MANKATO, Minn. --- #8 Minnesota State returns home this weekend as it hosts Minot State this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 509-400-27 (.558) in 936 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 141-22 (.865) 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 134-33 (.802) 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 134 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. Minot State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their seventh all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 6-0 record. The Mavericks defeated the Beavers 52-25 on the road in their most recent encounter during the 2023 season.

Last year, senior Hayden Ekern threw for 235 passing yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Sam Backer notched 61 rushing yards, while junior Isaiah Emanuel caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, senior Khai West recorded three tackles and a sack, while senior Cody Brown posted two tackles for a loss and a sack. 

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 5-0 record against Minot State, including a 2-0 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns a 3-0 record on the season after besting Wayne State 35-28 on the road last weekend. The Mavericks sit in a tie with Minot State and Sioux Falls atop the NSIC standings with 3-0 records, including 2-0 NSIC records.

As a team, MSU is averaging 34.0 points and 468.7 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 222.3 rushing yards and 246.3 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 285 rushing yards and a touchdown. Senior Tony Anger has tallied 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 144 rushing yards and five touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 739 yards and a touchdown this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 249 yards and four touchdowns, while senior Gabe Hagen has posted 147 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Maverick defense has allowed 26.3 points and 328.0 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 138.0 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 18 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 14 tackles and an interception. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 134-33 (.802) record.

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 3-0 record, including a 2-0 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, the Beavers defeated Northern State 17-14.

As a team, Minot is averaging 32.3 points and 312.7 yards of total offense a game this season. The Beavers are averaging 271.3 rushing yards and 41.3 passing yards a game.

Evan Lovett leads the MISU rushing attack with 299 yards and two touchdowns. Carson Chrisman has tallied 170 rushing yards and four touchdowns also

Chrisman has thrown for 124 yards this season. Aiden George leads the Beavers with 32 receiving yards, while Jonathan Noriega and Erik Palmquist have notched 31 receiving yards.

As a unit, the Beaver defense has allowed 10.0 points and 289.7 yards of total offense a game this season, including 158.7 rushing yards and 131.0 passing yards.

Cody Raetzman leads the Beaver defense with 14 tackles, while Nalu Cordeiro has posted 10 tackles and three interceptions. Julian Kameristy has notched four tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks as well.

Minot State is coached by Ian Shields who is in his second season as head coach of the Beavers. He owns a 4-10 record (.285).