MANKATO, Minn. --- #18 Minnesota State returns to action at home this Saturday as it takes on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 523-406-27 (.561) in 956 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 151-27 (.848) 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 148-39 (.791) 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 148 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. Southwest Minnesota State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 22nd all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 21-0. In their most recent meeting back in 2023, MSU bested the Mustangs 30-12 at Blakeslee Stadium.

Senior Grant Guyett caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown, while senior Brock Galetich recorded an interception. Senior Cayden Lovett notched three tackles also.

For SMSU, Colin Maher caught three passes for 48 yards, while Josiah Hendensten led the Mustang defense with 11 tackles. Gideon Ervasti tallied six tackles also.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns a 13-0 record against the Mustangs, including a 7-0 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-2 record, including a 5-2 NSIC record. In its last outing, MSU fell to Wayne State 35-20 on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 34.2 points and 411.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 201.1 rushing yards and 209.9 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 566 yards and 12 touchdowns, while sophomore Carter Henderson has tallied 343 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore Mitchell Thompson has thrown for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior TreShawn Watson has tallied 732 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 466 yards and a touchdown.

The Maverick defense has allowed 17.6 points and 354.6 yards of total offense a game this season, including 194.5 rushing yards and 160.1 passing yards.

Junior Antoine Johnson has tallied 40 tackles, including two sacks and an interception, while freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 34 tackles and three interceptions. Junior Amaun Williams has notched 33 tackles and two interceptions also.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 148-39 (.791) record.

Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-7 record, including a 1-6 NSIC record. SMSU has lost its last six outings, including a 57-29 home loss to Augustana last weekend.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 15.5 points and 276.1 yards of offense a game this season, including 40.6 rushing yards and 235.5 passing yards a game.

Jacob Honstetter leads the SMSU rushing attack with 198 yards and two touchdowns this season, while Tariq Parker has notched 192 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Macloud Crowton has thrown for 1,813 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Colin Maher leads the SMSU receiving corps with 582 yards and four touchdown catches. Tryg Auten has notched 377 receiving yards and three touchdowns also.

As a unit, the SMSU defense has allowed 44.9 points and 467.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 173.6 rushing yards and 294.0 passing yards.

Josiah Hendensten leads the SMSU defense with 66 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Parker Knutson has tallied 29 tackles and seven interceptions, while Gideon Ervasti has tallied 53 tackles, including 2.0 for a loss and 2.0 sacks.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Scott Underwood who is in his fourth season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 7-34 (.171) record at SMSU, and a 93-86 (.520) career record.

Maverick Football Luncheons: The Minnesota State football team will host its MSU Touchdown Club Luncheon the day before each home game this season, starting on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The Luncheons will be held at the Loose Moose Saloon, at 11:30 a.m. and will feature coach's presentations, along with a Q&A with Maverick student-athletes and video. The Luncheons are open to the public.

NCAA Super Region Three Rankings: Minnesota State appeared in the first edition of the NCAA Super Region Three Rankings.

Super Region Three is made up with teams from the NSIC, GLIAC, GLVC and GMAC conferences. Each conference gets one automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament, while the remaining four spots being awarded on an at-large basis.