recorded a team-best three interceptions also.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 6-1 record, including a 32-24 win over Wayne State last weekend on the road. 

As a team, AU is averaging 40.3 points and 478.3 yards of offense a game this season. The Vikings are averaging 193.9 rushing yards a game and 284.4 passing yards a game.

Jarod Epperson leads the AU rushing attack with 767 yards and five touchdowns. David Addo has tallied 209 yards and three touchdowns

Kyle Saddler leads the Augie passing attack with 1,983 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. Sean Engel has caught a team-best 38 passes for 656 yards and 10 touchdowns. Devin Jones has tallied 329 receiving yards and six touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the Augustana defense has allowed 19.0 points and 324.9 yards of total offense a game this season. Teams are averaging 35.9 rushing yards and 289.0 passing yards a game this season against the Vikings.

TJ Liggett leads AU with 51 tackles, while Eli Weber has tallied 40 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Peyton Buckley has tallied 34 tackles and four interceptions also.