MANKATO, Minn. --- #19 Minnesota State continues its season this Saturday as it takes on the Bemidji State Beavers. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 479-387-28 (.551) in 894 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 115-14 (.891) 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 107-23 (.823) 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 107 coaching victories at Minnesota State are the second most in program history. Dan Runkle recorded 108 career coaching victories during his tenure as head coach of the Mavericks from 1981-2001.

Series vs. Bemidji State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 49th meeting with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 31-15-2. MSU owns a 16-6-2 record against the Beavers at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks defeated BSU 47-20 on the road in their most recent meeting during the 2018 season.

Senior JD Ekowa threw for 87 yards and a touchdown, while senior Parker Gloudemans catch a 19-yard touchdown pass. 

Junior Bedale Naba recorded two tackles, including a tackle for a loss and a sack, while forcing a fumble. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 1-1 record on the season after suffering a 30-10 defeat at Minnesota Duluth last weekend.

As a team, MSU has tallied 789 yards of offense, including 443 passing yards and 346 rushing yards, while scoring 50 points. The Mavericks are also 6-for-9 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 178 yards a touchdown. Senior JD Ekowa has two rushing touchdowns as well, while freshman Hayden Ekern tallied one rushing touchdown also.

Ekowa has thrown for 237 yards and a touchdown this season, while Ekern has tallied 206 yards and a touchdown. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with eight catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Gabe Hagen has tallied 88 receiving yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 32.0 points and 362.5 yards of total offense a game this season, including 515 passing yards and 210 rushing yards.

Senior Eli Thomas leads the Mavericks in tackles with 12, while junior Bedale Naba has tallied six tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Freshman Jacob Daulton has tallied five tackles and 1.5 sacks also.

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 record, including a 38-28 win at home against Wayne State last weekend.

As a team, BSU is averaging 31.0 points and 481.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Beavers have tallied 101.5 rushing yards and 379.5 passing yards a game this season.

Sage Booker leads the BSU rushing attack with 137 yards, while Makaio Harn has tallied 100 rushing yards.

Brandon Alt has thrown for 759 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Brendan Beaulieu has caught 11 passes for 230 yards, while Dhel Duncan-Busby has caught eight passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Malik Williams has caught three touchdown passes also.

As a unit, the Bemidji State defense has allowed 22.0 points and 392.5 yards of offense a game this season. BSU's opponents have tallied 211.5 rushing yards and 181.0 passing yards a game against them this season.

Gabe Ames and Cole Sorby lead the Beavers in tackles with 12. Ty Guden has notched seven tackles, including a team-best 2.0 tackles for a loss. BSU has also recovered four fumbles.