UMD Athletics

•2017 Team Captain•
AS A BULLDOG: 
2016: Collared 2016 All-NSIC first team recognition after placing third among Bulldogs in total tackles (a personal-best 47) and second -- to 2016 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year Beau Bates --  in both stops for a loss (14.0) and quarterback sacks (11.5) ... his 2016 resume also included a team-leading eight quarterback hurries and one defensive touchdown (off a fumble recovery against Mary in UMD's home finale) ... recorded a UMD 2016 single-game high 3.0 sacks in the regular season finale at St. Cloud State ... started all 12 games for the second successive fall.
2015: Experienced a break-out year -- his first as a starter ... ranked eighth on the club with 38 tackles while taking part and starting in each the club's 12 outings... 9.0 of his stops occurred behind the line of scrimmage ... also had 3.0 sacks and four quarterback hurries ... recorded the first blocked kick (an extra point attempt vs. Bemidji State on Nov. 7) of his Bulldog caree.
2014: Saw his stock rise with some spirited play down the stretch ... accrued most of his playing time on special teams and received spot assignments at outside linebacker ...  came away with nine total tackles on the year ... appeared in 13 of the club's 14 games ... pounced on a blocked punt in the Minnesota Crookston end zone for a touchdown that closed out the scoring in a 77-3 road rout of the Golden Eagles on Nov. 1.
2013: Was redshirted as a first-year freshman.
BEFORE UMD: Ranked third among all 2012 Wisconsin prep defensive backs in tackles en route to gaining a slot on the All-Valley Football Association South first team … captained Wisconsin Rapids High School as a senior -- along with fellow Bulldog incoming freshman Regis Henke -- under head coach Tony Biolo ... paced the 2012 Red Raiders in interceptions … also was a starter in basketball (shooting guard), netting all-conference honorable mention acclaim during his junior year.
PERSONAL: Is the son of Craig and Kay Bassuener ... is majoring in organizational management at UMD.
COLLEGIATE HIGHS: Total Tackles - 9 at Minnesota Crookston (10/29/16). Sacks - 3.0 at St. Cloud State (11/12/16). Tackles For Loss - 3.5 at St. Cloud State (11/12/16).