MANKATO, Minn. --- Behind its 9-2 record, the Minnesota State football team has advanced to NCAA Tournament for the 13th time in program history and will host the Wayne State Wildcats in the first round at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 493-393-28 (.554) in 915 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 129-20 (.865) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 24 conference championships, including 14 NIC titles and eight NSIC championships. The Mavericks are making their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2022. 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 121-29 (.806) record, including seven NSIC Championships and eight trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

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 121 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 15th meeting in their all-time series which dates back to the 2008 season. The Mavericks leads the series 12-2, but the Wildcats have won the last two outings including a 41-33 win in Wayne, Neb., earlier this season.

Sophomore Hayden Ekern threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns, while senior Nyles Williams caught five passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Shen Butler-Lawson rushed for 103 yards as well.

Senior Payton Conrad paced the Maverick defense with nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while sophomore Jacob Daulton notched six tackles.

Nick Bohn threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats, while David Elder recorded 71 receiving yards and a touchdown. Anthony Watkins rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown also.

Alex Kowalczyk notched 18 tackles, while J'Von France posted four tackles and an interception.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 9-2 record, including a 40-13 win over Winona State last weekend. The Mavericks are on a five-game winning streak and have scored 35 points or more in each of their last five outings.

As a team, MSU has averaged 376.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 212.0 passing yards and 164.6 rushing yards, while scoring 33.2 points. The Mavericks are also 9-for-13 in fourth down attempts. 

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 810 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Sophomore Hayden Ekern has thrown for 1,387 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams leads the Maverick receiving corps with 642 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 22.3  points and 362.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 249.4 passing yards and 113.4 rushing yards.

Sophomore Payton Conrad leads the Maverick defense with 57 tackles, while sophomore Jacob Daulton has tallied 47 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Trent Carpenter has tallied 44 tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall has notched 32 tackles and defended 11 passes.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of 9-2 record as it defeated MSU Moorhead 10-7 at home last weekend. The Wildcats are on a four-game winning streak and have allowed an average of 14.7 points per game during that stretch.

As a team, WSC is averaging 31.0 points and 405.4 yards of total offense a game this season. The Wildcats are averaging 209.5 passing yards and 195.8 rushing yards a game.

Anthony Watkins leads the WSC rushing attack with 763 yards and 10 touchdowns. Nick Bohn has tallied 716 rushing yards and seven touchdowns also.

Bohn has thrown for 2,117 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Jadon Johnson leads the WSC receiving corps with 630 yards and five touchdowns. Mason lee has also tallied 542 receiving yards and four touchdowns also

As a unit, the WSC defense has allowed 20.5 points and 305.3 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 126.2 rushing yards and 179.0 passing yards a game this season against the Wildcats.

Alex Kowalczyk leads the WSC defense with 95 tackles and three interceptions, while Dexter Larson has tallied 61 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss. Jaylan Scott has posted 57 tackles and four sacks also.