Remembering Foltz
- Thread starter The Murphinator
- Start date
GSG
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The Nebraska walk-ons who carry on Sam Foltz's legacy
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Five years ago, Nebraska coaches finalized a recruiting class that featured the likes of quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., who seems to be setting career records weekly, and prolific receiver Jordan Westerkamp.
As a footnote to the 2012 class, the Cornhuskers announced the addition of 18 walk-ons, a group that grew in the offseason to include 10 players who earned scholarships. Defensive end Ross Dzuris, tight end Trey Foster, quarterback Ryker Fyfe, running back Graham Nabity, receiver Brandon Reilly, linebacker Brad Simpson and center Dylan Utter remain as fifth-year seniors, contributing to a team with a chance to win 11 games for the first time at Nebraska in 15 years.
Gone from the collection of former walk-ons are Andy Janovich, a rookie fullback with the Denver Broncos, receiver Lane Hovey and All-Big Ten punter Sam Foltz, who died July 23 in an auto accident after attending a kicking camp in Wisconsin.
The image of Foltz shines brightly in the minds of his former teammates this week.
Together, they extended a meaningful legacy as perhaps the most accomplished class of walk-ons at a school rich in walk-on tradition.
When the No. 18 Huskers host Maryland on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, the seven seniors and Foltz will be honored before the home crowd as their stories -- touched by triumph and tragedy -- near a close in Lincoln.
Here's a look at the highs and lows of the journey, as told by those who experienced it:
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Five years ago, Nebraska coaches finalized a recruiting class that featured the likes of quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., who seems to be setting career records weekly, and prolific receiver Jordan Westerkamp.
As a footnote to the 2012 class, the Cornhuskers announced the addition of 18 walk-ons, a group that grew in the offseason to include 10 players who earned scholarships. Defensive end Ross Dzuris, tight end Trey Foster, quarterback Ryker Fyfe, running back Graham Nabity, receiver Brandon Reilly, linebacker Brad Simpson and center Dylan Utter remain as fifth-year seniors, contributing to a team with a chance to win 11 games for the first time at Nebraska in 15 years.
Gone from the collection of former walk-ons are Andy Janovich, a rookie fullback with the Denver Broncos, receiver Lane Hovey and All-Big Ten punter Sam Foltz, who died July 23 in an auto accident after attending a kicking camp in Wisconsin.
The image of Foltz shines brightly in the minds of his former teammates this week.
Together, they extended a meaningful legacy as perhaps the most accomplished class of walk-ons at a school rich in walk-on tradition.
When the No. 18 Huskers host Maryland on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, the seven seniors and Foltz will be honored before the home crowd as their stories -- touched by triumph and tragedy -- near a close in Lincoln.
Here's a look at the highs and lows of the journey, as told by those who experienced it:
GSG
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How college football made sure Sam Foltz would not be forgotten
Not even two minutes into Nebraska’s season-opening game against Fresno State, the Huskers faced a routine, yet rather emotional moment: Their first punt.
To be more precise, their first punt since their punter, Sam Foltz, had been killed in a car crash during the summer with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler.
The Huskers lined up in punt formation with just 10 players; they were and would always be missing one. They took a delay-of-game penalty. As Nebraska players cried and some pointed to the sky, Fresno State players on the field began to clap. The Memorial Stadium crowd roared. And in a display of supreme sportsmanship, Fresno State declined the penalty.
Not even two minutes into Nebraska’s season-opening game against Fresno State, the Huskers faced a routine, yet rather emotional moment: Their first punt.
To be more precise, their first punt since their punter, Sam Foltz, had been killed in a car crash during the summer with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler.
The Huskers lined up in punt formation with just 10 players; they were and would always be missing one. They took a delay-of-game penalty. As Nebraska players cried and some pointed to the sky, Fresno State players on the field began to clap. The Memorial Stadium crowd roared. And in a display of supreme sportsmanship, Fresno State declined the penalty.
