MANKATO, Minn. --- #11 Minnesota State continues its season this Saturday on the road as it takes on the Wayne State Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Bob Cunningham Field.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 508-400-27 (.557) in 935 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 140-22 (.864) 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 133-33 (.801) 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 133 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. Wayne State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Wayne State marks their 17th all-time meeting between them, with MSU leading the series with a 14-2 record. The Mavericks have won their last two meeting against the Wildcats, including a  31-14 win at Blakeslee Stadium last season.

Last year, senior Hayden Ekern threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns against the Wildcats, while junior TreShawn Watson caught four passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. 

On defense, senior Khai West recorded two interceptions, while senior Maven Kretche and junior Caleb Paulus each recorded a sack.

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 12-2 record against Wayne State, including a 5-1 record at Bob Cunningham Field.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 2-0 record on the season after defeating Bemidji State 31-29 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium. The Mavericks sit in a tie with Minot State, Sioux Falls and Wayne State atop the NSIC standings with records on 2-0, including 1-0 conference records.

As a team, MSU is averaging 33.5 points and 410.0 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 166.5 rushing yards and 243.5 passing yards a game.

Senior Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 126 rushing yards. Senior Tony Anger has tallied 109 rushing yards and a touchdown also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 78 rushing yards and four touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 487 yards and a touchdown this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 147 yards and three touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has posted 138 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Maverick defense has allowed 25.5 points and 351.5 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 143.0 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 13 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 12 tackles. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with three tackles for a loss and two sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 133-33 (.801) record.

Concerning the Wildcats: Wayne State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 record, including a 1-0 NSIC record, as it defeated MSU Moorhead 44-17 on the road last weekend.

As a team, WSC is averaging 46.5 points and 425.0 yards of total offense a game this season. The Wildcats are averaging 195.0 rushing yards and 230.0 passing yards a game.

Latravious Boyd leads the WSC rushing attack with 190 yards and two touchdowns. Dawson Forgy has notched 144 rushing yards also.

Nick Bohn has thrown for 380 yards and six touchdowns this season. Kendrick Watkins-Hogue leads the Wildcat receivers with 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Keaton Bonderson and Jadon Johnson have each tallied 80 receiving yards and a touchdown also.

As a unit, the Wildcat defense has allowed 17.0 points and 378.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 110.0 rushing yards and 268.0 passing yards.

Alex Kowalczyk leads the WSC defense with 12 tackles, while Dexter Larsen has notched 11 tackles and an interception. James Frank has tallied nine tackles, including two sacks.

Wayne State is coached by Logan Masters who is in his third season as head coach of the Wildcats. He owns a 19-6 record (.760).