MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State begins a two-game road trip this Saturday as it takes the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 483-390-28 (.551) in 901 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 119-17 (.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 111-26 (.810) 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. Southwest Minnesota State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 19th meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 18-0. The Mavericks own an 8-0 record against the Mustangs on the road, including a 38-23 win in their most recent meeting back in 2019.

Senior JD Ekowa tallied 108 passing yards, to go along with 67 rushing yards. Senior Jack Leius recorded four tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 5-4 record on the season after  suffering a 45-35 loss to Sioux Falls last weekend at home.

As a team, MSU has tallied 4,221 yards of offense, including 2,371 passing yards and 1,850 rushing yards, while scoring 373 points. The Mavericks are also 15-for-25 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 454 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 1,571 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, while freshman Hayden Ekern has tallied 749 yards and seven touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 46 catches for 807 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams has tallied 27 catches for 438 yards and six touchdowns also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 25.8  points and 364.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 214.7 passing yards and 149.2 rushing yards.

Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied a team-leading 39 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 29 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 four interceptions also.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-7 record, including losses in its last four games. Last weekend, SMSU fell to Bemidji State 48-14 on the road.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 18.0 points and 288.4 yards of offense a game this season. The Mustangs are averaging 135.1 rushing yards a game and 153.3 passing yards a game.

Jesse Sherwood leads the SMSU rushing attack with 787 yards and six touchdowns. Duce Reynolds has tallied 249 rushing yards and four touchdown carries also.

Andrew Haidet has thrown for 1,057 yards and five touchdowns this season. Zeke Robinson leads the SMSU receiving corps with 234 yards and three touchdown catches. Keilan Smith has tallied 205 receiving yards .

As a unit, the Southwest Minnesota State defense has allowed 32.5 points and 403.7 yards of total offense a game this season. Teams are averaging 152.8 rushing yards and 250.8 passing yards a game this season against the Mustangs.

Onte Burns leads the Mustang defense with 86 tackles this season. Gage Roberson has tallied 67 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 2.0 sacks. Marshawn Reese has tallied 54 tackles and an interception also.