MANKATO, Minn. --- #11 Minnesota State opens its 2025 season at home Thursday evening as the Mavericks take on the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 517-404-27 (.559) in 948 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 146-25 (.853) 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 2024 season marks the 14th season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his 14 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 142-37 (.793) 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 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.

Hoffner's 142 coaching victories at Minnesota State are the most in program history. Hoffner passed Dan Runkle's record of 108 career coaching victories after MSU's 68-10 win over Minot State on Sept. 25, 2021.

Series vs. Northwest Missouri State: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Northwest Missouri State marks their 18th all-time meeting between them. MSU owns a 10-8 all-time record against the Bearcats, including a 38-22 win last season in Maryville, Mo.

Sophomore Sam Backer rushed for 104 yards, while seniors TreShawn Watson and Grant Guyett recorded 40 and 35 receiving yards, respectively. On defense, senior Caleb Paulus recorded 2.0 tackles for a loss and forced a fumble, while senior Abe Hestdalen recorded two tackles also.

Chris Ruhnke completed 15 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns last season, while Jadon Brady rushed for 13 yards. Luke Matthews led the Bearcat receivers with 140 yards and a touchdown.

Shane Fredrickson led NWMSU with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Carter Edwards tallied seven tackles, including 1.0 for a loss.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State finished its 2024 season with an 11-4 record as it advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks defeated Augustana (20-19), CSU Pueblo (26-23) and Bemidji State (27-23) in the first three rounds, before falling to Valdosta State (35-21) in the semifinals

As a team, MSU averaged 28.9 points and 385.6 yards of offense a game last season. The Mavericks averaged 172.8 rushing yards and 212.8 passing yards a game.

Sophomore Sam Backer led the Maverick rushing attack with 1,017 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while sophomore Mitchell Thompson tallied 136 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Seniors TreShawn Watson led the Maverick receiving corps with 53 catches for 808 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior Grant Guyett tallied 621 receiving yards and six touchdown catches also.

The Maverick defense allowed 24.2 points and 354.3 yards of total offense a game last season. MSU allowed 146.2 rushing yards and 208.1 passing yards a game last season.

Sophomore Cade Stingle recorded 59 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and an interceptions, while senior Jamal Spiyee posted 53 tackles and an interception. Junior Nathan Drumm added 44 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks also.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 142-37 (.793) record, including a 1-0 record against Northwest Missouri State.

Concerning the Bearcats: Northwest Missouri State finished the 2024 season with a 6-5 record, including a 5-4 MIAA record. In their final four games of the 2024 season, the Bearcats went 2-2, including wins over Northeastern State (44-26) and Missouri Western (33-23) and losses to Central Missouri (35-30) and Pittsburg State (23-7).

As a team, NWMSU averaged 29.6 points and 383.7 yards of total offense a game last season. The Bearcats averaged 110.1 rushing yards and 273.6 passing yards a game last season.

Jadon Brady tallied 277 rushing yards and three touchdowns last season, while Dominic Myers tallied 132 rushing yards.

Chris Ruhnke threw for 2,848 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, while throwing 14 interceptions. Luke Matthews led the Bearcat receiving corps with 727 yards and two touchdowns, while Andrew Bradley tallied 145 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

As a unit, the Northwest Missouri State defense allowed 25.0 points and 297.8 yards of total offense a game last season, including 67.7 rushing yards and 230.1 passing yards.

Shane Fredrickson led the Bearcat defense last season with 71 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Carter Edwards notched 57 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 3.0 sacks, while Clayton Power tallied 36 tackles, including 8.0 for a loss and 5.5 sacks.

Northwest Missouri State is coached by John McMenamin who is in his first season as head coach of the Bearcats. He owns a 7-4 career record from the 2021 season where he served as the head coach at Wayne State. WSC defeated MSU 35-24 at Blakeslee Stadium. 

Maverick Football Luncheons: The Minnesota State football team will host its MSU Touchdown Club Luncheon the day before each home game this season, starting on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The Luncheons will be held at the Loose Moose Saloon, at 11:30 a.m. and will feature coach's presentations, along with a Q&A with Maverick student-athletes and video. The Luncheons are open to the public.