MANKATO, Minn. --- Behind its 8-3 regular season record, Minnesota State has advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament where the Mavericks will take on Augustana on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 514-403-27 (.558) in 944 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 146-25 (.853) 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 are making their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season. 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 139-36 (.796) record, including seven NSIC Championships and 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

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 2019.

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. Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 56th meeting between them, with MSU leading the all-time series 28-27. The Vikings have won the last three meetings between them, including a 34-16 win at Blakeslee Stadium earlier this season.

Senior Hayden Ekern threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Grant Guyett caught six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown, while senior Gabe Hagen caught five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, senior Antonio Alzheimer notched nine tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, while senior Micah Brown tallied five tackles, including 2.0 for a loss. Senior Joey Goettl recorded an interception in the red zone that he returned 49 yards also.

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 9-6 record against Augustana, including a 4-4 record on the road.

For Augustana Gunnar Hensley threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while Jarod Epperson notched 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jack Fisher caught six passes for 108 receiving yards also.

On defense, Kade Lynott and Isaiah Ryan each recorded an interception, while Haden Wallace led the team in tackles with 10.

Augustana head coach Jerry Olszewski owns a 4-8 record against the Mavericks, including a 2-4 record in Sioux Falls.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-3 overall record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, MSU fell to Minnesota Duluth 30-16.

As a team, MSU is averaging 30.9 points and 403.8 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 174.5 rushing yards and 229.3 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 712 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 380 rushing yards and five touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 341 rushing yards and 11 touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 2,473 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 606 yards and seven touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has notched 430 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.9 points and 348.8 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 142.5 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 89 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 43 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 139-36 (.796) record.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of an 8-3 overall record, including an 8-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Vikings fell to Bemidji State 17-10 on the road.

As a team, AU is averaging 27.1 points and 374.8 yards of total offense a game this season. The Vikings are averaging 149.0 rushing yards and 225.8 passing yards a game this season.

Jarod Epperson leads the AU rushing attack with 976 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gunnar Hensley has tallied 184 rushing yards and two touchdown carries.

Hensley has thrown for 2,257 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Jack Fisher has notched 712 receiving yards and five touchdown catches, while Isaiah Huber has posted 518 yards and six touchdown catches.

As a unit, the AU defense has allowed 16.3 points and 316.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 107.3 rushing yards and 209.6 passing yards.

Kade Lynott leads the AU defense with 90 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks. Haden Wallace has tallied 88 tackles, including 8.0 tackles for a loss and two interceptions. Logan Leonard has posted 47 tackles and four interceptions also.

Augustana is coached by Jerry Olszewski who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Vikings. He owns a 114-62 (.648) career record, including an 82-44 (.651) record at AU