MANKATO, Minn. --- #7 Minnesota State continues its season on the road this Saturday as it heads to travels to the Twin Cities to take on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Sea Foam Stadium.

Our History: The 2024 season marks the school's 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 510-400-27 (.558) in 937 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 142-22 (.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 135-33 (.803) 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 135 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. Concordia-St. Paul: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 18th all-time meeting between them, with the Mavericks leading the series with a 15-2 record. Minnesota State has won its last 12 meetings against the Golden Bears, including a 42-10 win at Blakeslee Stadium last season.

Last year, senior Hayden Ekern completed eight passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Christian Vasser notched 39 rushing yards. Junior TreShawn Watson caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, while senior Anthony Valainis caught a nine-yard touchdown pass.

On defense, MSU held CSP scoreless in the second half as the Mavericks allowed 275 total yards of offense. Junior Colton Hoffman tallied six tackles while senior Antonio Alzheimer and senior Joey Goettl each posted five tackles. 

Head coach Todd Hoffner owns a 12-1 record against Concordia-St. Paul, including a 6-0 record on the road.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State sits atop the NSIC standings with a 4-0 overall record, including a 3-0 NSIC record. MSU and Augustana and the two remaining teams in the NSIC standings without a conference loss. Last weekend, the Mavericks bested Minot State 40-6 at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.5 points and 477.3 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 217.8 rushing yards and 259.5 passing yards a game.

Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 313 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior Tony Anger has tallied 183 rushing yards and two touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 152 rushing yards and five touchdown carries.

Ekern has thrown for 991 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 393 yards and six touchdowns, while junior Jeremiah Howard has notched 167 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Maverick defense has allowed 21.3 points and 304.0 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 151.5 rushing yards a game this season.

Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 27 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 19 tackles and an interception. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 5.0 tackles for a loss and 3.0 sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner is in his 14th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 135-33 (.803) record.

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia- St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-2 record, including a 1-1 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, CSP defeated Southwest Minnesota State 27-17.

As a team, CSP is averaging 16.0 points and 281.3 yards of total offense a game this season. The Golden Bears are averaging 162.7 rushing yards and 118.7 passing yards a game.

Jayln Richardson leads the CSP rushing attack with 306 yards and two touchdown carries, while Daniel Hornacek has tallied 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Reed Styer has thrown for 265 yards and a touchdown this season. Drew Enke leads the CSP receiving corps with 142 yards and a touchdown catch. Troy Ellison has notched 51 receiving yards also.

As a unit, the Golden Bear defense has allowed 27.0 points and 346.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 144.7 rushing yards and 201.3 passing yards.

Richard Wauer leads the CSP defense with 25 tackles, while Cyrus McClure has tallied 19 tackles. Brayden Hilgemann has posted 15 tackles and an interception also.

Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Shannon Currier who is in his 13th season as head coach of the Golden Bears. He owns a 53-71 (.424) record at CSP.