MANKATO, Minn. --- #24 Minnesota State hits the road this weekend as it travels to Aberdeen, S.D., to take on the Northern State Wolves on Saturday at Dacotah Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 486-391-28 (.552) in 905 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 122-18 (.871) 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 114-27 (.808) 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 114 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. Northern State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their 12th overall meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 10-1. The Mavericks have won their last 10 outings against the Wolves and own a 4-1 record against NSU on the road. Last season, Minnesota State defeated Northern State 40-34 in overtime at Blakeslee Stadium.

In their most recent outing back in 2021, senior Jalen Sample caught four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Gabe Hagen tallied 70 receiving yards. Sophomore Jacob Daulton tallied five tackles, including 1.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Sophomore James Williams also recovered a fumble on a kickoff that set up the MSU's game-tying drive in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 record as the Mavericks defeated Minnesota Duluth 17-10 at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU has tallied 266.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 173.5 passing yards and 93.0 rushing yards, while scoring 27.0 points. The Mavericks are also 2-for-3 in fourth down attempts. 

Freshman Mitch Randall leads the Mavericks in rushing yards with 114 yards and a touchdown, while junior Shen Butler Lawson has tallied 26 rushing yards.

Randall has thrown for 247 yards and a touchdown this season. Senior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with 11 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore DJ Barber has tallied six catches for 59 yards as well.

The Maverick defense has allowed 22.0  points and 327.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 214.0 passing yards and 113.0 rushing yards.

Senior Elijah McGhee and junior Trent Carpenter have each tallied a team-leading 10 tackles, with McGhee, senior Nic Vinson and sophomore Jacob Daulton each recording an interception.

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-1 record, including a 13-6 loss to Wayne State on the road last weekend.

As a team, NSU is averaging 18.0 points and 331.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Wolves are averaging 200.0 passing yards and 131.0 rushing yards a game.

Isaiah Cherrier leads the NSU rushing attack with 88 yards, while Brett Brenton  has recorded 77 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Bonds has thrown for 340 yards and three touchdowns this season. Dominick Fiscell has caught 12 passes for 124 yards, while Ben Noland and Caleb Schentzel have each caught a touchdown pass.

As a unit, the NSU defense has allowed 6.5 points and 198.5 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 71.0 rushing yards and 127.5 passing yards a game this season against the Wolves this season.

Ian Marshall leads the Bulldog defense with 11 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 3.0 sacks. Trey King has tallied eight tackles as well, while Ar'Shon Willis has posted six tackles and an interception.