MANKATO, Minn. --- #22 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Saturday as it travels to Aberdeen, S.D. to square off with the Northern State Wolves. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Dacotah Bank Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 512-402-27 (.558) in 941 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 144-24 (.857) 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 137-35 (.796) 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. Northern State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Northern State marks their 13th meeting between them, with MSU leading the all-time series 10-2. In their last meeting during the 2022 season, the Wolves defeated the Mavericks 23-22 in Aberdeen, S.D.

Senior Gabe Hagen caught two passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, while senior Christian Vasser rushed for 20 yards.

On defense, junior Terrell Hall notched six tackles and broke up four passes, while senior Maven Kretche tallied four tackles, including one for a loss.

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 6-1 record against Northern State, including a 3-1 record in Aberdeen.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-2 overall record, including a 5-2 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, MSU fell to Augustana 34-16 at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU is averaging 31.3 points and 431.8 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 186.5 rushing yards and 245.2 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 513 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 312 rushing yards and four touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 297 rushing yards and eight touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 1,913 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 484 yards and six touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has notched 409 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 24.7 points and 358.4 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 145.0 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 63 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 32 tackles and an two interceptions. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 6.5 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 137-35 (.796) record.

Concerning the Wolves: Northern State enters the weekend the owner of a 5-4 overall record, including a 5-3 NSIC record. NSU has won its last five games, including a 35-34 win over Concordia-St. Paul on the road last weekend.

As a team, NSU is averaging 19.7 points and 292.6 yards of total offense a game this season. The Wolves are averaging 168.8 rushing yards and 123.7 passing yards a game.

Tanner Branson leads the NSU rushing attack with 255 yards and two touchdowns, while Ty Wiley has notched 249 yards and three touchdowns.

Daniel Britt has thrown for 837 yards and five touchdowns this season. Branson has caught 21 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Wiley has tallied 249 receiving yards and three touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the NSU defense has allowed 26.2 points and 315.9 yards of total offense a game this season, including 163.1 rushing yards and 157.8 passing yards.

Jake Adams leads the NSU defense with 116 tackles and 6.0 tackles. Max Van Landingham has notched 23 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 6.0 sacks, while Kegan Mountain has tallied 30 tackles and four interceptions.

Northern State is coached by Mike Schmidt who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Wolves. He owns a 23-19 (.548) record at NSU.

NCAA Regional Rankings: Minnesota State appeared in the first edition of the NCAA Super Region Four Rankings. The NCAA Selection Show is set for Nov. 17, at 5 p.m.