The No. 9 CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves will take on the No. 4 Minnesota State - Mankato Mavericks in the 2nd round NCAA playoff game for the 3rd straight year.
CSU-Pueblo won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2014 against the Mavericks by the score of 13-0. The last two seasons the Pack have traveled to Mankato with losses in the first round in 2017 (16-13 OT) and in the second round in 2018 (24-10).
Last season in the NCAA Tournament, the Mavericks also defeated Tarleton State 13-10 in the third round. MSU, which made its third trip to the NCAA semifinals in 2018, then fell to Ferris State 42-25. All three games were at home.
Minnesota State is making its 12th trip to the NCAA Tournament, seventh in the last eight season, and owns an 11-11 postseason record. This season marks the third time the Mavericks have received a No. 1 seed to the NCAA Tournament (2012 and 2018).
With 533.8 yards per game MSU is 2nd in DII in total offense, while their defense ranks 1st nationally with 233.2 yards allowed per game.
