Cornhuskers punter Sam Foltz killed in car crash
— -- Nebraska punter Sam Foltz died in a car crash Saturday night while returning from a kicking camp in Wisconsin, the school announced.
Foltz had been serving as a student instructor at the National Invitational Scholarship Camp in Wales, Wisconsin, according to a camp spokesman.
"Last night, we lost one of the best young men who I have ever had the honor to coach and who has ever worn the Nebraska uniform," Nebraska coach Mike Riley said in a statement. "Sam was universally loved and respected by everyone he touched and on whom he had a positive influence each and every day. His tragic loss is immeasurable to his family, his friends, his classmates, his teammates and his coaches and our thoughts and prayers are with all of them. The young men in our football program are hurting but I know that their strength of character and resolve will bring us together and we will honor Sam every day moving forward."
Riley and Tommy Armstrong Jr., Josh Banderas and Jordan Westerkamp will not participate in Big Ten media days scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Chicago, Nebraska announced.
Foltz, 22, punted for Nebraska for each of the past three seasons. He won the Big Ten's punter of the year award last fall and was on the Ray Guy Award watch list for the best punter in the country this summer.
He averaged 44.2 yards per punt last season and had 50 career punts of 50 yards or longer.
Foltz also won Nebraska's Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award in 2016 and was a four-time member of the university's scholar-athlete honor roll.
"Our prayers of love and support go out to Sam's family during this difficult time and we will do all that we can to help comfort them in this time of sadness," Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst said in a statement. "Sam was truly a tremendous young man, who represented everything that a Nebraska student, athlete, teammate and friend should strive to be. While his loss is devastating, his impact will be felt forever. Along with Coach Riley, our focus is on providing Sam's family, teammates and friends with the critical support and love that they need at this time."
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