MANKATO, Minn. — Behind another fourth quarter comeback, the Minnesota State football team has advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament where they will take on Valdosta State. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga.
Our History: The 2024 season marks the school’s 97th season playing football. The Mavericks are 517-403-27 (.560) in 947 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 are making their 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season. MSU owns an 18-14 overall record in NCAA postseason play.
MSU’s trip to the NCAA Tournament semifinals this weekend marks the fifth time in team history that the Mavericks have reached the semifinals. 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 this season marks the third time that MSU has 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 142-36 (.797) 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 142 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. Valdosta State: Saturday’s game between Minnesota State and Valdosta State marks their second all-time meeting between them. In their only previous meeting, the Blazers defeated the Mavericks 35-19 in the semifinals of the 2012 NCAA Tournament at Blakeslee Stadium.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of an 11-3 overall record, including a 7-3 NSIC record. Last weekend at Blakeslee Stadium, Minnesota State defeated Bemidji State 27-23 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. This is the third time in team history that the Mavericks have won three NCAA Tournaments games in the season.
As a team, MSU is averaging 29.5 points and 389.9 yards of offense a game this season. The Mavericks are averaging 172.5 rushing yards and 217.4 passing yards a game.
Freshman Sam Backer leads the Maverick rushing attack with 908 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Senior Christian Vasser has tallied 532 rushing yards and five touchdowns also, while senior Hayden Ekern has notched 483 rushing yards and 14 touchdown carries.
Ekern has thrown for 2,995 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. Junior TreShawn Watson leads the Maverick receiving corps with 777 yards and nine touchdowns, while junior Grant Guyett has notched 574 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
The Maverick defense has allowed 23.4 points and 352.1 yards of total offense a game this season. MSU has allowed 141.4 rushing yards a game this season.
Senior Antonio Alzheimer leads the Maverick defense with 102 tackles, while junior Karson Dunn has notched 63 tackles and an two interceptions. Senior Cody Brown leads the team with 13.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks, while senior Max Lommel has recovered two fumbles.
Concerning the Blazers: Valdosta State enters the weekend the owner of a 12-0 overall record, including a 6-0 Gulf South Conference record. The Blazers have defeated Miles College (33-17) and Virginia Union (49-14) in the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
As a team, VSU is averaging 42.7 points and 465.4 yards of total offense a game this season. The Blazers are averaging 206.3 rushing yards and 259.2 passing yards a game this season.
Blake Hester leads the VSU rushing attack with 955 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Alfonso Franklin has tallied 706 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Sammy Edwards has thrown for 2,929 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Rodney Bullard leads the VSU receiving corps with 986 yards and 12 touchdowns. Graeson Malashevich has notched 512 receiving yards and four touchdowns also.
As a unit, the Valdosta State defense has allowed 10.1 points and 248.9 yards of total offense a game this season, including 118.8 rushing yards and 130.1 passing yards.
Larry Elder leads the Blazers with 84 tackles, including 11.0 for a loss. Caden Campolieti has tallied 58 tackles and a team-leading 5.5 sacks, while Sterling Roberts has recorded 39 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
Valdosta State is coached by Tremaine Jackson who is in his third season as head coach of the Blazers and fifth season overall. He owns a 29-8 (.784) record at Valdosta State and a 39-11 (.780) overall record.
NCAA Playoff History: The Mavericks own an 18-14 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament, including a 12-6 mark at Blakeslee Stadium. MSU is making its 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 2024 season. This year, the Mavericks have defeated Augustana (20-19), CSU Pueblo (26-23) and Bemidji State (27-23) in the NCAA Tournament.
Career Touchdown Passes: Senior Hayden Ekern is tied for first all-time with Ben King in career touchdown passes at Minnesota State with 72.
Coming Up Clutch: Senior kicker Matthew Jaeger is 5-for-5 in field goal attempts this season during the fourth quarter. For his career Jaeger has made 8-of-9 field goal attempts in the fourth quarter.
