If the game show Family Feud asked the question “Top four answers on the board, name something that is reliable,” the answers might be; the sun coming up, a good dog, a Swiss watch, and Dave Ungerer III.
The 30-year-old receiver is having a career year, catching 25 passes for 330 yards with 3 touchdowns. Pro-rated over an 18-game schedule he’d finish with 90 catches for 1,188 yards with 11 touchdowns, each shattering his previous highs of 53 catches, 653 yards – each set last year – and 3 touchdowns, which was set in 2023.
“It sounds like a productive year,” Ungerer said with a laugh when informed of those numbers by Argonauts.ca. “I’ve always felt the 1,000-yard mark is not just a milestone as far as an actual statistical accomplishment, but it’s also a symbol of consistency. To me, I like the phrase ‘consistency is the best measurement of greatness.”
That steadiness of performance is a vital component of the Pullman, Washington native’s arsenal. He leads the Argos with 25 catches, with his 35 targets just 3 shy of Damonte Coxie’s team high 38. Best known for his flawless comeback routes, he’s increased his presence in the offence in head coach Mike Miller’s system.
“Coach Mike has definitely put me in positions to be the primary read more than I’ve experienced in the past,” Ungerer explained. “I take great pride in having great chemistry with all of my quarterbacks, no matter who’s in. Obviously, Chad (Kelly) and I have had a really good connection and chemistry since Day One, when I got here in ’23. It’s great to have him back, I feel like my level of play goes up when he’s in there.”
Ungerer is quick to credit Miller for the added targets. But crediting coaches is something that comes easily to the player, as his father, David Jr., spent three decades coaching in the NCAA, including stops at Alabama, Missouri, and Maryland, with perhaps his most interesting stop being at Cal. It was there that he helped convince a junior college quarterback named Aaron Rodgers to become a Golden Bear.
It’s natural for a player from a football family to see the game through a coach’s eye. When asked if moving the hash marks closer to the middle of the field in 2022 has contributed to his “Z” receiver spot – the receiver furthest from the quarterback on the wide side of the field – seeing a few more footballs, Ungerer III was clinical in his response.
“I haven’t necessarily seen a lot of direct impact from the hashes moving in,” he explained. “But I think you’ve really seen, since I came to the league, the “Z” being more involved in the offence. When I first came in it was standard for the “Z” to be the last option, either a checkdown or a lot of runoff stuff to open up other guys. You’ve seen offences throughout the league have that player be more of an impact, and I think the quality of receiver has gone up since I’ve been in this league.
“I think this is probably the best I’ve ever seen, definitely at the Canadian receiver position, there’s so many quality players in our league right now, so you’ve got to try an involve everybody.”
Ungerer and company will try to continue their offensive success this Saturday in Hamilton, the team that made him their second-round pick in the 2019 draft, and for whom he played his first three seasons.
When asked if enough time has passed to make this just another game, the receiver was again straightforward with his reply.
“No. I mean, there’s always some personal feelings involved in this game. Not only because of my history with the team, but also our history against them since I’ve been here. Also, I have a lot of great relationships built with the people over there, a lot of great friends. There’s always a personal agenda when it comes to playing the Ticats.”
He’s not alone. Games between Ungerer’s current and former teams always bring out the best and worst in both teams. For Argos fans, Saturday’s game is the first to see the Boatmen this season in the GTHA after starting the season with five straight road games, the closest of them played in Ottawa.