MANKATO, Minn. --- With Minnesota State's climactic 26-23 win over CSU Pueblo last weekend, the Mavericks have advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament where they will host the Bemidji State Beavers on Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:02 p.m.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 516-403-27 (.559) in 946 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 17-14 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

MSU's two playoff wins vs. Augustana (20-19) and CSU Pueblo (26-23) mark sixth time in team history that the Mavericks have won at least two playoff games in a season. MSU previously accomplished this during the 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons.

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 141-36 (.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 141 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. Bemidji State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Bemidji State marks their 53rd meeting between them, with MSU leading the all-time series 35-15-2. MSU has won its last five meetings vs. BSU, including a 31-29 win at Blakeslee Stadium earlier this season. In total, the Mavericks own an 18-6-2 record in games played in Mankato, including a 9-4 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

In their meeting back on Sept. 7, senior Hayden Ekern threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Tony Anger rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown also, while junior TreShawn Watson caught five passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Matthew Jaeger connected on the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Junior Karson Dunn led the Maverick defense with nine tackles, including 2.0 for a loss and a sack. Senior Antonio Alzheimer notched eight tackles as well.

For BSU, Sam McGath threw for 149 yards and three touchdowns. McGath rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown also, while Jayden Washington tallied 84 rushing yards. Brice Peters caught seven passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

Colton Hinrichs led the BSU defense with 12 tackles, including one sack, while Caden Bolte recorded seven tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-3 overall record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, MSU again rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat CSU Pueblo 26-23 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, MSU is averaging 29.7 points and 391.3 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 167.5 rushing yards and 223.7 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 829 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 436 rushing yards and five touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 421 rushing yards and 12 touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 2,860 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 708 yards and eight touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has notched 533 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 23.5 points and 350.2 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 134.7 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 97 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 59 tackles and an two interceptions. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 13.5 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 141-36 (.796) record. Hoffner own an 8-1 record against Bemidji State, including a 3-1 record at Blakeslee Stadium

Concerning the Beavers: Bemidji State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-3 overall record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. BSU has won its last five games, including a 20-19 win over Western Colorado in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend.

As a team, BSU is averaging 25.7 points and 359.5 yards of total offense a game this season. The Beavers are averaging 175.8 rushing yards and 183.6 passing yards a game this season.

Jayden Washington leads the BSU rushing attack with 757 yards and four touchdowns. Sam McGath has tallied 477 yards and eighth touchdowns also.

McGath has thrown for 2,347 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. Brice Peters leads the Beaver receiving corps with 1,098 yards and 13 touchdowns. Drayton Lehman has tallied 552 receiving yards and three touchdown catches also.

As a unit, the Bemidji State defense has allowed 15.8 points and 247.3 yards of total offense a game this season, including 88.7 rushing yards and 158.6 passing yards.

Colton Hinrichs leads the Beaver defense with 79 tackles, while Marcus Hansen has tallied 14.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. Stephen Hoffman has tallied 8.5 sacks, while Isaiah Johnson has recorded three interceptions.

Bemidji State is coached by Brent Bolte who is in his ninth season as head coach of the Beavers. He owns a 71-25 (.740) overall record and a 1-5 (.166) record vs. Minnesota State.