MANKATO, Minn. --- #6 Minnesota State hits the road as it travels to the Peace Garden State to take on the Minot State Beavers. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2023 season marks the school's 96th season playing football. The Mavericks are 496-394-28 (.555) in 918 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 131-20 (.867) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 24 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 124-30 (.805) 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 124 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. Minot State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their sixth all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 5-0. In their previous meeting during the 2021 season, the Mavericks defeated the Beavers 68-10 on the road.

Junior Hayden Ekern threw for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Christian Vasser rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Antonio Alzheimer tallied four tackles, while senior TaeVyn Grixby notched an interception..

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns a 4-0 record against Minot State, including a 2-0 record on the road. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 2-0 last weekend as it bested Wayne State 31-14 at home in Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks are one of four NSIC teams to start the season 2-0, along with Bemidji State, Augustana and Minnesota Duluth.

As a team, MSU is averaging 42.5 points and 580.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are posting 345.5 rushing yards and 234.5 passing yards a game this season and have not allowed a quarterback sack.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 373 yards and five touchdown carries. Junior Christian Vasser has notched 175 rushing yards and a touchdown also, while junior Tony Anger has notched two rushing touchdowns of his own.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 131 yards and a touchdown, while freshman Mason Perich has tallied 120 yards a touchdown.

The Maverick defense has allowed 20.0 points and 296.0 yards a game this season. MSU has also recorded seven sacks and have held opposing teams to a 5-of-23 (21.7%) showing on third down.

Senior Jacob Daulton and sophomore Colton Hoffman with eight tackles each. Junior Cody Brown has notched seven tackles, including three for a loss and one sack. Junior Khai West has notched two interceptions also.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 13th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 124-30 (.805) record.

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 0-2 record, including a 56-14 road loss at MSU Moorhead in its most recent outing.

As a team, Minot State has tallied 18.5 points and 315.0 yards of total offense a game, including 177.5 rushing yards a game.

Evan Lovett leads the MISU rushing attack with 122 yards and a touchdown, while Myles West has tallied 101 yards and a touchdown.

Dawson Macleary has thrown for 188 yards and a touchdown this season. Daniel Stokes has caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, while James Mintmier has recorded 54 receiving yards.

As a unit, the Minot State defense has allowed 42.0 points and 415.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 285.0 passing yards and 130.5 rushing yards.

Carson Cayko leads the MISU defense with 11 tackles, while Emmett Espino has notched eight tackles, including one for a loss and a sack. Knylen Miller-Levi has notched eight tackles and an interception also.

Minot State is coached by Ian Shields who is in his first season as head coach of the Beavers. He owns a 0-2 record.

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