MANKATO, Minn. --- #4 Minnesota State returns home this Saturday for its annual Homecoming game as it takes on the MSU Moorhead Dragons. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium. 

Our History: The 2023 season marks the school's 96th season playing football. The Mavericks are 502-397-27 (.556) in 926 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 135-20 (.870) 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 127-30 (.808) 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 127 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. MSU Moorhead: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their 39th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 24-14. The Mavericks have won their last six encounters against the Dragons, including a 42-20 win in the last meeting back in the 2018 season.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns a 5-0 record against MSU Moorhead, including a 2-0 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Homecoming History: Minnesota State owns a 54-33-2 Homecoming record. The Mavericks have won their last 11 Homecoming games which is tied for the longest Homecoming winning streak in program history (1966-78 & 2011-present).

This will be the 11th time that the Mavericks have hosted the Dragons during Homecoming and the first time since the 1979 season. The Mavericks own a 7-3 record against the Dragons during Homecoming.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 5-0 last weekend as it bested Bemidji State 27-24 on the road. The Mavericks are one of three NSIC teams to start the season 5-0, along with Augustana and Minnesota Duluth.

As a team, MSU is averaging 41.2 points and 499.4 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are posting 285.4 rushing yards and 214.0 passing yards a game this season and have allowed just one quarterback sack.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads all of NCAA Division II with 902 rushing yards to go along with 11 touchdown carries. Junior Christian Vasser has notched 224 rushing yards and a touchdown also, while junior Tony Anger has notched three rushing touchdowns of his own and 114 rushing yards.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 998 yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomore TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 234 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Mason Perich has tallied 201 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 19.8 points and 312.8 yards a game this season. MSU has also recorded 14 sacks and have held opposing teams to a 21-of-63 (33.3%) showing on third down.

Senior Jacob Daulton has tallied 25 tackles, while junior Maven Kretche has notched 14 tackles, including three for a loss and three 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 127-30 (.808) record.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the weekend the owner of a 3-2 record, including a 2-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Dragons defeated Northern State 45-26 at home.

As a team, MSU Moorhead has tallied 37.8 points and 451.4 yards of total offense a game, including 380.4 passing yards a game.

Luke Imdieke leads the Dragon rushing attack with 149 yards, while Tyson Powell has tallied 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Jack Strand has thrown for 1,851 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Carter Birrenkott has caught 27 passes for 469 yards and six touchdowns, while Gabe Florence has recorded 428 receiving yards and four touchdowns..

As a unit, the MSU Moorhead defense has allowed 23.8 points and 338.2 yards of offense a game this season, including 213.8 passing yards and 124.4 rushing yards.

Jack Bungarden leads the MSU Moorhead defense with 37 tackles including 7.5 for a loss, while Tate Gustafson has notched 33 tackles, including 4.0 for a loss. Josiah Behm has notched 31 tackles, including 2.5 sacks. 

MSU Moorhead is coached by Steve Laqua who is in his 13th season as head coach of the Dragons.