Joshua Gordon didn't have to be convinced to switch positions when he arrived at Minnesota State Mankato. When the Mavericks proposed a move from the offensive line to defensive end, the Milwaukee native immediately saw the benefits.

"On defense, you get to hunt, for lack of a better term," the junior said with a laugh. "It's fun. You can be the aggressor, and I definitely liked that."

After ambushing quarterbacks all season, Gordon will try some big-game hunting on Saturday as MSU, Mankato hosts Pittsburg State in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The converted center and offensive tackle has become one of the most fearsome defenders in college football, ranking second in D-II with a school-record 16½ sacks this year. Last week, Gordon was named defensive player of the year in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and was chosen as one of 36 finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the top player in Division II.

Gordon has rung up 60 tackles, including a team-high 18 for loss, to help the top-ranked Mavericks finish the regular season 11-0 and earn a bye into the playoff's second round. As a whole, the MSU defense has shut out three opponents — the most since 1972 — and leads D-II in scoring defense at 11.7 points per game.

"Joshua has warranted all the attention he's received," Minnesota State coach Todd Hoffner said. "He's a great leader and a craftsman who knows his skills and tools. And no one works harder."

At 6-2 and 250 pounds, Gordon is not the most physically imposing lineman. Hoffner said he has built his reputation by being fast, tenacious and shifty, qualities that have steadily improved through three seasons as a cornerstone of the Mavericks defense.

Gordon hadn't played defense since middle school, but he was eager to learn his new position when he was redshirted as a freshman. He recorded 4½ sacks in his first season and followed up with a team-high seven sacks during his sophomore year in 2013. This season, Gordon also leads the Mavericks with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, and he is four sacks away from tying the Division II single-season record set by Charlie Cook of LIU Post in 2001.

Last summer, Gordon shed about 30 pounds by eating healthier foods and ratcheting up his workouts. His improved quickness, combined with his experience and greater knowledge of the position, paved the way for his best season yet. Gordon said the Mavericks' primary strategy is to shut down the opponents' running game, forcing the third-and-long situations that allow their pass rush to shine.

"If we stop the run, then we can do what everyone loves, which is getting after the quarterback," he said. "It's exhilarating, especially when he doesn't see you coming."

The hunter became the hunted late in the season, Hoffner said, as teams began changing their schemes to try to neutralize Gordon. That slowed his sack production a bit, but that doesn't bother Gordon. He has impressed his coach with his ability to teach and encourage his teammates — and seeing a fellow Maverick take down a quarterback, he said, is the only thing more thrilling than doing it himself.

"If [opponents] want to focus on me, then we'll have other people making plays," Gordon said. "When a teammate [sacks the quarterback], that really gets me fired up. Hearing the crowd erupt, it's just great. There's nothing like it."