MANKATO, Minn. --- #14 Minnesota State returns home this Saturday for its annual Homecoming Game as it takes on the Sioux Falls Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 520-405-27 (.560) in 952 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 148-26 (.850) 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 145-38 (.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 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 145 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. Sioux Falls: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 15th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series 10-4. Last season, USF defeated MSU 40-36 during the Mavericks' Homecoming Game at Blakeslee Stadium.

Senior TreShawn Watson caught three passes for 30 yards, while senior Grant Guyett tallied three catches for 26 yards and a touchdown. Senior Jamal Spiyee posted five tackles, while sophomore Cade Stingle recorded three tackles, including 1.0 for a loss.

For USF, Camden Dean notched 304 passing yards and four touchdown passes, while throwing two interceptions. Dean also rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown. Hank Brown Jr. caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown as well. Garret Hoffman led the USF defense with eight tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 3-1 record, including a 2-1 NSIC record, after defeating Jamestown 36-7 on the road last weekend.

As a team, MSU is averaging 30.5 points and 426.8 yards of offense a game this season, including 203.3 rushing yards and 223.5 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 274 yards and five touchdowns, while freshman Maximus Sims has tallied 205 yards and one touchdown.

Sims has thrown for 469 yards and three touchdowns this season. Senior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 467 yards and five touchdowns, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 232 receiving yards.

The Maverick defense has allowed 13.5 points and 336.3 yards of total offense a game this season, including 198.3 rushing yards and 138.0 passing yards.

Sophomore Cade Stingle leads the Maverick defense with 23 tackles, including 2.0 for a loss. Freshman Jefferson Mobry has tallied 20 tackles and an interception also, while junior Antoine Johnson has notched 19 tackles, including one sack.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 145-38 (.792) record, including a 7-3 record against Sioux Falls.

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 3-1 record, including a 2-1 NSIC record. Last weekend at home, USF fell to Minnesota Duluth 34-17.

As a team, Sioux Falls is averaging 35.5 points and 446.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 187.5 rushing yards and 258.7 passing yards a game.

Bubba Tann III leads the USF rushing attack with 227 yards and three touchdowns, while Camden Dean has notched 210 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Dean has thrown for 937 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Hank Brown Jr. leads the Cougars receivers with 376 yards, while Isaiah Emanuel has tallied 216 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

As a unit, the Sioux Falls defense has allowed 26.5 points and 333.3 yards of offense a game this season, including 138.0 rushing yards and 195.2 passing yards.

Garret Hoffman has notched 18 tackles and an interception, while Andy Henson has tallied 16 tackles. London Kolb has notched nine tackles, including 2.5 for a loss as well.

Sioux Falls is coached by Jim Glogowski who is in his third season as head coach of the Cougars. He owns a 14-12 record at USF, including a 1-1 record against Minnesota State.

Homecoming History: Minnesota State owns a 55-34-2 Homecoming record dating back to 1928. Last season, Sioux Falls snapped MSU's 12-game winning streak during Homecoming as the Cougars won 40-36.

This will be the second time MSU has hosted USF during its annual Homecoming game. It also marks the first time the Mavericks have hosted the same opponent in back-to-back Homecoming games since the 1933-34 seasons when they hosted Bemidji State (L, 6-0 in 1933 & W, 13-0 in 1934). 

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.