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B1G Media Days Rewind: Remembering Foltz, Sadler

Lindyssports.com Staff

July 25, 2016 at 6:57 pm.

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers punter Sam Foltz (27) punts during the second quarter against the USC Trojans in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Photo Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers punter Sam Foltz (27) punts during the second quarter against the USC Trojans in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Photo Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO – There was a somber mood Monday during what normally are festive Big Ten Football Media Days.

Late Saturday night, Nebraska senior punter Sam Foltz, who led the Big Ten in punting last season with a 44.2-yard average, and former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler were killed in an automobile accident in Wisconsin after giving instruction at a kicking camp.

Foltz earned the Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year award for 2015 and was picked as the preseason Big Ten punter of the year by almost every college football publication or web site.

Sadler was driving a vehicle on wet pavement and lost control.

“We join the Nebraska and Michigan State communities in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families, teammates, coaches, administrators and friends who have been impacted by the tragic loss of Sam Foltz and Mike Sadler,” Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said Monday.

“While we are deeply saddened by their untimely loss, we also recognize the impact they had and the success they achieved as students, athletes, citizens and representatives of their respective communities and institutions.”

Nebraska coach Mike Riley and players Tommy Armstrong, Jr., Josh Banderas and Jordan Westerkamp were scheduled to participate in Monday’s session with media members at the McCormick Place Hyatt Regency, but because of Foltz’ death, Riley and his players remained in Lincoln, Neb., to mourn with fellow teammates.

Michigan State is scheduled to take part in Tuesday’s session, which will include Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Maryland, Indiana and Illinois.

We at Lindy’s wish our condolences to the families and friends of Foltz and Sadler — and to the Nebraska and Michigan State programs.

HARBAUGH’S WORLD: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who went 10-3 in his first season at his alma mater including a 41-7 Citrus Bowl victory against Florida, continues to make news away from the playing field.

Harbaugh, whose Wolverines are expected to challenge Ohio State for the top spot in the Big Ten East, had fun recently participating in a Rap video.

“My default usually is to say yes,” Harbaugh said. “The reaction has been very good. I’ve gotten multiple texts, phone calls and comments from people who really like it. I think the cool people like it.”

Speaking of cool people, Michael Jordan has agreed to be Michigan’s honorary captain for the Wolverines’ Sept. 3 opener against Hawaii in Ann Arbor.

“I will be proud and honored to share a sideline with Michael Jordan,” Harbaugh said.

A DAY AT A TIME: With news continuing to develop about former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky’s alleged abuse of youth while working for Joe Paterno, current Nittany Lions coach James Franklin and his staff are working hard to overcome the recruiting obstacles.

Some high school players want nothing to do with Penn State because of the ugly stories circulating about Sandusky’s time as a Paterno staff member.

“There are very high expectations for Penn State football,” Franklin said. “But with this situation, you have to have a plan in place, because people want to understand. The Big Ten and the NCAA have been very supportive.”

Penn State has compiled a 7-6 record in each of the past two seasons but ended 2015 with a four-game losing streak, including a 24-17 loss to Georgia in the Taxslayer Bowl.

UNIQUE PROBLEM: With the university still on an academic quarters’ system, Northwestern football players do not begin fall classes until late September. That sequence is just before a brutal October schedule that will include road games at Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State, along with an Oct. 22 home game against Indiana, which begins classes on Aug. 22.

“October certainly is going to be a challenge for us,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We will address it in preseason camp, and then we won’t talk about it again until October.”

NEW COACH, NEW QB? First-year Rutgers coach Chris Ash, a former Ohio State assistant, takes over a program that will have four quarterbacks battling for the starting job when camp begins in August.

Ash said Monday that Zach Allen, a transfer from TCU, will be given every chance to win the job.

“When I interviewed for this job, I wanted to know if Rutgers simply wanted to be in the Big Ten, or if Rutgers wanted to compete for championships,” Ash said. “I got the answers I wanted to hear.”

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