MANKATO, Minn. --- #23 Minnesota State concludes its regular season schedule this Saturday as it takes on #25 Winona State. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Should Minnesota State defeat Winona State, it will claim a share of the NSIC South Division Championship and at least a share of the overall NSIC Championship.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 492-393-28 (.553) in 914 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 128-20 (.864) 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 120-29 (.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 120 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. Winona State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 61st meeting in their all-time series which dates back to the 1923 season. The Mavericks own a 37-19-4 record against the Warriors, including a 17-9-2 record at home. Last season, WSU defeated the Mavericks 18-16 in Winona.

Sophomore Christian Vasser rushed for 104 yards, while senior Nyles Williams caught two passes for 21 yards. Senior Nic Vinson led the defense with seven tackles, while senior Somon Anderson tallied six tackles, including a tackle for a loss.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-2 record after the Mavericks defeated Southwest Minnesota State 45-24 last weekend at home. MSU is on a four-game winning streak

As a team, MSU has tallied 365.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 209.9 passing yards and 155.4 rushing yards, while scoring 32.6 points. The Mavericks are also 7-for-11 in fourth down attempts. 

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 653 yards and eight touchdowns.

Sophomore Hayden Ekern has thrown for 1,156 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior Nyles Williams leads the Maverick receiving corps with 549 yards and six touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.3  points and 371.7 yards of total offense a game this season, including 251.2 passing yards and 120.5 rushing yards.

Sophomore Payton Conrad leads the Maverick defense with 54 tackles, while sophomore Jacob Daulton has tallied 44 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Trent Carpenter has tallied 42 tackles, while sophomore Terrell Hall has notched 31 tackles and defended 11 passes.

Concerning the Warriors: Winona State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-2 record as it defeated Upper Iowa 45-7 last weekend on the road. WSU has won its last four games.

As a team, WSU is averaging 30.4 points and 349.5 yards of total offense a game this season. The Warriors are averaging 187.1 passing yards and 162.4 rushing yards a game.

Ty Gavin leads the WSU rushing attack with 742 yards and three touchdowns. Sam Santiago-Lloyd has tallied 489 yards and eight touchdowns also.

Trevor Paulsen has thrown for 1,155 yards and six touchdowns this season. Darryl Williams leads the Warrior receivers with 380 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Sikma has tallied 303 receiving yards and two touchdowns also.

As a unit, the WSU defense has allowed 16.2 points and 300.2 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 76.3 rushing yards and 223.9 passing yards a game this season against the Warriors.

Clay Schueffner leads the WSU defense with 85 tackles, while Carter Duxbury has tallied 27 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss and 6.0 sacks. Mitch Snitker has tallied 63 tackles and two interceptions also.

NCAA Regional Rankings: Minnesota State has improved to third in the latest edition of the NCAA Super Region 4 Rankings this week.

5th Quarter: Maverick fans will be able to take part in the 5th quarter following their regular season finale against Winona State. The fifth quarter will take place at the Loose Moose.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will learn its NCAA Tournament fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, at 4:30 p.m. (CST). The selection show will be streamed on NCAA.com.