University of St. Thomas Athletics
10/20/2026 12:28:00 PM | Football
ST. PAUL, MINN. – There isn't much redshirt freshman Nick Peipert (Barrington, Ill. / Barrington) hasn't accomplished in his first season on the field with the University of St. Thomas. The four-time Pioneer Football League (PFL) Freshman of the Week was named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List Tuesday afternoon.
The Jerry Rice Award is given annually to the top freshman in FCS football as part of Stats Perform FCS National Awards. Named after the Hall of Fame wide receiver and former Mississippi Valley State star, the Jerry Rice Award Watch List includes 30 true and redshirt freshmen representing every FCS conference. A national media panel will select the award winner from a group of finalists following the regular season.
Peipert is the second Tommie in the Division I era to land on the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, joining former St. Thomas quarterback Tak Tateoka.
THE PEIPERT FILE
- Four-time PFL Freshman of the Week (Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 12)
- Two-time PFL Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 13, Oct. 12)
- Appeared in six games this season with five starts
- Tallied 1141 passing yards in six games and a passing efficiency rating of 170.66
- Recorded 11 passing and six rushing touchdowns this season
- Leads the PFL and FCS in passing yards per completion (16.85)
- Ranks first in the PFL and sixth in FCS in passing efficiency
- Helped St. Thomas rank No. 1 in the PFL in scoring (260), points per game (37.1), total yards (3095), total touchdowns (32), and average offensive yards per game (442.1)
- Tommies rank second in the nation in passing yards per completion (15.25) and 12th in scoring offense (37.1)
- First freshman in the DI era to throw for over 200 yards multiple times in one season
- Redshirted in 2025 to preserve a season of eligibility
- 2025 PFL Academic Honor Roll member
