MANKATO, Minn. --- Behind its 35-27 road win over UIndy last weekend, #21 Minnesota State has advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament where it will take on #1 Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (CST) at Top Taggart Field.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 527-407-27 (.562) in 961 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 a 20-15 overall record in NCAA postseason play. MSU has defeated Findlay (37-14) and UIndy (35-27) in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks own an 8-7  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 152-40 (.791) 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 152 coaching victories at Minnesota State are the most in program history. Hoffner owns a 16-10 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. Ferris State: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Ferris State marks their second all-time meeting.

In their previous meeting back on Dec. 8, 2018, Ferris State bested Minnesota State 42-25 in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament at Blakeslee Stadium.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 10-3 record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend, the Mavericks defeated Indianapolis 35-27 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, MSU is averaging 35.5 points and 401.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 214.6 rushing yards and 186.8 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 933 yards and 19 touchdowns, while sophomore Mitchell Thompson has tallied 662 yards and nine touchdowns.

Thompson has thrown for 1,553 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior TreShawn Watson has tallied 732 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 640 yards and two touchdowns.

The Maverick defense has allowed 18.5 points and 339.5 yards of total offense a game this season, including 160.2 rushing yards and 179.2 passing yards.

Freshman Jefferson Mobry leads the Maverick defense with 64 tackles and four interceptions, while senior Marcus Hansen has tallied 53 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss and 4.0 sacks. Sophomore Cade Stingle has notched 57 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss as well.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 152-40 (.791) record.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Ferris State enters the weekend the owner of a 13-0 record, including an 8-0 GLIAC record. Last weekend at home, FSU defeated Ashland 56-24 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As a team, FSU is averaging 53.9 points and 518.4 yards of offense a game this season, including 306.4 rushing yards and 212.0 passing yards a game.

Chase Carter leads the FSU rushing attack with 853 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Wyatt Bower has notched 735 rushing yards and 12 touchdown carries.

Bower has thrown for 1,709 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, while Carter has thrown for 797 yards and 12 touchdowns. Carson Gulker leads the Ferris State receiving corps with 474 yards and six touchdowns, while Taariik Brett has tallied 433 yards and seven touchdowns.

As a unit, the FSU defense has allowed 18.4 points and 292.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 123.7 rushing yards and 168.6 passing yards.

Isiah Bobbit-Byars has notched 64 tackles and four interceptions, while Stanley Lambert has posted 42 tackles, including 14.0 for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Justin Payoute has tallied 62 tackles and five interceptions also.

Ferris State is coached by Tony Annese who is in his 13th season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He owns a 150-21 (.877) record.