MANKATO, Minn. --- #21 Minnesota State continues its season this Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament as it travels to Indianapolis to take on the #8 UIndy Greyhounds. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (CST) at Key Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 526-407-27 (.561) in 960 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 19-15 overall record in NCAA postseason play. Last week in the first round, Minnesota State defeated Findlay 37-14 on the road. The Mavericks own a 7-7  road record in NCAA Tournament games.

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 151-40 (.790) 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 151 coaching victories at Minnesota State are the most in program history. Hoffner owns a 15-10 record in NCAA Tournament games.

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. Indianapolis: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Indianapolis will be their first meeting between them.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 9-3 record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks bested Findlay 37-14 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.6 points and 403.9 yards of offense a game this season, including 214.8 rushing yards and 189.2 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 817 yards and 17 touchdowns, while sophomore Mitchell Thompson has tallied 623 yards and eight touchdowns.

Thompson has thrown for 1,394 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior TreShawn Watson has tallied 732 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 621 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 17.8 points and 335.1 yards of total offense a game this season, including 158.5 rushing yards and 176.6 passing yards.

Junior Antoine Johnson has tallied 46 tackles, including two sacks and an interception, while freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 59 tackles and four interceptions. Junior Nathan Drumm has tallied 49 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 151-40 (.790) record.

Concerning the Greyhounds: Indianapolis enters the weekend the owner of an 11-1 record, including a 57-14 win over Truman State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend.

As a team, UIndy is averaging 47.6 points and 509.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 186.2 rushing yards and 323.2 passing yards a game.

Garrett Sherrell leads the UIndy rushing attack with 728 yards and eight touchdowns, while Juseters Fataki has notched 660 rushing yards and 13 touchdown carries.

Gavin Sukup has thrown for 3,484 yards and 38 touchdowns this season. Alonzo Derrick leads the UIndy receiving corps with 750 yards and seven touchdowns, while Sherrell has tallied 519 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

As a unit, the UIndy defense has allowed 18.3 points and 327.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 99.8 rushing yards and 227.8 passing yards.

Jalen Wilson has notched 90 tackles, including 5.0 for a loss, while Danny Royster has tallied 33 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss and 7.5 sacks. Eli Liapis has tallied 75 tackles and three interceptions also.

Indianapolis is coached by Chris Keevers who is in his seventh season as head coach of the Greyhounds. He owns a 58-13 (.817) career record.