![Minnesota State Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner had plenty of cheer about as the Mavericks won in front of a big home crowd Thursday.
during Thursday night’s game vs. St. Cloud State at Blakeslee Stadium. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - September 4, 2014, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State, Mankato, Blakeslee Stadium,](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3DX2VE3B6YFL5GACZTXPRWWBDI.jpg?&w=1080)
Fifth-ranked Minnesota State Mankato cruised to a 31-0 shutout of No. 12 St. Cloud State on Thursday evening in the teams' season opener in front of an announced crowd of 6,022 at Blakeslee Stadium.
MSU's shutout of the Huskies is its first shutout since the 2012 season when it blanked MSU Moorhead 24-0 at Blakeslee Stadium, where the Mavericks have a 19-game NSIC winning streak.
The Maverick offense accounted for 393 total yards of offense, including 270 yards on the ground. Senior Andy Pfeiffer led the way with 128 rushing yards and a touchdown, while junior Connor Thomas added 97 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore Ricky Lloyd and sophomore Nick Pieruccini combined for 123 passing yards, with Lloyd passing for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
The Huskies, meanwhile, managed just 235 yards of total offense, including 67 passing yards. Kenneth Walkers rushed nine times for 69 yards. The Mavericks defense forced three turnovers, recovered a fumble and made a pair of interceptions.
Tyler Henderson led the Mankato defense with nine tackles, while junior Josh Gordon added six tackles.
Winona State 47, Northern State 13: The Warriors cruised to a season-opening win after taking a 33-6 halftime lead.
