2021 UW-Stout Football Statistics
MENOMONIE (August 17, 2022) – On paper, very few holes show up as the UW-Stout football team looks forward to the 2022 season.
Going by letter winner numbers, the Blue Devils lost only 10 total letter winners, five on offense, four on defense, one on special teams. Stout returns 28 offensive letter winners, 26 on defense and one on special teams, for a total of 55 returning letter winners.
"There is no question we are excited about this year," 13th-year Blue Devil coach
Clayt Birmingham said. "We have so many guys back and we are much more mature."
While the Blue Devils return 16 seniors the coach staff will also be counting on the sophomore and junior classes to help make the push.
"We were so close last year," Birmingham said. "We think this is the group to take the next step. We were in the games - now we just have to win those games."
Stout started off the season well, earning votes in both Division III polls, but then dropped close games to close out the season, losing three of their final four games by just a touchdown each.
"We believe we have the leadership to do it," Birmingham said. "It comes from within. If they do the right stuff on and off the field, we should be in good shape."
The Blue Devils reported Tuesday, Aug. 16 to begin the 2022 season.
OFFENSE
Sean Borgerding (Sr, Spring Valley) returns at the quarterback spot after earning All-WIAC honorable mention honors in all three seasons that he has played. Borgerding, a three-time team captain, has started for the last three seasons and has completed 541 of 959 passes for 7404 yards, with 67 touchdowns against only 29 interceptions. Borgerding's total passing yardage is currently for third on the all-time list, behind only Tim Peterson (8881 yds/1986-89) and Matt Bunyan (8562 yds/1995-98). His 67 touchdowns trail only Bunyan's 85. Borgerding is posting a career passing percentage of .564, trailing only Gale Woelffer (.569/1948-51).
During the 2022 season, Borgerding completed 205 of 327 passes for 2872 with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Only Bunyan (3230 yds, 1998/3221 yds, 1997) and Peterson 2956, 1989) have thrown more yards in a single season and only Bunyan (38 TDs, 1998/33 TDs, 1997) has thrown more touchdowns in a single season.
Mitch Waechter (So, Campellsport), a first-team all-stater from Fond du Lac Springs, a program that won three state titles during Waechter's high school years, saw his first collegiate action last fall.
"Sean is very calm and cool in the pocket," Birmingham said. "He just doesn't get rattled. Nothing phases him; there is not a lot of up and down. Sean is very knowledgeable about the game. He is like a quiet coach on the field."
Waechter is a talented quarterback who is waiting his turn.
"Mitch has a big arm and can also run," said Birmingham. "He is sitting behind a great player."
The Blue Devils return a solid trio of wide receivers in
Levy Hamer (Sr, Chicago, Ill),
Parker Fossum (Sr, Chatfield, Minn) and
Arthur Cox (Sr, Dixon, Ill) who saw a lot of action last year.
Hamer is currently second on the Blue Devils' all-time receiving list, pulling in 178 passes for 2813 yards and 26 touchdowns. Hamer trails only Scott Frederickson (1986-89) in receptions and yards. Frederickson has 233 receptions for 3390 yards. Frederickson caught 29 touchdowns. Hamer is currently ninth on the all-time scoring list with 160 points. Running back Luke Bundgaard (2000-03) is the all-time scoring leader with 240 points. Hamer led the WIAC in receiving yards per game last year, averaging 96.2 yards over 10 games. Hamer was fourth in the WIAC in scoring with 74.
"Levy just changes his speed so well," Birmingham said. "He will be going 80 percent (speed), then will run up to the ball. He is so smooth and has that gear change."
Hamer, a second team all-region pick in 2021 and three-time all-WIAC pick, has been a recipient of many of Borgerding's passes. After three years together, Borgerding and Hamer have completed 168 passes together and have combined for 25 of Hamer's 26 touchdowns. Hamer has caught 94 percent of his passes from Borgerding, and has caught 10 passes from other quarterbacks. Of Borgerding's 541 completions, Hamer has accounted for 31 percent of the receptions. Stout has used 30 different receivers over that time span. Thirty-seven percent of Borgerding's 67 touchdown passes have gone to Hamer.
Fossum is "deceptively fast," Birmingham said, and broke out in his first season, starting all 10 games as a freshman, a year he had 31 grabs for 285 yards with two scores and 23 receptions his second year for 300 yards and three TDs, one in each of the final three games of the season. Fossum last season pulled in 46 catches - second only to Hamer - for 594 yards and four TDs.
