​MENOMONIE — The starting quarterback has been one of the most stable positions at UW-Stout Polytechnic over recent years.From 2018 to 2025, the Blue Devils used just three different starters in their backfield.Sean Borgerding first took over the reins in 2018 and became the school’s all-time passing leader in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns in four years starting.Mitch Waechter threw for 24 touchdown passes and 2,795 yards in his lone year at the helm in 2023.Adam Moen took his turn in 2024 and 2025, leading Stout to become one of the top offenses in the WIAC and win the 2025 Culver’s Isthmus Bowl.In 2026, the responsibility falls on freshman transfer Chase Pemberton, who through two games, has already impressed Stout coach Clayt Birmingham.“He’s going to continue to improve,” Birmingham said. “You got to understand that he’s a freshman and he’s only played two college football games. For that, we think he’s doing pretty well.”Pemberton transferred to Stout after previously being with Division II Concordia University, St. Paul.“I reached out to our quarterback coach (Kobe Berghammer),” Pemberton said. “He kind of made it known that he wanted to get to know me personally, and I really appreciated that. I came on my visit, and they walked me through the offense, showed me what I could bring to the table and what they could offer me.“I just loved it ever since I visited here.”Pemberton beat out senior Jacob Royse, who he shares a trainer with, and junior Evan Freking, who he grew up playing baseball against, for the Stout starting role.“I felt ready for sure,” Pemberton said. “I put a lot of time in the off season, so I felt prepared.”He’s shown glimpses of why he earned Birmingham’s trust in his first two games.Pemberton threw for 564 passing yards and four touchdowns in two games, good enough to place him third in yards and fourth in touchdowns in the WIAC.His overall promise, along with some of his faults, showed in Stout’s 37-34 win over Augustana College (Ill.) last Saturday.Pemberton started the game 10-of-18 with 247 passing yards and three touchdowns, each finding senior wide receiver Davonte Evans in the first quarter.Pemberton said Evans was the first person he connected with upon getting to Menomonie.In the months since, the pair have developed as strong a chemistry as any on the Blue Devils.“We’ve sort of built that friendship over the little less than a year that I’ve been here,” Pemberton said. “I think that plays a big factor in how we play on the field.”“It helps us a lot because if your number one receiver and your quarterback don’t get along or (are) not on the same page, then it’s gonna go downhill,” Evans said. “Since we own it, he knows exactly where I want the ball, and I know exactly where he’s gonna throw the ball. Everything just falls into place and comes in slow motion for us.”After the first half, however, Pemberton went just 6-of-17 for 6