MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State finishes its two-game road trip this Saturday as it takes on the #19 Sioux Falls Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., at Bob Young Field.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 490-393-28 (.553) in 911 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 126-20 (.863) 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 118-29 (.802) 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 118 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. Sioux Falls: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 12th meeting, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 8-3. Last season, USF defeated MSU 45-35 at Blakeslee Stadium. Minnesota State owns a 5-0 record against the Cougars in Sioux Falls.

Last season, senior Nyles Williams caught five passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns

Senior Nic Vinson tallied five tackles, including one for a loss, while senior Payton Conrad notched three tackles and an interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-2 record after the Mavericks defeated Augustana 35-14 on the road this past weekend.

As a team, MSU has tallied 361.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 203.8 passing yards and 157.8 rushing yards, while scoring 30.3 points. The Mavericks are also 7-for-10 in fourth down attempts. 

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 431 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sophomore Hayden Ekern has thrown for 697 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams leads the Maverick receiving corps with 319 yards and three touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.1  points and 360.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 228.5 passing yards and 131.5 rushing yards.

Sophomore Payton Conrad leads the Maverick defense with 45 tackles, while sophomore Jacob Daulton has tallied 40 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Trent Carpenter has tallied 29 tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall has notched 25 tackles and defended eight passes.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 7-1 record, including a 20-17 loss to Winona state on the road last weekend.

As a team, USF is averaging 32.8 points and 427.6 yards of total offense a game this season. The Cougars are averaging 200.1 passing yards and 227.5 rushing yards a game.

Thuro Reisdorfer leads the USF rushing attack with 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. Landon Freeman has tallied 569 yards and eight touchdown carries also.

Adam Mullen has thrown for 1,601 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Ethan Wittenburg leads the USF receiving corps with 576 yards and four touchdown catches. 

As a unit, the USF defense has allowed 19.1 points and 293.1 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 101.8 rushing yards and 191.3 passing yards a game this season against the Cougars.

Cameron Alfaro and Noah Schmitt lead the Cougar defense with 35 tackles, while Zach Durfee has notched 12.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks.