MANKATO, Minn. – In front of the third-largest crowd in Blakeslee Stadium history, the fifth-ranked Minnesota State football team delivered a dominant performance Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 22 Wayne State 35-0 on Family Weekend.
The Mavericks improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play while recording their first shutout since a 52-0 victory at Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 6, 2021. It also marked Minnesota State's first home shutout since a 36-0 win over Northern State on Sept. 23, 2017. It also marked the second shutout in series history against Wayne State as MSU improved to 16-3 all-time against the Wildcats.
Prior to kickoff, head coach
Todd Hoffner was recognized for earning his 200th career coaching victory, which came in a 49-7 win over Concordia-St. Paul on Oct. 30. Hoffner also collected his 160th victory at Minnesota State with Saturday's win and now owns a 202-69 career record in 24 seasons, including a 160-41 mark in 17 seasons with the Mavericks.
Saturday's announced attendance of 7,024 ranks as the third-largest crowd in program history.
Former Maverick student-athlete Scott Christiansen was honored before the game as an honorary captain and Distinguished Letterwinner. Christiansen, a former safety from Racine, Wis., attended Minnesota State from 1974-76 before a life-altering automobile accident ended his football career.
Defense Sets the Tone
After both teams exchanged possessions early, Wayne State (6-2, 5-2 NSIC) appeared poised to seize momentum following an interception at its own 9-yard line. The Mavericks answered immediately as senior defensive back
Jason Dandridge intercepted Wildcats quarterback Brady McGill and returned it for a touchdown, giving Minnesota State a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.
The interception return marked Minnesota State's third defensive touchdown via interception this season and the team's 13th interception overall.
Minnesota State extended its lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter when senior
Matt Maldonado connected on a 48-yard field goal, the longest made field goal by the Mavericks this season. Following a Wayne State turnover on downs, junior
Connor Fournier added a 28-yard field goal to make it 13-0 with 7:42 remaining in the first half.
The Mavericks controlled the opening half defensively, limiting a Wayne State offense that entered the game averaging 210 rushing yards per contest to just 12 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Wildcats managed only 49 total yards and three first downs before halftime.
Mavericks Pull Away
Following a scoreless start to the second half, Minnesota State mounted a key drive behind junior quarterback
Mitchell Thompson. Thompson connected with sophomore
Connor Stauff for 11 yards and sophomore
Hudson Dillon for 30 more before helping move the offense deep into Wayne State territory.
The Mavericks eventually capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion to increase the lead to 21-0 late in the third quarter.
Minnesota State added another score early in the fourth quarter when Thompson broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 28-0. Later in the period, junior
Carter Henderson raced 63 yards for a touchdown, pushing the advantage to 35-0.
Wayne State's final opportunity to spoil the shutout ended in dramatic fashion. Facing fourth-and-5 from the Minnesota State 18-yard line with seconds remaining, the Wildcats attempted a field goal after a Maverick timeout. Senior
Jack Hawkinson blocked the kick, preserving the shutout.
By the Numbers
Minnesota State outgained Wayne State 388-177 and limited the Wildcats to just 61 rushing yards.
Carter Henderson led the Maverick ground game with 105 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, while
Mitchell Thompson added 88 yards rushing and two scores on 19 carries. Thompson also completed 8-of-12 passes for 104 yards.
Defensively, the Mavericks recorded 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. Sophomore
Jefferson Mobry paced the team with seven tackles and one tackle for loss. Hawkinson posted 2.5 tackles for loss, assisted on a sack, registered four tackles and blocked the Wildcats' final field-goal attempt.
Minnesota State returns to action on Halloween at noon when it travels to Southwest Minnesota State.
Attendance: 7,024
Records: No. 5 Minnesota State (8-0, 7-0 NSIC), No. 22 Wayne State (6-2, 5-2 NSIC)
Final: Minnesota State 35, Wayne State 0
