Weber State University’s football starting quarterback Richie Muñoz, a sophomore from West Covina, California, has quickly established himself as a key player for the team. A standout at Charter Oak High School, Muñoz stepped into the starting role late in the 2023 season, leading the Wildcats to victories in their final three games as a freshman after taking over for starter Kylan Weisser.

His performance earned him recognition as the Big Sky Player of the Week, and he has continued to perform well as the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Following a tough loss to McNeese State, the Wildcats held a 2–3 record. Muñoz acknowledges the team’s recent struggles, especially in close games.

“We just gotta make the play at the end, pretty much. If we start off strong, it would have been a different kind of outcome,” Muñoz said.

The Wildcats’ defense has consistently been a strength, and Muñoz emphasizes the need for the offense to match that intensity. Although his numbers have dipped from last season, he remains confident in his ability to manage the game and provide a spark for the team.

“Not turning over the ball is huge. If we take care of the ball, we put our defense in good situations, and we’ll get the ball back with better field position,” Muñoz said.

Muñoz has completed 106 of 181 passes for 1,321 yards in 2024 with 13 touchdowns and just one interception. His passer rating stands at 142.5. Through his two years at Weber State, Muñoz has thrown for 2,375 yards and 23 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to lead the Wildcats’ offense effectively.

In addition to his passing stats, Muñoz has also shown his ability on the ground, rushing 40 times for 97 yards and scoring one rushing touchdown this season. During his career, he has rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating his versatility as a quarterback.

“Last season, a lot of the seniors helped me out. This offseason, I worked hard with the offense to prepare for this year and to become a better leader,” Muñoz said.

This season, Muñoz began conference play with a convincing 43–16 victory over Portland State, where he threw for 219 yards and a touchdown while also contributing on the ground.

Muñoz’s breakout performance came during a thrilling 55–48 overtime victory against eighth-ranked Montana this last Saturday. He set career highs, completing 19 of 28 passes for 364 yards and six touchdowns. The Wildcats scored a field goal as time expired to force overtime, where Muñoz threw a touchdown pass to Bankston and the defense sealed the game with a fumble recovery.

“If we play our game, I really believe we’re one of the top teams in the conference,” Muñoz said ahead of an important matchup against Montana.

With the Wildcats now 3–3 overall and 2–0 in Big Sky play, the Wildcats prepare for their next challenge at home Oct. 12 against the University of Northern Colorado.

“Weber is really a family culture,” Muñoz said. “We have amazing relationships with each other, which makes it a great place to be.”

Career Stats Overview:
Passing:
Completions: 196
Attempts: 328
Completion Percentage: 59.8%
Passing Yards: 2,375
Touchdowns: 23
Interceptions: 2
Passer Rating: 142.5
Rushing:
Carries: 70
Rushing Yards: 190
Rushing Touchdowns: 3
Scoring:
Total Touchdowns: 26
Points: 156