MANKATO, Minn. --- #15 Minnesota State hits the road this Saturday as it travels to St. Paul, Minn., to take on the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Sea Foam Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 521-405-27 (.560) in 953 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 149-26 (.851) 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 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season as they advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. MSU owns an 18-15 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

MSU's trip to the NCAA Tournament semifinals last season marked the fifth time in team history that the Mavericks reached the semifinals as they fell to Valdosta State 35-21. MSU previously reached the semifinals in 2012 (L, 35-19 vs. Valdosta State), 2014 (W, 47-13 vs. Concord), 2018 (L, 42-25 vs. Ferris State) and 2019 (W, 58-15 at Slippery Rock).

Minnesota State's three playoff wins last season marked the third time that MSU won three NCAA Tournament games in the same season. The Mavericks won three NCAA Tournament games in 2014 and 2019 when they advanced to the NCAA Championship game.

Grabbing the Reins: The 2025 season marks the 15th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 15 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 146-38 (.793) record, including seven NSIC Championships and 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Hoffner's 146 coaching victories at Minnesota State are the most in program history.

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 2019.

Series vs. Concordia-St. Paul: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul marks their 19th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 16-2. The Mavericks have won their last 13 meetings against the Golden Bears, including a 33-20 win on the road last season.

Sophomore Sam Backer rushed for 33 yards, while senior Grant Guyett caught three passes for 48 yards. On defense sophomore Cade Stingle recorded seven tackles, while senior Edmund Ocansey recorded two tackles and broke up two passes.

For CSP, Jackson Compton completed 15 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 32 yards. Carter Ryan caught two passes for 18 yards and a touchdown also. On defense, Ben Rehl recorded seven tackles, while Machai Campbell tallied four tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 4-1 record, including a 3-1 NSIC record, after defeating Sioux Falls 38-12 at home last weekend. 

As a team, MSU is averaging 32.0 points and 436.8 yards of offense a game this season, including 196.0 rushing yards and 240.8 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 343 yards and seven touchdowns, while freshman Maximus Sims has tallied 256 yards and three touchdowns.

Sims has thrown for 779 yards and four touchdowns this season. Senior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 616 yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 308 receiving yards.

The Maverick defense has allowed 13.2 points and 337.8 yards of total offense a game this season, including 184.4 rushing yards and 153.4 passing yards.

Junior Nathan Drumm has tallied 24 tackles, including one for a loss, while freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 24 tackles and two interceptions. Junior Amaun Williams has notched 20 tackles and two interceptions also.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 146-38 (.793) record, including a 13-1 record against Concordia-St. Paul.

Concerning the Golden Bears: Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend the owner of a 1-4 record, including a 1-3 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, CSP fell to Jamestown 27-22.

As a team, Concordia-St. Paul is averaging 14.6 points and 298.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 86.4 rushing yards and 211.6 passing yards a game.

Daniel Hornacek leads the CSP rushing attack with 155 yards, while Parkees Harris has notched 79 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Lincoln Graf has thrown for 671 yards and five touchdowns this season. Timothy Davis leads CSP receivers with 341 yards and two touchdowns, while Troy Ellison has tallied 206 yards and two touchdowns.

As a unit, the Concordia-St. Paul defense has allowed 35.6 points and 414.8 yards of offense a game this season, including 205.6 rushing yards and 209.2 passing yards.

Mike King leads the CSP defense with 41 tackles, including 4.0 for a loss. Ben Rehl has recorded 33 tackles and an interception, while Melikai Red has notched 12 tackles, including 2.0 sacks

Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Shannon Currier who is in his 13th season as head coach of the Golden Bears. He owns a 55-82 (.401) record at CSP, and a 75-117 (.391) career record. He owns a 0-9 record against Minnesota State.