MANKATO, Minn. --- #20 Minnesota State heads north this weekend as it takes on the Minot State Beavers this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 480-387-28 (.551) in 895 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 116-14 (.892) 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 108-23 (.824) 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 108 coaching victories at Minnesota State are tied for the 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. Minot State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their fifth meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 4-0. MSU owns a 2-0 record against the Beavers on the road. During their most recent meeting, Minnesota State defeated Minot State 62-13 at Blakeslee Stadium during the 2018 season.

Senior JD Ekowa threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns, while also recording one rushing touchdown. Junior Jalen Sample recorded 50 receiving yards, while senior Parker Gloudemans caught a touchdown pass.

Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks recorded three tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 2-1 record on the season after besting Bemidji State 45-24 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU has tallied 1,329 yards of offense, including 695 passing yards and 634 rushing yards, while scoring 95 points. The Mavericks are also 6-for-11 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 292 yards a touchdown. Senior JD Ekowa has four rushing touchdowns as well, while freshman Hayden Ekern tallied one rushing touchdown also.

Ekowa has thrown for 366 yards and a touchdown this season, while Ekern has tallied 278 yards and two touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 13 catches for 282 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Gabe Hagen has tallied 130 receiving yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 29.3 points and 364.7 yards of total offense a game this season, including 776 passing yards and 318 rushing yards.

Senior Eli Thomas leads the Mavericks in tackles with 14, while junior Bedale Naba has tallied eight tackles, including 3.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied 13 tackles, including 2.0 for a loss as well.

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 0-3 record, including a 48-0 loss last weekend at Wayne State. The Beavers have been shutout twice this season.

As a team, Minot State is averaging 3.3 points and 249.3 yards of total offense a game this season. The Beavers have tallied 113.3 rushing yards and 136.0 passing yards a game this season.

Ali Mohamed leads the Beaver rushing attack with 212 rushing yards, while Evan Lovett has notched 52 rushing yards.

Ben Bolinske has thrown for 271 yards and a touchdown this season. Cory Carignan has caught 11 passes for 126 yards, while Mohamed has caught two passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

As a unit, the Minot State defense has allowed 48.6 points and 493.7 yards of offense a game this season. Minot State's opponents have tallied 237.7 rushing yards and 256.0 passing yards a game against them this season.

Kyle Van Berkom has tallied a team-leading 21 tackles, while Isaiah Bigby has posted 20 tackles. Roma'n Grissett has tallied 13 tackles and an interception also.