Last season, Cox earned first team all-conference honors as an all-purpose back and was a second team all-WIAC pick at wide receiver. Cox hauled in 42 passes for 629 yards and six TDs. Cox averaged 25.5 yards per kickoff return and the Blue Devils look forward to getting the ball into his hands.
"Cox is just a jitterbug," Birmingham said. "He just makes people miss. When the ball is in his hands, he is just fun to watch."
Birmingham likes his depth at wide receiver. Behind his returning trio are
Robvon Jackson (So, Zumbrota, Minn),
Charlie Pierce (So, Hudson),
Will Knutson (Jr, Dousman), Bennet Lecher (So, Litchfield, Minn) and
Patrick Corcoran (Jr, Mindoro).
Jackson is a player "that attacks the ball", Birmingham said. Pierce is a "speed guy," while Knutson "comes out of no where to catch the ball." Corcoran was a major contributor as a returner and had a solid game at wide receiver against UW-Whitewater, catching four balls for 95 yards and a touchdown. Lecher had a change in heart with schools and joined the team right before the 2021 pre-season season and made strides during the spring practice season.
Matt Pomietlo (So, Chippewa Falls) made an impression in spring camp in 2021 and built on that impression during the regular season. Pomietlo took the opportunity to become the starting tailback after an injury to
Rayshawn Graham opened the door. Pomietlo ran through it, becoming the team's primary rusher, finishing with 606 yards and four touchdowns.
While Graham was a big runner, tipping the scales at 250 pounds, Pomietlo brings a smaller frame to the tailback spot, weighing in at 185 pounds. And Pomietlo took advantage of his skills set and mentality.
"Pomietlo is a tough kid who would play with injuries," Birmingham said. "He possesses amazing balance. He would put his hand down and pop out of the pile like Houdini."
Carter Fonger (So, Superior),
JD Bates (Jr, Sauk Rapids, Minn),
Jacob Kopacz (Jr, Glenwood City),
Colin Smith (So, Rochester, Minn) and
Chase Hughes (So, Fremont) will figure into the mix. Fonger is more of a slasher style and saw some action last year, averaging 2.9 yards on 17 carries. Kopacz moved from defense where he played some safety and linebacker before moving to offense this spring.
At fullback,
Raith Bauer (So, Mondovi) and
Camron LeMay (Sr, Shoreview, Minn) hold the upper hand heading into camp. Bauer was an offensive lineman coming to Stout, but was moved to fullback. An early season injury kept him out for most of the 2021 season, but Bauer appears ready to go. LeMay brings a vocal leadership to the team who proves to be a motivator on the field.
At tight end,
John Smozynski (Jr, DeForest) is expected to return after injury kept him out of the 2021 season and could share time with
Bradley Sarauer (Jr, Bloomer) and
Caleb Timm (So, Merrill). Saurer last year season hauled in 14 passes, and proved very effective in the running game. Smozynski, who was an offensive lineman coming to Stout before moving to tight end, had a solid freshman year in 2019, earning the team's newcomer of the year award, catching two TD passes against UW-Stevens Point.
For the second year in a row, the offensive line will need to find a new anchor at center.
Justin Schlangen stepped into the role last year and earned all-conference honors, but graduated in the spring.
"Our question again will be is who is going to take over at center," Birmingham said.
Long-time long-snapper
Tyler Nichols (Sr, Eau Claire) and
Nolan Baker (So, Naperville, Ill) should be in the battle for the center spot
At guard,
Jacob Foss (Jr, Eden Praire, Minn) stepped up and into the starting role, earning second team all-conference honors in 2021.
"Foss really turned it around and became a contributor," Birmingham said, "As a youngster, he didn't have the passion, but last year something clicked and he regained that passion."
At the other guard, Luke Parczyk (So, White Bear Lake, Minn) stepped in and started the final six games of the season. "A big, strong kid," Birmingham said, Parczyk is 310 pounds.
At tackle,
Jesus Ambriz (Jr, Monee, Ill) returns and was joined by true freshman
Luke Mertens (So, Easton, Minn), who started the final five games of the season.
Calvin Meacham (So, Sturgeon Bay) and
Cade Vachowiak (Fr, Eleva) will vie for time at tackle. Senior
Wesley Birch (Byron, Minn), whom Birmingham describes as a vocal leader on the line, will see time at guard.
DEFENSE
In contrast to last season when only three starters returned, the Blue Devil defense returns 10 starters return. Two of those are team captains - along with Borgerding and Hamer - defensive backs
Mason Priebe (Jr, Menasha) and
Cannon Griner (Jr, Mesa, Ariz).
