MANKATO, Minn. --- The #3 Minnesota State football team opens its road schedule this Saturday as it travels up north to take on #20 Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2021 season marked the school's 94th season playing football. The Mavericks are 479-386-28 (.552) in 893 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 115-13 (.898) 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 107-22 (.829) 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.

TV for Saturday: Saturday's game between #3 Minnesota State and #20 Minnesota Duluth will be televised locally on KEYC.

Series vs. Minnesota Duluth: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 40th all-time meeting with the Bulldogs leading the series 20-18-1. The Mavericks own an 8-8-1 record against the Bulldogs in Duluth. Minnesota State has won its last five encounters with Minnesota Duluth, including 52-7 win in their most recent meeting during the 2019 season. 

Senior JD Ekowa threw for 88 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Kaleb Sleezer ran for 76 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Blake Ver Mulm caught a touchdown pass also.

Senior Jack Leius recorded four tackles while sophomore Nic Dahlke tallied three tackles, including one for a loss and a sack. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 1-0 record on the season after defeating Northern State 40-34 in overtime last week at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU tallied 542 yards of offense, including 295 passing yards and 247 rushing yards, while scoring 40 points. The Mavericks also went 6-for-6 in fourth down attempts. 

Sophomore Kaleb Sleezer is leading MSU rushers with 153 yards a touchdown. Senior JD Ekowa has two rushing touchdowns as well, while freshman Hayden Ekern tallied one rushing touchdown also.

Ekern has thrown for 156 yards and touchdown this season, while Ekowa has tallied 139 passing yards. Junior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Gabe Hagen has tallied 70 receiving yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 34 points and 383 yards of total offense, including 331 passing yards.

Senior Ty'Shonan Brooks, junior Bedale Naba and senior Eli Thomas have each tallied six tackles. Naba also leads the team in tackles for a loss with 2.5 and in sacks with 1.5.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth owns a 1-0 record on the season. Last week, the Bulldogs defeated Upper Iowa 41-14 in Fayette, Iowa.

As a team, UMD has tallied 530 yards of total offense, including 447 yards through the air. The Bulldogs have also notched 83 rushing yards and 41 points.

Cazz Martin has posted 45 rushing yards this season, while Daniel Mitchell has tallied 20 yards.

John Larson has thrown for 447 yards and six touchdowns this season. Armani Carmickle has recorded a team-best five catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Kurtis Weigand has notched 70 receiving yards and two touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the Minnesota Duluth defense has allowed 14 points and 304 yards of total offense this season. Opponents have tallied 170 passing yards against the Bulldogs

Justic'e King has recorded six tackles this season, while Marcus Glodowski has posted five tackles and an interception. Nate Pearson has tallied two sacks as well.