MANKATO, Minn. --- #14 Minnesota State continues its road schedule this Saturday as the Mavericks travel to Jamestown, N.D., to take on the Jamestown Jimmies. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Charlotte & Gordon Hansen Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 519-405-27 (.559) in 951 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 147-26 (.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 144-38 (.791) 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. Jamestown: Saturday's game between Minnesota State Jamestown will be their first meeting ever.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 2-1 record, including a 1-1 NSIC record, after falling to Minnesota Duluth 17-14 on the road last weekend.

As a team, MSU is averaging 28.7 points and 386.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 180.7 rushing yards and 205.3 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 187 yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore Mitchell Thompson has tallied 157 yards and one touchdown.

Thompson has thrown for 380 yards and four touchdowns this season. Senior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 384 yards and four touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 164 receiving yards.

The Maverick defense has allowed 15.7 points and 362.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 206.7 rushing yards and 155.3 passing yards.

Freshman Jefferson Mobry leads the Maverick defense in tackles with 19, with sophomore Cade Stingle following right behind with 17 tackles. Junior Amaun Williams has recorded 16 tackles and one interception also.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 144-38 (.791) record.

Concerning the Jimmies: Jamestown enters the weekend the owner of a 0-2 record, including a 0-2 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, UJ fell to Southwest Minnesota State 12-7.

As a team, Jamestown is averaging 7.0 points and 287.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 99.0 rushing yards and 188.0 passing yards a game.

Zach Hammett leads the UJ rushing attack with 119 yards, while Cole Hentges has tallied 34 rushing yards.

Nicholas Martinez has thrown for 325 yards and a touchdown this season. Nate Burke has recorded 153 receiving yards and a touchdown.

As a unit, the Jamestown defense has allowed 24.5 points and 328.5 yards of offense a game this season, including 116.5 rushing yards and 212.0 passing yards.

Jackson Walters leads the UJ defense with 14 tackles, while Zach Mueller has posted 13 tackles, including 2.0 for a loss. Luke Van Den Berg has notched 11 tackles and also.

Jamestown is coached by Brian Mistro, who is in his first season as head coach of the Jimmies. He owns a 0-2 record.