MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in team history and will take on Augustana in the first round this Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

The winner of the game between MSU and AU will advance to the second round to take on Colorado School of Mines on Nov. 25 in Golden, Colo.

Our History: The 2023 season marks the school's 96th season playing football. The Mavericks are 506-399-27 (.557) in 932 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 139-22 (.863) 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 are making their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season. 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 131-32 (.803) 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 131 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. Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 54th all-time meeting. The Mavericks are 28-25 all-time against the Vikings, including a 28-10 loss to AU earlier this season. 

Junior Hayden Ekern threw for 181 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 48 yards. Senior Jacob Daulton led the Mavericks in tackles with six, while senior Dakota Smith notched four tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns a 9-4 record against Augustana, including a 4-3 record in Sioux Falls.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State dropped to 9-2 last weekend as it fell to Minnesota Duluth 33-21 at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks finished the regular season in a tie for second in the NSIC standings with an 8-2 conference record along with UMD and Bemidji State.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.0 points and 444.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are posting 219.9 rushing yards and 213.9 passing yards a game this season and have allowed 11 quarterback sacks.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack, and ranks fourth in Division II, with 1,412 yards to go along with 15 touchdown carries. Junior Christian Vasser has notched 391 rushing yards and two touchdowns also, while junior Tony Anger has notched five rushing touchdowns of his own and 185 rushing yards.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 2,393 yards and 21 touchdowns. Sophomore TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 486 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman Mason Perich has tallied 281 yards and four touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 22.6 points and 354.2 yards a game this season. MSU has also recorded 27 sacks and have held opposing teams to a 49-of-141 (34.7%) showing on third down.

Senior Jacob Daulton has tallied 50 tackles, while junior Maven Kretche has notched 29 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss and 9.5 sacks. Junior Cody Brown has tallied 8.0 for a loss and 4.5 sacks also, while junior Khai West has recorded five interceptions, which ranks 14th in Division II.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 13th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 131-32 (.803) record.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 10-1 record, including a 38-19 win over Bemidji State at home last weekend. The Vikings won the NSIC Championships with a 9-1 conference record.

As a team, AU has tallied 33.1 points and 381.5 yards of total offense a game, including 162.6 rushing yards a game.

Jarod Epperson leads the Viking rushing attack with 1,028 yards and 10 touchdowns. Casey Bauman has rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns also.

Bauman has thrown for 2,391 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. Jack Fisher has caught 26 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns, while Devon Jones has recorded 462 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

As a unit, the AU defense has allowed 16.4 points and 299.9 yards of offense a game this season, including 82.8 rushing  yards and 217.1 passing yards.

Peyton Buckley leads the AU defense with 68 tackles and two interceptions, while Haden Wallace has notched 54 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 2.0 sacks. Will Davis has notched 27 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 4.5 sacks also.

Augustana is coached by Jerry Olszewski who is in his 11th season with the Vikings. He owns a 73-40 (.646) record at AU.

NCAA Playoff History: The Mavericks own a 15-13 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament, including an 11-6 mark at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU is making its 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season. In 2022, MSU defeated Wayne State 26-9 in the first round, before falling to Colorado School of Mines 48-45 in the second round.