MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State 2024 football season will feature 11 games, including five games at Blakeslee Stadium.
Minnesota State will utilize the recently approved Week 0 football scheduling opportunity to kick the season off with a traditional national contender on Thursday, August 29, as it travels to Northwest Missouri State for a nonconference encounter at 6:00 p.m. in the "Show Me State Showdown." This will be the 18th time that the Mavericks and Bearcats have faced each other, with MSU winning the most recent meeting, a 38-35 in double overtime thriller during the second round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2012 season. The Mavericks own a 9-8 all-time record against the Bearcats.
Minnesota State opens its home and NSIC slate under the lights on Saturday, September 7, with a 6:00 p.m. game vs. Bemidji State. The Mavericks defeated the Beavers in Bemidji 27-24 last season, as both teams went on to qualify for the NCAA Division II playoffs. MSU then follows up with a road game at Wayne State on Saturday, September 14, with kickoff time still pending
The Mavericks then return home on September 21 as they host Minot State at 12:00 p.m. Following the game, the third annual "Bend of the River" concert will take place on the football practice fields, featuring artist talent soon to be announced.
MSU finishes the month of September on the road for game five of the season at it travels to Concordia-St. Paul on September 28.
The first week of October will feature Minnesota State's annual Homecoming game as it plays host to Sioux Falls on October 5, at 2:00 p.m. This will mark the first time that the Mavericks have hosted the Cougars for Homecoming. MSU has won its last 11 Homecoming games, which is tied for the longest Homecoming winning streak in team history with the previous 11-game Homecoming winning streak taking place from 1966-78.
October 12 will see the Mavericks hit the road to take on MSU Moorhead with kickoff to be determined. Minnesota State will then have a bye in week #7, before returning to Blakeslee Stadium for Family Weekend on October 26, as it plays host to Augustana in a rematch of the first round of the NCAA Tournament from last season. Kickoff between the Mavericks and the Vikings is set for 1:00 p.m.
November 2 will see the Mavericks head to Aberdeen, S.D., to take on Northern State, before they return to Blakeslee Stadium for their regular season home finale against the University of Mary on November 9. Kickoff for Senior Day against the Marauders is set for 12:00 p.m.
The Mavericks conclude their regular season schedule on the road on November 16 as they travel to Minnesota-Duluth. Kickoff between the Mavericks and Bulldogs is to be determined.
The first round of the NCAA Tournament is scheduled for November 23.
Minnesota State Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman commented on the 2024 schedule. "I am really excited about next season. We were able to utilize the recently passed NCAA legislation to schedule a terrific non-conference opponent in Northwest Missouri for Week 0. There is some great history between these teams."
"This will be a nice test for our players and will provide our fans a chance to see how we stack up outside the NSIC. The schedule will also offer a mid-season opportunity for rest and recovery with the bye week, which is an important consideration for our coaches and student-athletes."
"It's also a very attractive home schedule that includes two NCAA Division II playoff teams and an intriguing Homecoming match-up. Combining our traditional game day experience with the Bend of the River concert is also very appealing. That should be a great day for our community."
2024 Minnesota State Football Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Time |
| 0 |
Aug. 29 |
at Northwest Missouri State |
6:00 p.m. |
| 1 |
Sept. 7 |
Bemidji State* |
6:00 p.m. |
| 2 |
Sept. 14 |
at Wayne State* |
TBA |
| 3 |
Sept. 21 |
Minot State* |
12:00 p.m. |
| 4 |
Sept. 28 |
at Concordia-St. Paul* |
TBA |
| 5 |
Oct. 5 |
Sioux Falls*# |
2:00 p.m. |
| 6 |
Oct. 12 |
at MSU Moorhead* |
TBA |
| 7 |
Oct. 19 |
Bye Week |
- |
| 8 |
Oct. 26 |
Augustana* |
1:00 p.m. |
| 9 |
Nov. 2 |
at Northern State* |
TBA |
| 10 |
Nov. 9 |
University of Mary* |
12:00 p.m. |
| 11 |
Nov. 16 |
at Minnesota Duluth* |
TBA |
| 12 |
Nov. 23 |
NCAA Tournament |
TBA |
BOLD indicates Home games
* indicates NSIC games
# indicates Homecoming games
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