By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - (RV) Sioux Falls (3-1, 2-1 NSIC) hits the road to face No. 14 Minnesota State (3-1, 2-1 NSIC) on Saturday, Sept. 27 in Mankato, Minn. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium during the Mavericks' Homecoming.
Due to the increased volume in traffic, fans are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online ahead of time
HERE!
INSIDE THE SERIES
SERIES HISTORY: The series dates back to 1936, when the Mavericks earned a 27-0 win in the first matchup. Sioux Falls' first win came the following year, 7-0 in Mankato. All four of USF's victories have come on the road, including last year's thrilling 40-36 win at Blakeslee Stadium that handed MSU its first loss of the season.
THE LAST TIME: On Oct. 5, 2024, Sioux Falls spoiled Minnesota State's Homecoming with a 40-36 upset win in Mankato. Quarterback
Camden Dean accounted for five total touchdowns, throwing for 304 yards and four scores while rushing for one more. Wide receiver
Hank Brown Jr. hauled in four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, while
Carter Slykhuis added seven receptions for 147 yards and two scores.
The Cougars built a 30-9 lead early in the third quarter before the Mavericks rallied to within four points in the fourth. On the final drive of the game, USF's defense came up with a critical stop to seal the game with a 40-36 win. Defensively,
Garret Hoffman led the charge with eight tackles, five of which were solo, followed by
Joseph Sapp and
Andy Henson each with six. Combined, the defense recorded two tackles for a loss of 10 yards along with a sack while also adding three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
THE COUGAR FILE
QUICK HITS: (RV) Sioux Falls enters the week at 3-1 overall after wins over Black Hills State, Northern State, and Bemidji State before falling to No. 16 Minnesota Duluth. The Cougars are averaging 35.5 points per game, which ranks amongst the top-25 in NCAA Division II and third in the NSIC. They have showcased one of the most balanced and efficient offenses in the country, leading the NSIC in total offense at 446.3 yards per game while ranking 10th nationally in third-down conversion percentage at 53.3 percent while also sitting second in all Division II for time of possession averaging over 35:32 a game. USF also sits fourth in the nation in offensive first downs while demonstrating their ability to sustain drives and finish possessions.
Special teams have been an advantage for the Cougars, junior return specialist
Adonis Hutchinson has already taken a kick back for a touchdown this fall, tying him for fourth in the country in kickoff return scores. Defensively, the Cougars have forced four turnovers in as many games, with interceptions by
Garret Hoffman, Isaac Rudningen, and
Mauloa Wells providing timely momentum swings.Â
Individually, senior quarterback
Camden Dean has been among the top playmakers in Division II. He ranks within the top-20 nationally in completion percentage at 67 percent, tied for 18th in passing touchdowns with eight, and eighth in points responsible for with 72. His top target, sophomore wideout
Hank Brown Jr., has established himself as one of the league's best, ranking ninth nationally in receiving yards and 16th in receptions per game. Together, they headline a Cougar offense that continues to prove itself as one of the most dangerous units in the NSIC.Â
PREGAME TIDBITS: (RV) Sioux Falls looks to rebound following a 34-17 setback to Minnesota Duluth last weekend, the Cougars' first loss of the year. Through four games, USF is averaging 35.5 points per game while holding opponents to 26.5.
Quarterback
Camden Dean has accounted for over 1,100 yards of total offense. He has thrown for 937 yards and 8 touchdowns on nearly 67 percent passing, while rushing for 210 yards and 4 more scores. Running back
Bubba Tann III leads the ground game with 227 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, while
Christian Nash has added 151 yards and a score.
Jordan Smith provides a home-run threat, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown run earlier this season.
The receiving corps has been productive, led by
Hank Brown Jr. with 29 catches for 376 yards, averaging 94 yards per game.
Isaiah Emanuel has added 216 yards and three touchdowns, while
Adonis Hutchinson (129 yards, 1 TD) and
Christian Janis (126 yards, 2 TDs) provide balance. Tight end
Dahlton Wood has been a key red-zone target with three touchdown receptions.Â
On defense, safety
Garret Hoffman leads the team with 18 tackles and an interception. Linebacker
Andy Henson has 16 stops, while
Jordan Medrano &Â
Mauloa Wells have chipped in 13 tackles. Linebacker
London Kolb and defensive linemen
Conor Rice and
Dawson Raabe have been disruptive up front, combining for six tackles for loss.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
PREGAME TIDBITS: No. 14 Minnesota State is 3-1 overall and 2-1 in NSIC play after opening the season with wins over Northwest Missouri State, Minot State, and Jamestown. Their lone setback came in Week 3, a narrow 17-14 loss at Minnesota Duluth.
The Mavericks are averaging 30.5 points per game while boasting one of the top defenses in the NSIC, allowing just 13.5 points per contest. MSU's offense is fueled by a balanced rushing attack led by Sam Backer, who has rushed for 274 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterbacks Maximus Sims and Mitchell Thompson have split time under center, combining for 894 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. Sims also adds 205 rushing yards, making him a dual-threat.
The passing game is highlighted by standout receiver TreShawn Watson, who has 21 receptions for 467 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging nearly 117 yards per game. Grant Guyett has added 232 receiving yards, while Hudson Dillon and Nassir Jones have chipped in with touchdowns.
Defensively, Cade Stingle leads the Mavericks with 23 tackles, while Jefferson Mobry and Amaun Williams have each recorded interceptions. Defensive end Marcus Hansen remains a force in the trenches with 15 tackles and a sack. The special teams unit is anchored by kicker Connor Fournier, who has gone 6-for-8 on field goals, and returner Watson, who averages 35.8 yards per kickoff return.
MINNESOTA STATE HEAD COACH TODD HOFFNER: Now in his 15th season (22nd overall as a college head coach), Todd Hoffner has established Minnesota State as a perennial national contender. He's guided the Mavericks to 10 NCAA Division II Playoff appearances with two trips to the national championship game (2014, 2019), plus a Mineral Water Bowl win in 2011. Under Hoffner, MSU has captured seven NSIC championships and nine NSIC South Division titles, transforming the program immediately upon his 2008 arrival and compiling a 145–38 record at MSU through 14 seasons.
Hoffner's teams pair high performance with academic excellence. He has coached numerous All-Americans and All-NSIC honorees while MSU student-athletes have earned hundreds of Academic All-NSIC awards and multiple CSC Academic All-America accolades. Prior to MSU, he was USD's offensive coordinator, the head coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and an assistant at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. A Valley City State graduate and North Dakota native, Hoffner also serves as MSU's quarterbacks coach, continuing to shape one of the NSIC's most consistent winners.
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