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Setting the Stage
The Northern State football team travels to face No. 2 ranked Minnesota State Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest with the Mavericks. MSU is coming off a 21-17 win over 13^th-ranked Minnesota Duluth last weekend in Duluth.

Northern (1-2, 1-2 NSIC) looks to snap its two-game losing skid. The Wolves lost a heart-breaker last weekend to Upper Iowa 24-17 at Swisher Field. Jared Jacobson rushed for 91 yards and a score in the loss while the NSU defense forced three Peacock turnovers and also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Last Meeting
Saturday will be the first meeting between Northern and Minnesota State since the Mavericks won 32-10 back in 2011 in Mankato. Jayson Geditz led the Wolves with eight total tackles in the loss. Wil Carlson and Ben Jastram each caught a pass in the game.

Scouting the Mavericks
A national semifinalist a season ago, Minnesota State was picked as the 2013 preseason NSIC favorite by the conference's coaches. The Mavericks' outright conference title in 2012 was their first since 1968. Kicker Sam Brockhaus and offensive linemen Andrew Essman and Chris Schaudt were All-Americans a season ago for MSU. Minnesota State comes into Saturday's meeting with the number one ranked scoring offense in the NSIC at 41 points per game.

The Series and Forecast
Northern will be looking for its first win in Mankato in program history. The Wolves are 1-5 all-time against MSU with their lone win coming in a 16-14 victory in Aberdeen back in 1971.

Saturday's forecast calls for temps in the mid- to high-60s with a very good likelihood of rain coming in the morning. Most of the storms should be out of there by kickoff however.

Promotions
The NSU Foundation will be holding a tailgate prior to the game for all alumni and friends of Northern. The tailgate begins at 12:30 p.m. at the AmericInn Mankato on 240 Stadium Road.