MANKATO, Minn. --- #14 Minnesota State concludes its regular season schedule this Saturday as it hosts the MSU Moorhead Dragons. 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 525-406-27 (.562) in 958 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 153-27 (.850) 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 150-39 (.792) 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 150 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. MSU Moorhead: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead marks their 41st all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 26-14. The Mavericks have won their last eight meetings with the Dragons, including a 24-19 road win in the most recent meeting back on Oct. 12, 2024.

Senior Grant Guyett caught three passes for 48 yards, while sophomore Sam Backer notched 130 rushing yards. Junior Nathan Drumm notched six tackles for the Mavericks, while senior Abe Hestdalen recorded three tackles, including one sack.

For the Dragons, Jack Strand threw for 331 yards and a touchdown, while Madden Thorson posted 114 receiving yards. Gavin Jarchow tallied 11 tackles, while Ashton Sayre tallied three tackles and a sack.
Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns a 7-0 record against MSU Moorhead, including a 3-0 record at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-2 record, including a 7-2 NSIC record. Last weekend, MSU bested Augustana 45-21 on the road.

As a team, MSU is averaging 36.7 points and 417.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 223.2 rushing yards and 194.3 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 747 yards and 15 touchdowns, while sophomore Carter Henderson has tallied 488 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore Mitchell Thompson has thrown for 1,067 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior TreShawn Watson has tallied 732 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 568 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 16.9 points and 339.1 yards of total offense a game this season, including 166.3 rushing yards and 172.8 passing yards.

Junior Antoine Johnson has tallied 42 tackles, including two sacks and an interception, while freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 44 tackles and four interceptions. Junior Amaun Williams has notched 34 tackles and two interceptions also.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 150-39 (.793) record.

Concerning the Dragons: MSU Moorhead enters the weekend the owner of a 7-3 record, including a 6-3 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, the Dragons defeated Jamestown 44-20.

As a team, MSU Moorhead is averaging 39.0 points and 453.2 yards of offense a game this season, including 111.4 rushing yards and 341.8 passing yards a game.

Tyson Brandt leads the MSUM rushing attack with 564 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Owen Wiersma has notched 231 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Jack Strand has thrown for 3,306 yards and 39 touchdowns this season. Gage Florence leads the MSUM receiving corps with 891 yards and 11 touchdown catches. Brady Perryman has notched 848 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns also.

As a unit, the MSUM defense has allowed 27.8 points and 383.8 yards of offense a game this season, including 196.8 rushing yards and 187.0 passing yards.

Tate Gustafson leads the MSUM defense with 85 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss. Mitchell Jezierski has tallied 83 tackles, including 5.0 for a loss, while McKale Pierson has tallied 54 tackles and four interceptions.

MSU Moorhead is coached by Steve Laqua who is in his 14th season as head coach of the Dragons. He owns a 72-82 (.468) career record.