MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State begins NSIC South Division competition this Saturday on the road as it takes on the Wayne State Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 488-392-28 (.552) in 908 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 124-19 (.867) 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 116-28 (.805) 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. Wayne State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 14th overall meeting with the Mavericks leading the all-time series 12-1. Last season, WSC defeated the Mavericks 35-24 to claim its first ever win over MSU. The Mavericks are 6-0 against the Wildcats on the road.

Last season, senior Jalen Sample caught 12 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Hayden Ekern threw for 130 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Payton Conrad led the Maverick defense in tackles with nine, while sophomore Maven Kretche recorded 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-1 record as the Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 25-15 on the road last weekend.

As a team, MSU has tallied 315.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 199.2 passing yards and 116.4 rushing yards, while scoring 26.4 points. The Mavericks are also 3-for-5 in fourth down attempts. 

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 184 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman Camden Dean has thrown for 527 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 303 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams has tallied 242 receiving yards and a touchdown catch also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 22.0  points and 365.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 216.2 passing yards and 149.6 rushing yards.

Sophomore Jacob Daulton leads the Maverick defense with 28 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Trent Carpenter has tallied 20 tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall has notched 21 tackles and defended five passes.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-1 record, including a 38-14 loss to Winona State on the road last weekend.

As a team, WSC is averaging 31.4 points and 413.8 yards of total offense a game this season. The Wildcats are averaging 221.8 passing yards and 192.0 rushing yards a game.

Anthony Watkins leads WSC rushers with 323 yards and four touchdowns. Nick Bohn has tallied 301 rushing yards and four touchdowns also.

Bohn has thrown for 967 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Jadon Johnson leads Wildcat receivers with 323 yards and four touchdowns. Mason lee has tallied 298 yards and one touchdown also.

As a unit, the WSC defense has allowed 20.6 points and 299.6 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 108.0 rushing yards and 191.6 passing yards a game this season against the Wildcats this season.

Alex Kowalczyk leads the WSC defense with 38 tackles. Jaylin Scott and Jaxson Johnson have each recorded three sacks this season, while Tanner Cooper has posted two interceptions.