Griner, a 2021 second team all-conference player, led the WIAC in passes defended, breaking up seven passes and intercepting four, averaging a league-best 1.10 defended pass per game. Griner tied for third in the WIAC in interceptions with four and was fourth in the conference in tackles with 86. Priebe was 10th in the league in passes defended with seven, breaking up four and picking off three. Priebe tied for fifth in interceptions.
Priebe and Griner return at the safety positions and are similar in their work ethic and passion for the game.
"Both are very competitive and are always in the office watching film and asking questions," Birmingham said.
Priebe is expected to return at the strong safety spot, while Griner will be at the free safety position.
Kevin Liu (Jr, Green Bay) has seen action in all 20 games throughout his Blue Devil career is slotted at strong safety while
Carter Johnson (Fr, Mondovi) is at free safety.
Nick Arguedas (Sr, Waterville, Minn) moved over to cornerback last season after playing running back his first three years, starting all 10 games in the defensive backfield and recording his first collegiate interception in the final game of the season. True freshman
Richie Murphy (So, Cameron) saw considerable time at cornerback last year.
Kyle Wilson (Jr, Eau Claire) and
Carson Strong (So, Knapp) are in a battle for other the cornerback spot. Wilson started all 10 games last year with 37 tackles and three passes broken up. Strong saw action in all 10 games and recorded his first collegiate interception against UW-Stevens Point.
Looking for spots at outside linebacker will be
Mack Klafter (Jr, Mesa, Ariz),
Dylan Larrabee (So, Zimmerman, Minn) and
Gervase Thompson (So, Brule) and inside linebacker spots will be filled by Nathan Rewald (So, Lino Lakes, Minn),
Nathan Williamson (So, Naperville, Ill)
Andrew Thompson (Jr, Zimmerman, Minn),
Wyatt Beyerl (Jr, Mosinee) and
Noah Jungwirth (So, Rice, Minn).
Rewald was the team's second-leading tackler last season, recording 63 total tackles, 28 solo, playing all 10 games and earned five starts. Rewald recorded four tackles for loss and recovered a fumble.
Jungwirth,
Gervase Thompson and
Dylan Larrabee all earned starts last year. Larrabee grabbed his first collegiate interception, returning the ball 20 yards against UW-La Crosse, setting up Stout's second touchdown of the game. Williamson,
Andrew Thompson, Beyerl and Klafter saw action in all 10 games.
Scott Gustafson (Sr, Victoria, Minn) earned second team all-conference honors as a defensive end, has been a regular for three seasons and his high motor gets him near the ball to make things happen, Birmingham said, adding Gustafson is a fast, strong and explosive player. Gustafson was a key special teams player, recording four blocked kicks last season.
Nick Mohs (So, Rochester, Minn) will see time at defensive end.
James Anderson (Sr, Hillsboro) and
Jackson Mack (So, Minneapolis, Minn) split time at nose guard last season, with Anderson starting all 10 games, recording 22 tackles and forced a fumble. Mack saw action in all 10 games and recorded 12 tackles.
Defensive tackle
Ethan Olson (Sr, Iola) started all 10 games and was among the team's leader in sacks, recording three and had three pass breakups.
Jonny Schmitt (So, Cazenovia) saw action eight games, recording a sack, forcing a fumble and blocking a kick.
Drew Hollister (So, St. Paul, Minn) and
David Finkel (So, Reedsburg) both saw action last season on the defensive line.
Place kicker
Luke Cool (So, Franklin) returns after making 22 of 25 extra point attempts. After spring practice,
Michael Volz (Fr, New Holstein) has the inside track on punting duties.
Stout opens Saturday, Sept. 10 at Wartburg College for a 6 p.m. contest. The Blue Devils stay on the road the following when they travel to Gustavus Adolphus College, Saturday, Sept. 17 with a 1 p.m. kickoff. Stout's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 24 when they host Crown College at 1 p.m.
The Blue Devils open the conference season by hosting UW-Eau Claire, Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. The Blue Devils will host UW-La Crosse, Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. for homecoming, then take to the road for two games. Stout will be at UW-Stevens Point, Saturday, Oct. 15, then will be at UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Oct. 22. Stout returns home to host UW-Platteville, Saturday, Oct. 29 and will host UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Nov. 5. Stout will close out the regular season at UW-River Falls, Saturday, Nov. 12.
