MANKATO, Minn. --- #9 Minnesota State concludes its regular season schedule this Saturday as it hosts Minnesota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Should MSU defeat UMD, it will claim a share of the NSIC Championship along with the winner of the game between Augustana and Bemidji State.

Our History: The 2023 season marks the school's 96th season playing football. The Mavericks are 506-398-27 (.558) in 931 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 139-21 (.868) 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 131-31 (.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 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. Minnesota Duluth: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 42nd all-time meeting. The Mavericks are 19-21-1 against the Bulldogs, including a 17-10 win at Blakeslee Stadium during the 2022 season.

Senior Trey Vaval notched 132 punt return yards, including an 85-yard return for a touchdown. Senior Jacob Daulton recorded four tackles, including one for a loss. Junior Maven Kretche posted two tackles, a sack and recovered a fumble also.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns 5-3 record against Minnesota Duluth, including a 4-0 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 9-1 last weekend as it defeated Winona State 49-42 on the road last weekend. The Mavericks are tied with Augustana and Bemidji State atop the NSIC standings with 8-1 conference records.

As a team, MSU is averaging 36.4 points and 451.6 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are posting 228.3 rushing yards and 223.0 passing yards a game this season and have allowed just seven quarterback sacks.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 1,352 yards to go along with 15 touchdown carries. Junior Christian Vasser has notched 381 rushing yards and two touchdowns also, while junior Tony Anger has notched five rushing touchdowns of his own and 180 rushing yards.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 2,161 yards and 20 touchdowns. Sophomore TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 432 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman Mason Perich has tallied 260 yards and four touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 21.6 points and 353.2 yards a game this season. MSU has also recorded 24 sacks and have held opposing teams to a 43-of-128 (33.5%) showing on third down.

Senior Jacob Daulton has tallied 43 tackles, while junior Maven Kretche has notched 27 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.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 13th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 131-31 (.808) record.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend the owner of an 8-2 record, including a 44-32 win over Concordia-St. Paul at home last weekend.

As a team, UMD has tallied 38.2 points and 414.3 yards of total offense a game, including 252.8 rushing yards a game.

Kyle Walljasper leads the Bulldog rushing attack with 999 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jaylin McKnight has rushed for 428 yards and four touchdowns also.

Walljasper has thrown for 1,368 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. DaShaun Ames has caught 23 passes for 397 yards and two touchdowns, while Sam Pitz has recorded 347 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

As a unit, the UMD defense has allowed 18.4 points and 286.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 95.8 rushing  yards and 190.7 passing yards.

Marcus Glodowski leads the UMD defense with 48 tackles and two interceptions, while Ethan Beffert has notched 30 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss and 3.0 sacks. Drew Hennessey has notched 26 tackles, including 12.5 for a loss and 8.0 sacks also.

Minnesota Duluth is coached by Curt Wiese who is in his 10th season with the Bulldogs. He owns a 96-23 (.806) record at Minnesota Duluth.

Regional Rankings: Minnesota State has been ranked seventh in the latest edition of the NCAA Super Region Four rankings. Super Region Four consists of teams from the NSIC, Lone Star Conference and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The top-seven teams will advance to the NCAA Tournament.