MANKATO, Minn. --- #16 Minnesota State wraps up its regular season road schedule this Saturday as it travels to #5 Augustana. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 524-406-27 (.561) in 957 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 152-27 (.849) 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 149-39 (.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 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. Augustana: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Augustana marks their 5th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 29-27. In their most recent meeting on Nov. 23, 2024 in Sioux Falls, the Mavericks rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Vikings 20-19 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Grant Guyett caught three passes for 41 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Sam Backer also rushed for 48 yards.

Senior Jamal Spiyee, junior Nathan Drumm and sophomore Cade Stingle each recorded seven tackles, with Drumm also posted 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

For AU, Ryan Kenny rushed for 30 yards, while Isaiah Huber caught eight passes for 89 yards.

TJ Kurray recorded six tackles against the Mavericks, while Gradee Sherman recorded one sack.

Head Coach Todd Hoffner owns a 10-6 record against Augustana.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 7-2 record, including a 6-2 NSIC record. In its last outing, MSU defeated Southwest Minnesota State 48-7.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.8 points and 420.1 yards of offense a game this season, including 216.2 rushing yards and 203.9 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 669 yards and 13 touchdowns, while sophomore Carter Henderson has tallied 419 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore Mitchell Thompson has thrown for 959 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior TreShawn Watson has tallied 732 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 512 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 16.4 points and 347.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 173.8 rushing yards and 173.2 passing yards.

Junior Antoine Johnson has tallied 40 tackles, including two sacks and an interception, while freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 38 tackles and four 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 149-39 (.792) record.

Concerning the Vikings: Augustana enters the weekend the owner of a 9-0 record, including an 8-0 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, AU defeated Northern State 27-14.

As a team, AU is averaging 36.3 points and 430.7 yards of offense a game this season, including 161.8 rushing yards and 268.9 passing yards a game.

Breylon Blount leads the AU rushing attack with 566 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Max Grand has notched 232 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Rich Lucero Jr. has thrown for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Isaiah Huber leads the AU receiving corps with 613 yards and three touchdown catches. Cody Oswald has notched 348 receiving yards and six touchdowns also.

As a unit, the AU defense has allowed 19.3 points and 362.6 yards of offense a game this season, including 145.3 rushing yards and 217.2 passing yards.

Logan Leonard leads the AU defense with 45 tackles and two interceptions. Zachary Richardson has tallied 31 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 2.0 sacks, while Gradee Sherman has tallied 19 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 4.0 sacks.

Augustana is coached by Jerry Olszewski who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Vikings. He owns a 91-45 (.669) record at AU, including a 5-9 record against Minnesota State.

NCAA Super Region Three Rankings: Minnesota State was ranked eighth in the latest 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.