MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State opens its 2024 campaign on the road as it travels to Maryville, Mo., for a nonconference game against Northwest Missouri State on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 506-400-27 (.556) in 933 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 139-22 (.863) 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 131-33 (.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 131 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. Northwest Missouri State: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Northwest Missouri State marks their 18th all-time meeting. The Mavericks lead the series 9-8, including a 38-35 double overtime win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Blakeslee Stadium in their most recent encounter back in 2012.

The Mavericks own a 3-5 record against the Bearcats in Maryville. NWMSU has won the last four encounters in Maryville against MSU (1996, 2001, 2003 & 2006). The last time the Mavericks defeated the Bearcats on the road came during the 1994 season when MSU bested Northwest Missouri 45-7.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2023 season with a 9-3 record, including an 8-2 NSIC record. The Mavericks finished in a tie for second in the NSIC standings and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, MSU averaged 34.1 points and 439.5 yards of offense a game last season. The Mavericks posted 212.3 rushing yards and 227.2 passing yards a game last season and allowed just 11 quarterback sacks.

Senior Christian Vasser notched 421 rushing yards and two touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern posted 330 rushing yards and five touchdown carries.

Ekern threw for 2,654 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Junior TreShawn Watson led the Maverick receiving corps with 582 yards and six touchdowns, while junior Isaiah Emanuel tallied 516 receiving yards and two touchdown catches.

The Maverick defense allowed 25.0 points and 358.4 yards a game last season. MSU also recorded 28 sacks and held opposing teams to a 56-of-155 (36.1%) showing on third down.

Senior Joey Goettl recorded 47 tackles, while senior Khai West notched 38 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions. Senior Maven Kretche led the team in tackles for loss (13.0) and sacks (10.5) as well.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 131-33 (.789) record.

Concerning the Bearcats: Northwest Missouri State finished its 2023 season with a 7-4 record, including a 6-4 MIAA record. The Bearcats finished the 2023 season tied for fifth in the MIAA standings.

As a team, NWMSU has tallied 34.1 points and 424.9 yards of offense a game last season. The Bearcats averaged 194.2 rushing yards and 230.7 passing yards a game last season.

Tank Young tallied 389 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Wentric Williams III recorded 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season.

Chris Ruhnke threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns last season, while Colby Furia threw for 1,876 yards and 12 touchdowns as a member of Chabot College last season. John Giagiari caught 19 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, while Tank Young notched 261 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

As a unit, the NWMSU defense allowed 20.5 points and 302.5 yards of total offense a game last season, including 58.0 rushing yards and 244.5 passing yards a game.

Shane Fredrickson led the team in tackles with 50, while Jake Fisher tallied 12.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks. Clayton Powder recorded 47 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss as well.

Northwest Missouri State is coached by Rich Wright who is in his seventh season with the Bearcats. He owns a 59-17 (.776) record.