MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State concludes its home schedule this Saturday as it plays host to the Sioux Falls Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 483-389-28 (.552) in 900 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 119-16 (.881) 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 111-25 (.816) 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. Sioux Falls: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 11th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 8-2. The Mavericks own a 3-2 record against he Cougars at home and have won their last three encounters, including a 42-39 win on the road in their most recent outing back in 2019.

Senior Jack Leius tallied a team-high seven tackles, while sophomore Nic Dahlke notched four tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 5-3 record on the season after  suffering a 45-35 loss to Augustana last weekend at home.

As a team, MSU has tallied 3,748 yards of offense, including 2,054 passing yards and 1,694 rushing yards, while scoring 338 points. The Mavericks are also 11-for-20 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 422 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman Charles Coleman has tallied 334 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior JD Ekowa has seven rushing touchdowns as well.

Ekowa has thrown for 1,307 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, while freshman Hayden Ekern has tallied 696 yards and seven touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 38 catches for 682 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams has tallied 22 catches for 374 yards and four touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.5  points and 333.6 yards of total offense a game this season, including 211.3 passing yards and 122.3 rushing yards.

Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied a team-leading 34 tackles, to go along with 5.5 for a loss as well. Seniors Eli Thomas has recorded 32 tackles also, while senior Jack Leius has posted 25 tackles. Junior Bedale Naba has notched 25 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 5.0 sacks. Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks has recorded a team-best four interceptions also.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 5-3 record, including a 14-10 loss to Winona State last weekend at home.

As a team, USF is averaging 29.0 points and 405.3 yards of offense a game this season. The Cougars are averaging 193.1 rushing yards a game and 212.1 passing yards a game.

Thuro Reisdorfer leads the USF rushing attack with 741 yards and seven touchdowns. Landon Freeman has tallied 406 yards and four touchdowns.

Adam Mullen leads the USF passing attack with 1,648 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. Pegley has caught a team-best 43 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns. Ty Smith has tallied 361 receiving yards and a touchdown catch also.

As a unit, the Sioux Falls defense has allowed 18.7 points and 349.1 yards of total offense a game this season. Teams are averaging 102.1 rushing yards and 247.0 passing yards a game this season against the Cougars.

Cody Jantzen leads the Cougar defense with 41 tackles, while Dorian Fedrick has tallied 35 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss. Joey Wehrkamp has notched 25 tackles, including 11.0 of a loss and 6.0 sacks. Carter Lohr has recorded 24 tackles and three interceptions also.