MANKATO, Minn. --- #18 Minnesota State wraps up its regular season schedule on the road this weekend as it takes on the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at James S. Malosky Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 514-402-27 (.559) in 943 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 146-24 (.858) 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 139-35 (.798) 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 139 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. Minnesota Duluth: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 43rd meeting between them, with UMD leading the all-time series 22-19-1. UMD defeated the Mavericks 33-21 in their most recent meeting at Blakeslee Stadium last season.

Senior Hayden Ekern threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, to go along with 61 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Junior TreShawn Watson caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, seniors Antonio Alzheimer and Joey Goettl each notched five tackles.

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 4-4 record against Minnesota Duluth, including a 1-2 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-2 overall record, including a 7-2 NSIC record. Last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium, MSU defeated UMary 49-21. The Mavericks are in second place in the NSIC standings.

As a team, MSU is averaging 32.4 points and 422.8 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 189.1 rushing yards and 233.7 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 678 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 363 rushing yards and five touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 342 rushing yards and 11 touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 2,288 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 574 yards and seven touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has notched 409 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.3 points and 346.0 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 136.7 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 80 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 40 tackles and an two interceptions. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 12.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 139-35 (.798) record.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend the owner of a 6-4 overall record, including a 5-4 NSIC record. The Bulldogs have won their last three games, including a 35-7 win over Concordia-St. Paul on the road last weekend.

As a team, UMD is averaging 34.7 points and 445.2 yards of total offense a game this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 215.1 rushing yards and 230.1 passing yards a game.

Kyle Walljasper leads the UMD rushing attack with 729 yards and eight touchdowns. Alex Riley has tallied 369 rushing yards and five touchdowns also.

Walljasper has thrown for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. DaShaun Ames has notched 712 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches, while Jimmy Durocher has posted 457 yards and three touchdown catches.

As a unit, the UMD defense has allowed 18.8 points and 254.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 80.1 rushing yards and 173.9 passing yards.

Andrew Klopp leads the UMD defense with 45 tackles, while Drew Hennessey has tallied 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Jarrett Bennett has tallied 43 tackles and two interceptions also.

UMD is coached by Curt Wiese who is in his 11th season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He owns a 103-27 record at UMD.

NCAA Regional Rankings: Minnesota State was ranked third in the latest edition of the NCAA Regional Rankings. The NCAA Selection Show is set for Nov. 17, at 5 p.m.