MANKATO, Minn. --- Behind its 8-3 regular season record, Minnesota State has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. The Mavericks will travel to Findlay, Ohio, to take on the Findlay Oilers on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (CST) at Donnell Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 525-407-27 (.561) in 959 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 153-28 (.845) 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 are making their 16th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season.. 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 150-40 (.789) record, including seven NSIC Championships and 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. 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. Findlay: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Findlay will be their first meeting between them.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 8-3 record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks fell to MSU Moorhead 31-23.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.5 points and 406.8 yards of offense a game this season, including 221.6 rushing yards and 185.2 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 789 yards and 16 touchdowns, while sophomore Mitchell Thompson has tallied 600 yards and seven touchdowns.

Thompson has thrown for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior TreShawn Watson has tallied 732 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 602 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 18.2 points and 344.9 yards of total offense a game this season, including 166.0 rushing yards and 178.9 passing yards.

Junior Antoine Johnson has tallied 43 tackles, including two sacks and an interception, while freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 52 tackles and four interceptions. Junior Nathan Drumm has tallied 44 tackles, including 4.0 for a loss and 3.0 sacks.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 150-40 (.789) record.

Concerning the Oilers: Findlay enters the weekend the owner of a 10-1 record, including an 8-1 GMAC record. Last weekend at home, the Oilers fell to Tiffin 23-21.

As a team, Findlay is averaging 25.7 points and 344.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 161.5 rushing yards and 182.8 passing yards a game.

Jayden Farmer leads the UF rushing attack with 802 yards and a touchdown, while Christian Davis has tallied 391 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Chase Harrison has thrown for 1,180 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Denny Furlong leads the UF receiving corps with 737 yards and eight touchdown catches, while Brennan Remy has tallied 311 yards and a touchdown.

As a unit, the UF defense has allowed 12.2 points and 249.7 yards of offense a game this season, including 57.4 rushing yards and 192.3 passing yards.

Sam Weihrauch leads the UF defense with 73 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Kevin Henderson has tallied 67 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss and 3.0 sacks, while Jayon Harvey has tallied 46 tackles and three interceptions.

Findlay is coached by Kory Allen who is in his fourth season as head coach of the Oilers. He owns a 33-11 (.750) career record.