MANKATO, Minn. --- #13 Minnesota State returns to action this Saturday to square off with #25 Augustana for a battle atop the NSIC standings. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 512-401-27 (.559) in 940 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 144-23 (.862) 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 137-34 (.801) 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 137 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. Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 55th all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 28-26 record. MSU and AU met twice last season, including a 51-24 loss to the Vikings in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Last year, senior Hayden Ekern completed 26 passes for 261 yards two touchdowns. Ekern also rushed for 45 yards. Junior TreShawn Watson caught eight passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Jeremiah Howard caught seven passes for 84 yards.

On defense, senior Maven Kretche tallied five tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and a sack.
Senior Joey Goettl notched five tackles also, while senior Khai West posted four.

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 9-5 record against Augustana, including a 5-1 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State sits in a three-way tie atop the NSIC standings with a 5-1 NSIC record along with Augustana and Wayne State. MSU improved to 6-1 overall after defeating MSU Moorhead 24-19 in its most recent outing back on Oct. 12.

As a team, MSU is averaging 33.6 points and 452.1 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 210.1 rushing yards and 242.0 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 492 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 279 rushing yards and eight touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 1,645 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 432 yards and six touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has notched 358 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.4 points and 352.7 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 146.4 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 54 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 25 tackles and an two interceptions. 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 137-34 (.801) record.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 5-2 overall record, including a 5-1 NSIC record. AU has won its last three games, including a 31-0 shutout of Winona State last weekend.

As a team, AU is averaging 28.4 points and 373.9 yards of total offense a game this season. The Vikings are averaging 135.7 rushing yards and 238.1 passing yards a game.

Jarod Epperson leads the Viking rushing attack with 489 yards and four touchdowns, while Gunnar Hensley has notched 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Hensley has thrown for 1,440 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Jack Fisher has caught 27 passes for 489 yards and five touchdowns. Isaiah Huber has tallied 380 receiving yards and four touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the Viking defense has allowed 16.9 points and 319.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 102.6 rushing yards and 216.4 passing yards.

Haden Wallace leads the AU defense with 57 tackles and 6.0 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Will Davis has notched 18 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 4.5 sacks, while Logan Leonard has tallied 32 tackles and three interceptions.

Augustana is coached by Jerry Olszewski who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Vikings. He owns a 111-61 (.645) record at AU.