MANKATO, Minn. --- #7 Minnesota State returns home for its annual Homecoming Game this Saturday as it hosts the Sioux Falls Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 511-400-27 (.559) in 938 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922. Minnesota State is in its 16th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 143-22 (.866) 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 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season against Augustana. MSU owns a 15-14 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

Grabbing the Reins: The 2024 season marks the 14th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 14 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 136-33 (.804) record, including seven NSIC Championships and nine trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

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 136 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. Sioux Falls: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 14th all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 10-3 record. Minnesota State has won its last two meetings against the Cougars, including a 54-26 road win last season.

Last year, senior Hayden Ekern completed 13 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Senior Christian Vasser rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown also, while junior Isaiah Emanuel caught four passes for 41 yards.

On defense, MSU held USF to just 82 rushing yards compared to its own 461 rushing yards. Junior Colton Hoffman tallied five tackles while junior Cody Brown recorded three tackles for a loss and a sack. In total, the Maverick defense recorded 10 tackles for a loss and six sacks. 

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 7-2 record against Sioux Falls, including a 2-2 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State sits atop the NSIC standings with a 5-0 overall record, including a 4-0 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated Concordia-St. Paul 33-20 on the road. 

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.0 points and 457.4 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 215.6 rushing yards and 241.8 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 346 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior Tony Anger has tallied 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 204 rushing yards and six touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 393 yards and six touchdowns, while junior Jeremiah Howard has notched 171 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Maverick defense has allowed 21.0 points and 306.8 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 146.6 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 37 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 22 tackles and an interception. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 5.0 tackles for a loss and 3.0 sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 136-33 (.804) record.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 3-2 record, including a 2-2 NSIC record. USF has lost its last two outings, including a 26-22 loss to Minot State at home last weekend.

As a team, USF is averaging 29.8 points and 333.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Cougars are averaging 139.2 rushing yards and 172.6 passing yards a game.

Dylan Rudningen leads the USF rushing attack with 250 yards and four touchdown carries, while Camden Dean has tallied 244 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Dean has thrown for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Carter Slykhuis leads the USF receiving corps with 352 yards and four touchdown catches. Mark Leonard has notched 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns also.

As a unit, the Cougar defense has allowed 22.0 points and 311.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 139.2 rushing yards and 172.6 passing yards.

Andy Henson leads the USF defense with 37 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, while Matt Goehring has tallied 33 tackles and three interceptions. Garret Hoffman has posted 31 tackles and a fumble recovery also.

Sioux Falls is coached by Jim Glogowski who is in his 2nd season as head coach of the Cougars. He owns a 6-10 record at Sioux Falls.

Homecoming History: Minnesota State owns a 55-33-2 record during Homecoming. MSU has won its last 12 Homecoming games dating back to the 2011 season, which is the longest Homecoming winning streak in team history. This will be the first time that the Mavericks will host Sioux Falls during their Homecoming weekend.