MANKATO, Minn. --- The #1 Minnesota State football team opens its 2015 season at Blakeslee Stadium on Thursday as it takes on #3 Minnesota Duluth. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Our History: The 2014 season marks the school's 88th season playing football. The Mavericks are 420-378-28 (.525) in 826 games since their inception as a varsity sport in 1922. Minnesota State is in its seventh season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and owns a 62-9 (.873) record in league action. Over the course of its history, MSU has claimed 20 conference championships, including 16 NIC titles. Last season, the Mavericks claimed their second straight NSIC title and third in the last four seasons.
Grabbing the Reigns: The 2015 season marks the sixth season with head coach
Todd Hoffner on the sidelines. During his six seasons at Minnesota State, Hoffner has compiled a 48-14 (.774) record, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014.
Familiar Foe: Thursday's meeting between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth will mark the 37th meeting all-time between the Mavericks and the Bulldogs, with UMD leading the all-time series with a 20-15-1 record. MSU owns an 8-12 overall record against Minnesota Duluth in Mankato. The Mavericks have won their last two encounters against the Bulldogs, including a 44-17 win at Blakeslee Stadium last season in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Viewing Options: Fans who cannot make the trip to Blakeslee Stadium can view the game via ESPN3. The game will not be available through Stretch Internet.
Concerning the Mavericks: The 2014 season saw the Mavericks advance to the NCAA Championship game for the first time in program history as they put together a 14-1 record.
Minnesota State has several players on offense returning who made key contributions last season, including junior quarterback
Ricky Lloyd and sophomore quarterback
Nick Pieruccini. Lloyd led the Mavericks with 1,728 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes, with Pieruccini chipping in with 1,306 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Pieruccini also notched 568 rushing yards and seven touchdown carries, both of which ranked third on the team a season ago.
Senior running back
Connor Thomas will make his return to the backfield after leading the MSU rushing attack with 1,363 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Thomas eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau in seven games last season, including a 135-yard performance against Minnesota Duluth. Thomas finished his junior campaign as MSU's all-time leader in rushing yards (3,231) and rushing touchdowns (33).
MSU also welcomes back seniors
Bryce Duncan and
Kyle Riggott. Duncan finished his junior season with 302 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, while Riggot tallied 368 receiving yards and one touchdown catch.
The Mavericks will also welcome back a pair of All-Americans on defense in senior defensive end
Josh Gordon and senior linebacker
Tyler Henderson. Gordon set an MSU single-season record of 17.5 sacks a season ago, to go along with three fumble recoveries and 82 tackles. Henderson, who caught the game-winning interception against Pittsburg State in overtime last season, led the Mavericks with 122 tackles.
Concerning the Bulldogs: The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs enter their 2015 season on the heels of a 13-1 last season. UMD advanced to the third round of the NSIC Tournament before it fell to Minnesota State 44-17.
Junior Drew Bauer returns to the Bulldogs after posting 2,403 passing yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 983 yards and 13 touchdowns as well. Bauer was named the NSIC North Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Junior Beau Bofferding also returns to the Bulldog offense after posting 445 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. Bofferding also notched 207 rushing yards and eight touchdown carries.
Senior David Boegel returns after leading the Bulldog defense with 86 tackles, including a team-high 52 solo tackles. Junior Beau Bates also returns after notching 71 tackles, including nine tackles for a loss.
Curt Wiesse enters his third season as head coach of the Minnesota Duluth football team. He owns a 25-3 overall record.
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