MANKATO, Minn. --- #17 Minnesota State returns to Blakeslee Stadium this weekend for its annual Homecoming Game as it takes on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 481-387-28 (.552) in 896 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 117-14 (.893) 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 109-23 (.825) 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 109 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. Concordia-St. Paul: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 15th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 12-2. MSU owns a 6-1 record against the Golden Bears at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks have won their last nine outings against CSP including a 29-3 win in their last meeting back in 2019.

Senior JD Ekowa threw for 88 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer recorded a rushing touchdown also.

Senior Jack Leius led the Maverick defense against the Golden Bears with seven tackles, including 4.5 for a loss.

Homecoming History: Saturday's Homecoming game will be the 88th in program history dating back to the 1928 season. The Mavericks own a 52-33-2 record during their Homecoming festivities, including wins in their last nine outings. 

This will be the third time that Minnesota State has hosted Concordia-St. Paul during its Homecoming weekend. The Mavericks won their previous two encounters against the Golden Bears (30-10 in 2012 & 45-10 in 2016).

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 3-1 record on the season after defeating Minot State 68-10 last weekend on the road.

As a team, MSU has tallied 1,944 yards of offense, including 960 passing yards and 984 rushing yards, while scoring 163 points. The Mavericks are also 8-for-13 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 355 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman Charles Coleman has tallied 163 rushing yards and a touchdown. Senior JD Ekowa has four rushing touchdowns as well.

Ekowa has thrown for 506 yards and two touchdowns this season, while freshman Hayden Ekern has tallied 403 yards and four touchdown passes. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 15 catches for 338 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Gabe Hagen has tallied 133 receiving yards and a touchdown catch also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 24.5 points and 210.5 yards of total offense a game this season, including 842 passing yards and 431 rushing yards.

Senior Eli Thomas leads the Mavericks in tackles with 17, while junior Bedale Naba has tallied 10 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Sophomore Trent Carpenter has tallied 15 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss as well. Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks has recorded a team-best two interceptions also.

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-3 record, including a 34-24 loss to Southwest Minnesota State last weekend at home.

As a team, Minot State is averaging 17.0 points and 280.8 yards of total offense a game this season. The Golden Bears have averaged 74.0 rushing yards and 206.7 passing yards a game this season.

Jaylin Richardson leads the CSP rushing attack with 132 yards and two touchdowns. Connor Cordts has tallied 83 rushing yards also.

Cordts has thrown for 800 yards and six touchdowns this season. Isaiah Koran leads the CSP receiving corps with 16 catches for 164 yards. Nathan Gimza has tallied 153 receiving yards and a touchdown also.

As a unit, the Concordia-St. Paul defense has allowed 34.2 points and 406.3 yards of offense a game this season. CSP's opponents have tallied 246.0 rushing yards and 160.2 passing yards a game against them this season.

Andrew Egnarski leads the Golden Bear defense with 27 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Preston Piltoff has tallied 25 tackles, while Gabe Nkumu has posted 18 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss.