MANKATO, Minn. --- #8 Minnesota State continues its season at home this Saturday as it hosts the Minot State Beavers. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium.

Our History: The 2025 season marks the school's 98th season playing football. The Mavericks are 518-404-27 (.560) in 949 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 143-37 (.794) 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 143 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. Minot State: Thursday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their eighth all-time meeting between them. The Mavericks own a 7-0 all-time record against the Beavers, including a 40-6 win last season in Minot, N.D.

Sophomore Sam Backer rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Carter Henderson tallied 43 rushing yards. Sophomore Mitchell Thompson completed four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown also, while senior TreShawn Watson led the Mavericks with 144 receiving yards and two touchdown catches.

Junior Nathan Drumm notched five tackles, while senior Caleb Paulus posted two tackles for a loss. Senior Brock Galetich notched an interception as well.

Sam Buckhanan led the Beavers with 57 rushing yards, while Jonathan Noriega recorded 24 receiving yards.

Kevin Speed led the Minot defense with eight tackles, while Connor Raetzman tallied six tackles, including two for a loss.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 1-0 record after defeating Northwest Missouri State 38-14 at home last week.

As a team, MSU is averaging 38.0 points and 475.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 269.0 rushing yards and 206.0 passing yards.

Sophomore Sam Backer lead the Maverick rushing attack with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Mitchell Thompson has tallied 99 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Thompson has thrown for 177 yards and two touchdowns this season. Senior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 155 yards and a touchdown, while senior Grant Guyett has notched 16 receiving yards.

The Maverick defense has allowed 14.0 points and 316.0 yards of total offense a game this season, including 115.0 rushing yards and 201.0 passing yards.

Juniors Antoine Johnson and Myzel Williams lead the Maverick defense with five tackles each, while junior Amaun Williams has tallied two tackles and an interception.

Minnesota State head coach Todd Hoffner is in his 15th season with the Mavericks. He owns a 143-37 (.794) record, including a 6-0 record against Minot State.

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 0-1 record as the Beavers fell to Emporia State 27-7 last week on the road.

As a team, Minot State is averaging 7.0 points and 229.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 216.0 rushing yards and 13.0 passing yards a game.

Carson Chrisman and Evan Lovett lead the MISU rushing attack with 62 yards each, while Blake Espino has notched one rushing touchdown. 

Chrisman has thrown for 13 yards. Jonathan Noriega has caught one pass for 13 yards.

As a unit, the Minot State defense has allowed 27.0 points and 399.0 yards of offense a game this season, including 107.0 rushing yards and 292.0 passing yards.

Brayan Augustin leads the MISU defense with seven tackles, while Jalen Corpew has tallied five tackles, including one for a loss. Vila Jozama has recorded an interception also. 

Minot State is coached by Ian Shields, who is in his third season with the Beavers. He owns a 6-17 (.261) record at Minot State, including a 0-2 record against the Mavericks.

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.