MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team concludes its 2021 season this Saturday as it travels to Winona State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 484-390-28 (.552) in 902 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 120-17 (.875) 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 112-26 (.811) 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 112 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. Winona State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 60th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 37-18-4. The Mavericks have won their last three meetings against the Warriors, including a 20-6 win at home back in 2019. MSU owns a 20-9-2 road record against Winona State, which includes a 31-21 win at WSU back in 2018.

In their most recent outing back in 2019, senior JD Ekowa completed eight passes for 119 yards. Senior Jack Leius notched seven tackles, including two for a loss and a sack, to go along with one interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 6-4 record on the season after posting a 52-0 shutout victory against Southwest Minnesota State.

As a team, MSU has tallied 4,772 yards of offense, including 2,659 passing yards and 2,113 rushing yards, while scoring 425 points. The Mavericks are also 18-for-28 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 491 yards and five touchdowns, while freshman Charles Coleman has tallied 394 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Senior JD Ekowa has eight rushing touchdowns as well.

Ekowa has thrown for 1,710 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, while freshman Hayden Ekern has tallied 877 yards and nine touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 56 catches for 990 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams has tallied 29 catches for 454 yards and seven touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.3  points and 363.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 219.7 passing yards and 144.1 rushing yards.

Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied a team-leading 44 tackles, to go along with 5.5 for a loss as well. Senior Eli Thomas has recorded 38 tackles also, while senior Jack Leius has posted 30 tackles. Junior Bedale Naba has notched 26 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 5.0 sacks. Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks has recorded a team-best five interceptions also.

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-4 record, including a 40-12 win last weekend at home against Upper Iowa.

As a team, WSU is averaging 31.5 points and 370.3 yards of offense a game this season. The Warriors are averaging 117.7 rushing yards a game and 252.6 passing yards a game.

Dominik London leads the WSU rushing attack with 489 yards and four touchdowns. Javian Roebuck has tallied 345 yards and seven touchdown carries also.

Owen Burke has thrown for 2,484 and 18 touchdowns this season. Ethan Wittenburg is leading the Warrior receiving corps with 592 yards and five touchdowns. Jake Balliu has tallied 408 receiving yards and three touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the Winona State defense has allowed 25.0 points and 369.6 yards of total offense a game this season. Teams are averaging 92.0 rushing yards and 277.6 passing yards a game this season against the Warriors.

Clay Schueffner leads the Warrior defense with 78 tackles, while Mitch Snitker has tallied 77 tackles. Carter Duxbury has notched 40 tackles, including a team-leading 12.0 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks.