MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State opens its home schedule this Saturday as it takes on the Wayne State Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2023 season marks the school's 96th season playing football. The Mavericks are 495-394-28 (.555) in 917 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 130-20 (.866) 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 123-30 (.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 123 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. Wayne State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 16th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 13-2. Last season, WSC defeated MSU 41-33 in Wayne on week six, before the Mavericks bested the Wildcats 26-9

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson rushed for 113 yards against WSC, while junior Tony Anger notched a pair of touchdown carries.

Senior Jacob Daulton led the Mavericks with eight tackles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns an 11-2 record against the Wildcats, including a 6-1 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State opens its season with a 54-26 win over the Sioux Falls Cougars last week, marking the 11th consecutive season that the Mavericks have opened the season with a win.

As a team, MSU has notched 642.0 yards of total offense this season, including 461.0 rushing yards. The Mavericks have also scored 54 points.

Junior Shen Butler-Lawson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 221 yards and four touchdown carries. Junior Christian Vasser has notched 144 rushing yards and a touchdown also, while junior Tony Anger has notched two rushing touchdowns of his own.

Junior Hayden Ekern has thrown for 157 yards and a touchdown also. Sophomore Isaiah Emanuel has caught four passes for 41 yards also.

The Maverick defense has allowed 26 points and 304.0 yards a game this season.

Senior Jacob Daulton, sophomore Colton Hoffman and senior Trey Vaval lead the team with five tackles each. Junior Cody Brown has notched three tackles for a loss and one sack as well.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 13th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 123-30 (.803) record.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the week the owner of a 1-0 record as the Wildcats defeated MSU Moorhead 31-23 at home last weekend.

As a team, WSC has tallied 31.0 points and 389.0 yards of total offense a game, including 264.0 passing yards a game.

Latravious Boyd leads the WSC rushing attack with 52 yards, while Dawson Forgy has tallied 43 yards and a touchdown.

Nick Bohn has thrown for 264 yards and a touchdown this season. Ashten Schmaderer has caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Jadon Johnson has caught four passes for 67 yards also.

As a unit, the WSC defense has allowed 23.0 points and 348.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 351.0 passing yards and -3.0 rushing yards.

Tyler LeClair and Alex Schall have each tallied seven tackles, while Dexter Larsen has notched four tackles and a sack.

Wayne State is coached by Logan Masters who is in his second season as head coach of the Wildcats. He owns a 10-3 record, including a 1-1 record against the Mavericks.

To view the full game notes click HERE