Crash kills Nebraska punter, former Michigan St. punter

WAUKESHA, WIS. >> Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler have died in a car crash in Wisconsin after coaching at a kicking clinic, a sheriff’s department official said Sunday. Louisiana State’s kicker was injured in the crash.

Waukesha County Sheriff’s Lt. Thom Moerman said speed was likely a factor in the single-vehicle crash that happened around 11:45 p.m. Saturday.

The 24-year-old Sadler, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was driving. He and 22-year-old Foltz, of Greeley, Nebraska, both died. LSU kicker, 21-year-old Colby Delahoussaye, was also a passenger and was injured in the crash.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln said Sunday the team will skip this week’s planned Big Ten media days in Chicago because of Foltz’s death. Officials with Michigan State didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Foltz was a three-year starter for the Nebraska team and last year he was named the Big Ten’s punter of the year. Foltz graduated from Nebraska with a degree in agronomy in May.

Nebraska Coach Mike Riley said Foltz was respected on the team, and had a positive influence on everyone he interacted with. Foltz’ friends gathered outside the stadium in Lincoln Sunday afternoon for a prayer vigil.

“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 said.