MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State football team opens its home schedule this Saturday as it takes on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2022 season marks the school's 95th season playing football. The Mavericks are 485-391-28 (.551) in 904 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 121-18 (.870) 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 113-27 (.807) 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 113 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. Minnesota Duluth: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 41st meeting, with UMD leading the all-time series 21-18-1. The Bulldogs won their previous meeting 30-10 last season in Duluth. The Mavericks own a 10-11 record against the Bulldogs at Blakeslee Stadium, including wins in their last three encounters at home.

In their most recent outing back in 2021, senior Jalen Sample caught four passes for 61 yards, while senior Nyles Williams caught three passes for 33 yards. Senior Payton Conrad and junior Trent Carpenter each tallied a team-leading six tackles as well.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-0 record as the Mavericks defeated Bemidji State 37-34 last week on the road.

As a team, MSU has tallied 331 yards of offense a game this season, including 235 passing yards and 96 rushing yards, while scoring 37 points. The Mavericks are also 1-for-22 in fourth down attempts. 

Freshman Mitch Randall leads the Mavericks in rushing yards with 48, while junior Kaleb Sleezer has tallied 22 rushing yards.

Randall has thrown for 135 yards and a touchdown this season. Senior Jalen Sample leads the Maverick receiving corps with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore DJ Barber has tallied six catches for 59 yards as well.

The Maverick defense has allowed 34.0  points and 425.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 367.0 passing yards and 58.0 rushing yards.

Sophomore Terrell Hall and senior Elijah McGhee have each tallied a team-leading eight tackles, with McGhee, senior Nic Vinson and sophomore Jacob Daulton each recording an interception.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend the owner of a 1-0 record, including a 31-21 win over Southwest Minnesota State last week at home.

As a team, UMD is averaging 31.0 points and 441.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 243.0 passing yards and 198.0 rushing yards a game.

Wade Sullivan leads the UMD rushing attack with 121 yards, while Byron Bynum  has recorded 22 yards and a touchdown.

Logan Graetz has thrown for 230 yards and three touchdowns this season. Armani Carmickle has caught eight passes for 104 yards and a touchdown this season, while Noah Skifton has tallied 43 receiving yards and a touchdown.

As a unit, the UMD defense has allowed 21.0 points and 306.0 yards of total offense per game this season. Opponents have averaged 145.0 rushing yards and 161.0 passing yards a game this season against the Bulldogs this season.

Brad Dati leads the Bulldog defense with nine tackles, one tackle for a loss and a sack. Dayvia Gbor has recorded two interceptions as well.