December 12th, 2024 6:00am
Minnesota State travels to Valdosta State this weekend for a national semifinal matchup. The winner earns a trip to McKinney, Texas for the Division II national championship game. Kickoff is at 12:00pm, eastern and the game will air on ESPN+. We've compiled all the best information from the game notes issued by both schools.
From Minnesota State games notes:
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.
Mavs 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.
From Valdosta State game notes:
SETTING THE SCENE
The top-ranked Valdosta State football team (12-0, 6-0 GSC) hosts RV Minnesota State (11-3, 7-3 NSIC) in the NCAA Division II Semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 12 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The Blazers come off a dominating 49-14 win over No. 25 Virginia Union, while Minnesota State won 27-23 over Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) foe Bemidji State.
BREAKING DOWN THE SEMIFINALS
The Blazers earned the top overall seed in the semifinals, while Minnesota State is the No. 4-seed. No. 2-Seed Ferris State (Mich.) will host No. 3-seed Slippery Rock (Pa.) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET also on ESPN+. The Blazers own a 33-15 record in the NCAA postseason with a 4-2 mark in the championship game in 20 postseason appearances, while Minnesota State is 18-14 making its 15th trip and is 0-2 in the title game, losing most recently to Gulf South Conference foe West Florida in 2019. Ferris State is making its 15th trip to the postseason and is 28-12 and is 2-1 in the national title game, while it has split a pair of meetings with Valdosta State in the championship. Slippery Rock is making its 13th appearance in the postseason and is 15-12 all-time, while it is seeking its first trip to the title game. The four teams have won a combined six national titles and are 6-5 in the title game, while the teams have a combined 63 appearances in the postseason and a combined 94-53 record.
LAST MEETING WITH MINNESOTA STATE
The Blazers and Mavericks have met once in series history and it came on Dec. 8, 2012, in Mankato, Minn., in the semifinal round of the playoffs. VSU trailed 10-0 early in the second quarter and then turned up the heat, outscoring the Mavericks 35-9 the rest of the way handing MSU its only loss of the season. Blazer quarterback Cayden Cochran went 16 of 28 passing for 278 yards and two scores and had 12 carries for 40 yards and two scores on the ground. Austin Scott had 21 carries for 158 yards and a score, while Seantavious Jones had four receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. The temperature was 28 degrees for the game. The Blazers went on to defeat Winston-Salem State 35-7 in the national title game for the program's third football championship to that point.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS
Minnesota State enters with an 11-3 record after going 7-3 in the NSIC this season. The Mavericks have played three playoff games decided by a combined eight points with a 20-19 win over Augustana (S.D.), a 26-23 win at No. 7 Colorado State-Pueblo and then the 27-23 win over Bemidji State last Saturday. MSU used a goal line stand and a blocked extra-point to prevail in the game. This season, the Mavericks are playing their 97th season of football and are 517-403-27 (.561) all-time in 974 games since the program's inception in 1922 as a varsity sport. The Mavericks are in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and are 146-25 (.853) in 16 seasons in the league. The Mavericks had three players earn D2CCA Super Region Four honors in linebacker Antonio Alzheimer, offensive lineman Marshall Forerner and defensive back Khai West. Alzheimer leads the team with 102 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss for 10 yards and 1.5 sacks for five yards. West is second on the team in tackles with 69 and has four tackles for loss two interceptions and one blocked kick. All three earned All-NSIC honors, along with running back Sam Backer and wide receiver/return specialist TreShawn Watson. Maven Kretche along with West and Alzheimer earned first team honors on defense, while the Mavericks had six second team selections. Backer leads the team on the ground with 908 yards and five scores, while Christian Vasser has tallied 532 yards on the ground and five scores. Under center, quarterback Hayden Ekern has registered 483 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns, while hehas thrown for 2,995 yards and 23 touchdown passes. Watson leads the team with 777 yards and nine receiving scores, while Grant Guyett has 574 receiving yards and six scores. The defense allows 23.4 points per game and 352.1 yards per contest, along with 141.4 yards allowed on the ground. Head coach Todd Hoffner is 142-36 at the helm of the Mavericks including seven league titles and tne trips to the NCAA tournament, including a national runner-up finish in 2019 versus Gulf South Conference rival West Florida.
