Sam Koch

The Ray Guy Award semifinalist became a catalyst behind Nebraska's improved special teams in 2005, putting together the finest punting season in school history. Koch averaged 46.51 yards per punt in 2005, breaking the Nebraska single-season punting average record of 45.12 yards per punt by Ray Guy Award finalist Kyle Larson in 2003. Koch waited patiently for Larson to graduate before taking over Nebraska's punting duties the past two years. Koch averaged 41.3 yards on 63 punts in 2004, with 15 of his attempts downed inside the 20-yard line. In two seasons as the team's punter, Koch had 134 attempts for 5,902, as his 44.04-yard average rank second in school history. Fourty-one of his punts were for 50 yards or longer, including seven for longer than 60 yards and three longer than 70. He had 56 of his attempts downed inside the 20-yard line and 23 others result in fair catches. He finished with a 40.93-yard net average.

positives

Outstanding directional punter who has a very powerful leg...Has the athletic skills and sure hands to adjust quickly to the off-target snaps... Shows a keen knack for having his attempts downed inside the 20-yard line (only 10 touchbacks in the last 134 attempts)...Conventional right-footed kicker who has the quickness to run with the ball on fake punt attempts...His leg explodes into the ball, driving it deep consistently...Gets good rise, distance, hang time and trajectory behind his kicks...Handles the ball flawlessly, even in poor weather conditions...Very focused player who is very cool under pressure...Has the quickness to be a dangerous threat running on fake punt attempts...His speed allows him to quickly get up field to lend support to the coverage unit.

negatives

Appears methodical in his approach (2 ½-step)...While he gets good height on his kicks, he will occasionally hit some line drives...Needs to develop better consistency with his hang time...Needs to speed up his release to prevent his kicks from being blocked.

Attended Seward (Neb.) High School, playing football for head coach Greg Welch

Handled punting and kicking duties, and also lined up at fullback, tight end, linebacker and offensive line

Averaged 41.5 yards per punt as a senior and also led the team in tackles to help the Blue Jays to the Class B quarterfinals

Played in the Shrine Bowl as a kicker, punter and fullback and was a super-state selection as a senior by the Lincoln Journal Star

Three-time all-conference pick and helped Seward to state semifinal appearances in his sophomore and junior seasons

Also lettered in basketball and soccer.

Graduated in December 2005 with a degree in Business Administration

Named to the 2005 Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll

Son of Dave and Cindy Koch, He and his wife, Nikki, were married in May and have two children, Ryan, 6, and Braxtyn, 14 months

Born 8/13/82

Resides in Seward, Nebraska.