MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State hits the road for a pair of games beginning this Saturday as it takes on #21 Augustana. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 489-393-28 (.552) in 910 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 125-20 (.862) 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 117-29 (.801) 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 117 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. Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 52nd meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 27-24. Last season, AU defeated the Mavericks 45-35 at Blakeslee Stadium to snap MSU's nine-game winning streak against the Vikings.

Last season, senior Nyles Williams caught four passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns

Junior Trent Carpenter led the Maverick defense with eight tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall posted five tackles and defended three passes.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 5-2 record after the Mavericks defeated Upper Iowa 43-20 at home in its most recent outing.

As a team, MSU has tallied 367.7 yards of offense a game this season, including 204.5 passing yards and 163.1 rushing yards, while scoring 29.7 points. The Mavericks are also 6-for-9 in fourth down attempts. 

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 377 yards and four touchdowns.

Freshman Camden Dean has thrown for 630 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams leads the Maverick receiving corps with 316 yards and three touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 24.4  points and 378.9 yards of total offense a game this season, including 228.8 passing yards and 150.0 rushing yards.

Sophomore Payton Conrad leads the Maverick defense with 40 tackles, while sophomore Jacob Daulton has tallied 38 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Trent Carpenter has tallied 22 tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall has notched 23 tackles and defended six passes.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 6-1 record, including a 31-27 win over Wayne State at home last weekend

As a team, AU is averaging 28.0 points and 368.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Vikings are averaging 197.1 passing yards and 170.9 rushing yards a game.

David Addo leads the AU rushing attack with 394 yards and three touchdowns. Jarod Epperson has tallied 324 rushing yards and two touchdowns also.

Casey Bauman has thrown for 597 yards and nine touchdowns this season, while Thomas Scholten has thrown for 708 yards and five touchdowns. Jack Fisher leads the AU receiving corps with 344 yards and five touchdowns.

As a unit, the AU defense has allowed 19.2 points and 335.4 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 83.0 rushing yards and 252.4 passing yards a game this season against the Vikings this season.

TJ Liggett leads the Viking defense with 50 tackles, while Eli Weber has notched 35 tackles and three interceptions. Grayson Diepenbrock has tallied 11.0 tackles for a loss and eight sacks as well.