MANKATO, Minn. --- #4 Minnesota State concludes its two-game homestand this Saturday as it hosts Western Oregon in a nonconference game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2023 season marks the school's 96th season playing football. The Mavericks are 503-397-27 (.557) in 927 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922. Minnesota State is in its 15th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 136-20 (.871) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 25 conference championships, including 14 NIC titles and eight NSIC championships. The Mavericks made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2022. MSU owns a 15-13 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

Grabbing the Reins: The 2023 season marks the 13th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 13 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 128-30 (.810) 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 128 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. Western Oregon: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Western Oregon will be their first ever meeting between them.

MSU's game against the Wolves will be its first regular season nonconference game since the 2011 season when it lost to Northern Michigan 31-24 on the road. The last time the Mavericks hosted a regular season nonconference game at Blakeslee Stadium was during the 2010 season when the Mavericks defeated Northern Michigan 7-6.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 6-0 last weekend as it defeated MSU Moorhead 24-21 at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks are one of two NSIC teams to start the season 6-0, along with Augustana.

As a team, MSU is averaging 38.3 points and 479.2 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are posting 264.3 rushing yards and 214.8 passing yards a game this season and have allowed just one quarterback sack.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads all of NCAA Division II with 960 rushing yards to go along with 11 touchdown carries. Junior Christian Vasser has notched 256 rushing yards and a touchdown also, while junior Tony Anger has notched five rushing touchdowns of his own and 123 rushing yards.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 1,217 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sophomore TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 279 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Mason Perich has tallied 216 yards and three touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 20.0 points and 319.7 yards a game this season. MSU has also recorded 18 sacks and have held opposing teams to a 26-of-76 (34.2%) showing on third down.

Senior Jacob Daulton has tallied 27 tackles, while junior Maven Kretche has notched 16 tackles, including five for a loss and five sacks. Junior Cody Brown has tallied seven tackles for a loss and four sacks also, while junior Khai West has recorded two interceptions.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 13th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 128-30 (.810) record.

Concerning the Wolves: Western Oregon enters the weekend the owner of a 3-3 record, including wins in its last two outings against West Texas A&M (37-36) and Western New Mexico (31-10).

As a team, WOU has tallied 23.3 points and 348.2 yards of total offense a game, including 191.7 rushing yards a game.

Dominique Loggins leads the Wolves rushing attack with 547 yards and five touchdowns, while Austin Bacher has tallied 329 yards and three touchdowns.

Gannon Winker has thrown for 787 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Keyvaun Eady has caught 22 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns, while Brenden Hodge has recorded 149 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

As a unit, the Western Oregon defense has allowed 25.3 points and 331.7 yards of offense a game this season, including 209.0 passing yards and 122.7 rushing yards.

Malcolm Liufau leads the Western Oregon defense with 33 tackles including 2.0 sacks, while Isaiah Abraham has notched 32 tackles, including 4.0 for a loss. Dawson Muggy has notched 31 tackles also.

Western Oregon is coached by Arne Ferguson who is in his 18th season with the Wolves. He owns a 103-86 (.544) record.

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