MANKATO, Minn. --- #15 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Saturday as it takes on the MSU Moorhead Dragons. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Nemzek Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 511-401-27 (.558) in 939 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 143-23 (.861) 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 136-34 (.800) 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. MSU Moorhead: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their 30th all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 25-14 record. The Mavericks have won their last seven meetings with the Dragons, including a 24-21 win last season at Blakeslee Stadium.

Last year, senior Hayden Ekern completed 21 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown. Ekern also rushed for 52 yards, while senior Tony Anger notched two rushing touchdowns. Junior Grant Guyett caught six passes for 94 yards.

On defense, the Mavericks held the Dragons to -30 rushing yards. Senior Khai West led the defense with eight tackles and two broken up passes. Senior Maven Kretche recorded two sacks as well.

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 6-0 record against MSU Moorhead, including a 3-0 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State sits atop the NSIC standings with a 5-1 overall record, including a 4-1 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks fell to Sioux Falls 40-36 at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.2 points and 460.7 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 206.3 rushing yards and 254.3 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 362 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 277 rushing yards and four touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 220 rushing yards and six touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 1,477 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 423 yards and six touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has notched 348 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 24.2 points and 346.2 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 162.0 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 48 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 24 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 136-34 (.800) record.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the weekend the owner of a 2-3 record, including a 2-2 NSIC record. The Dragons fell to Winona State 33-6 on the road last weekend.

As a team, MSUM is averaging 22.2 points and 366.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Dragons are averaging 20.2 rushing yards and 345.8 passing yards a game.

Dylan Fynn Ridgeway leads the Dragon rushing attack with 48 yards.

Jack Strand has thrown for 1,717 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Gage Florence has caught 48 passes for 444 yards. Brady Perryman has tallied 353 receiving yards and five touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the Dragon defense has allowed 33.8 points and 432.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 174.6 rushing yards and 258.2 passing yards.

Josiah Behm leads the MSUM defense with 35 tackles and 5.0 tackles for a loss. Cody Sorenson has notched 23 tackles and two interceptions, while Jarchow Gavin has tallied 35 tackles and has broken up four passes.

MSU Moorhead is coached by Steve Laqua who is in his 14th season as head coach of the Dragons. He owns a 61-77 (.442) record.