MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State returns to Blakeslee Stadium this Saturday as it hosts the Upper Iowa Peacocks. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 488-393-28 (.552) in 909 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922. Minnesota State is in its 14th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 124-20 (.861) 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 2022 season marks the 13th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 13 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 116-29 (.800) 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 115 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. Upper Iowa: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Upper Iowa marks their 16th overall meeting with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 15-0. Last season, MSU shutout the Peacocks 58-0 on the road.

Last season, senior Nyles Williams and sophomore Christian Vasser each recorded a rushing touchdown, while senior Jalen Sample and sophomore Gabe Hagen each caught a touchdown pass.

Senior Nic Vinson and juniors Trent Carpenter and Grant Nagel each recorded five tackles. Sophomore Joey Goettl notched an interceptions as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-2 record after the Mavericks fell to Wayne State 41-33 on the road.

As a team, MSU has tallied 353.2 yards of offense a game this season, including 210.3 passing yards and 142.8 rushing yards, while scoring 27.5 points. The Mavericks are also 5-for-7 in fourth down attempts. 

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 285 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman Camden Dean has thrown for 527 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams leads the Maverick receiving corps with 316 yards and three touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 25.1  points and 393.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 224.5 passing yards and 169.3 rushing yards.

Sophomore Payton Conrad leads the Maverick defense with 35 tackles, while sophomore Jacob Daulton has tallied 35 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Trent Carpenter has tallied 20 tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall has notched 22 tackles and defended six passes.

Concerning the Peacocks: Upper Iowa enters the weekend the owner of a 0-6 record, including a 31-14 loss to Augustana last weekend at home.

As a team, UIU is averaging 11.6 points and 225.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Peacocks are averaging 161.1 passing yards and 63.8 rushing yards a game.

Desean Phillips leads the UIU rushing attack with 292 yards and a touchdown. Aboubacar Barry has tallied 140 rushing yards and a touchdown also.

Marcus Orr has thrown for 887 yards and six touchdowns this season. Cole Ewald leads UIU receivers with 232 yards and a touchdown.

As a unit, the UIU defense has allowed 34.6 points and 400.8 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 204.2 rushing yards and 196.6 passing yards a game this season against the Peacocks this season.

Collin Jones leads the UIU defense with 38 tackles. Trevor Thompson has posted 33 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for a loss, while Tyler Owen has notched 31 tackles.