MANKATO, Minn. --- #3 Minnesota State returns home to begin a two-game homestand this Saturday as it hosts #10 Winona State at Blakeslee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Our History: The 2017 season marks the school's 91st season playing football. The Mavericks are 446-383-28 (.537) in 856 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922.  Minnesota State is in its 10th season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns an 88-13 (.871) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 21 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. The Mavericks have also made nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament. MSU owns a 7-9 overall record in NCAA postseason play. 

Grabbing the Reins: The 2017 season marks the eighth season with Head Coach Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his eight seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 74-19 (.795) record, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009,  2014 and 2015.

Regional Rankings: Minnesota State was ranked third in the first edition of the NCAA Super Region 4 rankings. Teams from the NSIC, Lone Star Conference (LSC), Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) make up Super Region 4. Seven teams from each of the four super regions will be named to the NCAA Tournament, with #1 seeds receiving a first-round bye.

Against the Warriors: Saturday's meeting between Minnesota State and Winona State marks their 56th all-time meeting between them, with MSU holding the series edge at 33-18-4. The Warriors have won the last two meetings against the Mavericks, including a 34-31 win last year in Winona.

Senior Ty Dennis led the Mavericks receivers with seven catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns last season against WSU. Senior Erik Fuller also caught a touchdown pass.

On defense, senior Evan Perrizo tallied seven tackles, including a team-leading four tackles for a loss and two sacks. Senior Larry Moore and junior Michael Palme each recorded five tackles as well.

As a team, the Mavericks tallied 319 yards of offense against Winona State, while the Warriors posted 375 yards. 

Last Week for the Mavericks: Minnesota State improved to 8-0 last week as it defeated Southwest Minnesota State 54-7 on the road. MSU is on a 10-game winning streak dating back to last season.

As a unit, the Mavericks posted 541 yards of total offense against the Mustangs, including 347 rushing yards. In comparison, SMSU managed just 240 yards, including 133 passing yards.

Freshman Justin Taormina led the MSU ground attack with 154 rushing yards and a touchdown, while freshman JD Ekowa added 83 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Shane Zylstra led MSU receivers with 84 yards and two touchdown catches as well.

Junior Casey Bednarski went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts from 19, 27 and 51 yards out. He is now 3-of-4 in field goal attempts from 50 yards or more this season.

Juniors Keyshawn Davis and Michael Palme led the Mavericks with six tackles, while junior Jayme LaPlante tallied one sack.

Last Week for the Warriors: Winona State improved to 8-0 this past weekend as it defeated Wayne State 42-19. Like MSU, WSU is currently on a 10-game winning streak dating back to last season.
As a team, Winona State tallied 411 yards of total offense against Wayne State, including 219 rushing yards, while WSC managed 333 yards of offense, including  224 passing yards.

Eric Birth led WSU rushers with 103 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Darren Beenken threw for 192 yards and a touchdown. Greg Rooney caught two passes for 42 yards and a touchdown as well.

Adonis Brown and Alex Evan each recorded an interception, with Brown returning his 12 yards for a touchdown. Andrew Spencer posted a team-leading eight tackles.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State owns an 8-0 record defeating Southwest Minnesota State 54-7 last weekend on the road. 

So far this season, MSU is averaging 515.9 yards of total offense a game, including 326.1 yards on the ground. In comparison, the MSU defense is allowing 263.1 yards of offense a game, including 71.2 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nate Gunn leads the MSU rushing attack with 1,115 yards and 10 touchdowns, with freshman Justin Taormina following with 628 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Sophomore Shane Zylstra leads the MSU receiving corps with 574 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches, while senior Ty Dennis has posted 273 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Schlichte has thrown for 1,038 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Junior Michael Palme leads the Maverick defense with 43 tackles, to go along with 4.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Senior Evan Perrizo has a team-leading 10 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks, and senior Jerry Nash III has three fumble recoveries and one interception, to go along with 36 tackles. Senior Corey Brent has two interceptions and 20 tackles as well.

Concerning the Warriors: Southwest Minnesota State enters the week the owner of an 8-0 record, including a 42-19 win against Wayne State last weekend. 

As a team, Winona State is averaging 390 yards of total offense a game, compared to 306.6 yards by its opponents. WSU is averaging 194.5 rushing yards and 195.5 passing yards a game.

The WSU rushing attack is led by Javian Roebuck and Eric Birth. Roebuck has 566 rushing yards and five touchdowns, with Birth following right behind with 494 yards and seven touchdowns.

Darren Beenken has thrown for 1,430 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Isaiah Frandsen leads the WSU receiving corps with 431 yards and six touchdown catches.

Andrew Spencer leads the Warrior defense with 60 tackles and five interceptions. Michael Ferrant has a team-best four sacks, to go along with 6.5 tackles for a loss.