EDWARDS NAMED HARLON HILL TROPHY FINALIST FOR A SECOND-STRAIGHT SEASON
VSU senior quarterback Sammy Edwards is one of eight finalists for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy, which will go to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. Edwards and Virginia Union's Jada Byers represent Super Region Two on the national ballot. Edwards, along with Slippery Rock quarterback Brayden Long and Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss are still competing in the playoffs, while Virginia Union running back Jada Byers, Charleston's (W.Va.) running back Chavon Wright, Central Missouri's Zach Zebrowski, Colorado State-Pueblo wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff and Angelo State (Texas) quarterback Braeden Fuller complete the finalists. The NCAA Division II sports information directors selected the finalists through a round of regional voting. The eight finalists will now be placed on the national ballot where all 177 of the division's school and conference SIDs will select the award's 38th winner and will be announced on Dec. 20, 2024, prior to the national championship game the next day. Edwards finished third in the national voting last season.
SIX BLAZERS EARN D2CCA ALL-REGION HONORS
A total of six Blazers were named to the D2CCA All-Super Region Two teams which were announced last week. Senior quarterback Sammy Edwards, along with graduate offensive lineman Will Flowers and graduate safety Larry Elder earned first team honors and move onto the national ballot for All-America consideration, while junior offensive linemen Jeremiah Mawali and Kenley-Mary Asse and junior linebacker Sterling Roberts were second team honorees. This marks the second-straight year Edwards was named first team all-region, while this marks the first all-region honors for Elder, Flowers, Asse, Mawali and Roberts.
AS THE #1
VSU is 34-7 all-time as the No. 1 team in the country. VSU is 21-4 at home as the top team, while it is 11-3 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games. In addition to being the No. 1-ranked team in the country, VSU also has had success as the No. 1-team in the region. The Blazers earned the top spot in 2018, 2019, 2021 and now 2024, where the team went a combined 5-1 in the regional rounds of those playoffs.
VERSUS THE NORTHERN SUN
Minnesota State is the only team from the Northern Sun Valdosta State has played in program history, while Minnesota State is 0-2 against the GSC with the losses to VSU and UWF.
WINNING STREAKS
VSU owns a 12-game winning streak which is the longest current winning streak in the country. In fact prior to last Saturday, VSU is one of just 13 institutions from all levels of football who still are undefeated and the only undefeated team in NCAA Division II.
HOME FOR THE PLAYOFFS
The Blazers are 23-8 all-time at home in the playoffs and 33-15 overall. Since 2018, the Blazers are 9-2 in the playoffs at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium and 1-0 on the road with a win at Delta State in 2023, 38-31. Overall in the playoffs the team is 11-3 with two national championship game appearances and one title (2018) since 2018.
PROTECTING THE ROCK
The Blazers lead the nation in fewest turnovers (4) and are fifth nationally in turnover margin at a 1.42 clip and they have 21 turnovers forced this season.
SOLID TOTALS
The Blazers are ninth nationally in both total offense (465.4) and eighth in total defense holding teams to 248.6 yards per game. In addition, the Blazers are seventh nationally in scoring offense at 42.8 points per game, while they are tied for the nation's lead in scoring defense, allowing just 10.2 points per contest with a school-record three shutouts and have held seven opponents to ten or fewer points this season.
ROAD WARRIORS
Coming off the 49-20 win at Delta State on Nov. 9, the Blazers won their 12th-straight road game for the longest current road winning streak in Division II. Colorado State-Pueblo is second winning its last nine road contests. Since 2018, the Blazers have gone 26-3 on the road.
BLANKING BLAZERS
The Blazers registered their third shutout of the season in the 52-0 win over Chowan on Nov. 2. It marked the first time in program history the Blazers have had three shutouts in the same season. It also was the 29th shutout in program history. On the other end of the spectrum, the Blazers have not been shutout 390 games dating back to a 12-0 loss to Central Florida on Sept. 14, 1991, for the longest consecutive streak of no shutouts in NCAA Division II. In addition to not allowing points, the Blazers have held an additional two teams (Shorter, West Florida) to single-digit points this season.
ROCKIN' RUNNING GAME
The Blazers registered a season-high 339 yards on the ground on Nov. 2 versus Chowan on 31 carries for a staggering 10.9 average per carry. Graduate students Blake Hester and Alfonso Franklin, each had over 100 yards on the ground. Hester finished with 12 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns, while Franklin had 116 yards on just six carries and a touchdown. VSU amassed five rushing touchdowns for the game marking the third time this season of rushing for five touchdowns to that point.