MANKATO, Minn. --- #5 Minnesota State continues its season at home this Saturday as it hosts the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. 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 500-397-27 (.555) in 924 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 133-20 (.869) 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 125-30 (.806) 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 125 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. Concordia-St. Paul: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 17th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 14-2. The Mavericks have won their last 11 games against the Golden Bears, including a 25-15 road win in their most recent encounter last season.

Junior Gabe Hagen and sophomore Jack Cicero each caught a touchdown pass against the Golden Bears last season.

Senior Dakota Smith record seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, to go along with a fumble recovery. Seniors Jacob Daulton and Zack MacIntire each tallied six tackles also. 

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns an 11-1 record against Concordia-St. Paul, including a 5-1 record at Blakeslee Stadium. 

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 3-0 last weekend as it bested Minot State 52-25 on the road. The Mavericks are one of four NSIC teams to start the season 3-0, along with Bemidji State, Augustana and Minnesota Duluth.

As a team, MSU is averaging 45.6 points and 541.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are posting 290.3 rushing yards and 250.6 passing yards a game this season and have allowed just one quarterback sack.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 468 yards and seven 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 and 111 rushing yards.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 690 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 153 yards and a touchdown, while freshman Mason Perich has tallied 149 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 21.6 points and 294.0 yards a game this season. MSU has also recorded 10 sacks and have held opposing teams to a 6-of-29 (20.7%) showing on third down.

Senior Zack MacIntire has tallied 13 tackles, while junior Maven Kretche has notched 10 tackles, including two for a loss and two sacks. Junior Cody Brown has tallied four tackles for a loss also, while junior Khai West has recorded two interceptions.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 13th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 125-30 (.806) record.

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-2 record, including a 24-16 loss to Augustana at home last weekend.

As a team, CSP has tallied 22.3 points and 330.7 yards of total offense a game, including 165.7 rushing yards a game.

Jaylin Richardson leads the CSP rushing attack with 196 yards and two touchdowns, while Daniel Hornacek has tallied 153 yards and a touchdown.

Connor Cordts has thrown for 472 yards and three touchdowns this season. Drew Enke has caught 11 passes for 198 yards, while Troy Ellison has recorded 95 receiving yards.

As a unit, the Concordia-St. Paul defense has allowed 25.6 points and 337.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 207.3 passing yards and 130.0 rushing yards.

Cyrus McClure leads the CSP defense with 20 tackles, while Richard Wauer has notched 17 tackles. Koffi Gbekle has notched 15 tackles, including 2.5 sacks. 

Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Shannon Currier who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Golden Bears. He owns a 50-63 record at CSP.

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