By Jim Rueda
MANKATO — A year ago, rookie Minnesota State University football coach Todd Hoffner guided the Mavericks to the team’s first playoff appearance in 14 years.
This year, the Mavericks are back and taking things one step further. Instead of having to travel to Ohio to start the playoffs as they did in 2008, MSU has played well enough to host a first-round game against Hillsdale (Mich.) at Blakeslee Stadium.
The game is scheduled for a noon start on Saturday.
Minnesota State (10-1) saw its perfect regular season come to an end on Saturday with a 26-21 loss to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival St. Cloud State. That dropped the Mavericks from the top spot in the regional rankings to No. 3. Minnesota-Duluth is ranked No. 1 and Grand Valley State is 2.
“We’re very excited to be one of the 24 teams playing in the national tournament,” Hoffner said Sunday, shortly after the NCAA selection show. “Our players have worked hard all season to get to this point and nice to have a game at home on our own field in front of our own fans.”
Had MSU garnered one of the top two spots in the rankings, it would have received a first-round bye in the tournament. Although the week off would have given MSU more time to heal up from the grind of an 11-game regular season, Hoffner said there’s a silver lining to playing right away, as well.
“This will allow us to get the bitter taste of the loss to St. Cloud out of our system right away,” he said. “We have a new team to focus on now and we’ll start getting ready on Monday.”
Redshirt freshman Jake Aberg said being able to play Hillsdale in Mankato would be a big advantage for the Mavericks.
“Instead of us having to do all the traveling they have to come here,” he said. “We haven’t lost at Blakeslee in two seasons so we’re excited to be getting them on our home field.”
Hoffner describes Hillsdale as a well-balanced team with a good passing attack and solid ground game. He said the Chargers (9-2) also play pretty tough defense.
“In many ways they’re a lot like the Mavericks,” he said. “We anticipate a hard-fought battle Saturday.”
