MANKATO, Minn. --- #7 Minnesota State opens its road schedule this weekend as it travels north to take on #24 Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at James S. Malosky Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 519-404-27 (.560) in 950 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 147-25 (.854) 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 15 seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 144-37 (.795) 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 144 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. Minnesota Duluth: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth marks their 44th all-time meeting between them. The Mavericks own a 19-23-1 record against the Bulldogs, including an 8-10-1 record in Duluth. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings between them, including a 30-16 win last season in Duluth.

Sophomore Sam Backer rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown, while senior Grant Guyett caught two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Senior TreShawn Watson caught five passes for 32 yards also.

Sophomore Cade Stingle recorded nine tackles, including 0.5 sacks, while junior Tanner Olson posted four tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.

For UMD, Kyle Walljasper threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Walljasper also rushed for 77 yards, while Derrick Johnson tallied 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Ryder Patterson led the UMD receiving corps with 57 yards and a touchdown catch also.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-0 record, including a 1-1 NSIC record, after defeating Minot State 34-16 last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium.

As a team, MSU is averaging 36.0 points and 445.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 236.5 rushing yards and 226.0 passing yards.

Sophomore Mitchell Thompson leads the Maverick rushing attack with 152 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Sam Backer has posted 140 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Thompson has thrown for 319 yards and four touchdowns this season. Senior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 268 yards and three touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 99 receiving yards.

The Maverick defense has allowed 15.0 points and 346.5 yards of total offense a game this season, including 226.0 rushing yards and 120.5 passing yards.

Sophomore Cade Stingle leads the Maverick defense with 12 tackles, while senior Cayden Lovett has tallied nine tackles. Juniors Amaun Williams and Emanuel Spiyee have each recorded and interception as well.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 144-37 (.795) record, including a 5-5 record against Minnesota Duluth.

Concerning the Bulldogs: Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend the own of a 2-0 record, including a 1-1 NSIC record. Last weekend on the road, UMD defeated Concordia-St. Paul 61-7.

As a team, Minnesota Duluth is averaging 48.0 points and 416.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 154.0 rushing yards and 262.0 passing yards a game.

Alex Riley leads the UMD rushing attack with 94 yards and two touchdowns, while Zachary Welch has rushed for 75 yards.

Kyle Walljasper has thrown for 415 yards and six touchdowns this season. Luke Dehnicke has caught eight passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while Chuck Gilbert III has tallied 127 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

As a unit, the Minnesota Duluth defense has allowed 7.0 points and 265.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 83.5 rushing yards and 182.0 passing yards.

Ross Rivord leads the UMD defense with nine tackles, while Joey Krouse has posted seven tackles, including 2.0 for a loss. Luke Humbert has notched four tackles and an interception also.

Minnesota Duluth is coached by Curt Wiese, who is in his 12th season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He owns a 106-27 (.752) record at UMD, including a 3-6 record against the Mavericks.