CHICAGO — A normally celebratory event had a somber tone Monday, as a pair of painful absences marked the opening of Big Ten media days.
Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler died in an automobile accident over the weekend in Wisconsin. Both beloved among their respective fan bases, the news of the accident reverberated into the conference’s official opening to the 2016 season.
Nebraska’s contingent — including coach Mike Riley and three Cornhuskers players — did not travel to Chicago as planned, instead electing to remain in Lincoln to grieve.
Michigan State is not set to meet with the media until today. In a statement released Sunday night, Nebraska’s athletic department said media availability will be held at a later date in Lincoln, Neb.
Most rival coaches who spoke Monday began by offering condolences to both families and both programs.
“Devastating to hear that news,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “I’ve been through that in my coaching career as well, and and I don’t think it’s something you’re ever prepared for or can handle.”
Sadler, 24, and Foltz, 22, were attending a kicking camp when Sadler lost control of the vehicle on a wet road and crashed. Medical authorities pronounced both dead at the scene.
Louisana State kicker Colby Delahoussaye, who was in the backseat, suffered injuries but was able to leave the hospital.
Foltz, who was due to be a senior this season, was the Big Ten punter of the year in 2015.
In a statement, Riley called Foltz “one of the best young men who I have ever had the honor to coach,” and called Foltz’s loss “immeasurable.”
“Sam was universally loved and respected by everyone he touched and on whom he had a positive influence each and every day,” Riley said.
Sadler was set to begin law school at Stanford in the fall. He became known to many college football fans through Twitter account, where his witty banter endeared him to strangers and friends alike.
“It was nearly impossible to have a conversation with u [sic] and not laugh at some point, and every other Spartan would say the same,” former Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook said in an Instagram post.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement that the entire league shared its sympathies with Michigan State and Nebraska.
“On behalf of the Big Ten, we greatly appreciate the enduring contributions made by these two young men, and our hearts go out to their families during this difficult time."
FRIENDLY RIVAL: Newly minted Rutgers coach Chris Ash fielded a question about the brewing rivalry between Michigan and Rutgers. UM slated a satellite camp in New Jersey this offseason, after which Rutgers set a camp on the same day and invited Ohio State’s coaching staff.
Ash, who served as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator for the past two seasons before taking over at Rutgers in December, previously denied his camp was in response to Michigan, yet fans and media alike watched the battle for one of the country’s top recruiting areas. Ash downplayed the budding East Division when asked.
“I’ll start by saying there’s no rivalry with Michigan yet,” Ash said. “They’ve done some things that we have not been able to do, and I think it’s great when fans get a chance in the offseason to talk about college football and have fun with college football.
“We’re going to work the best that we can here at Rutgers to create rivalries with everybody that we play.”
LOOKING AHEAD: Northwestern has a home game against Bowling Green next year at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill., and Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald explained the strategy behind filling future nonconference dates.
“Right now, and you can quote me on the year, but I’m not sure if that’s exact, but I don’t think I can do a home-and-home, or go to somebody’s building until 2027,” Fitzgerald said. “I’d really like to be the head coach then here, so all of our games we’re scheduling, all have to be at home. BG had an opening, it fit well, I’d like to play Mid-American [Conference] teams in a nonconference schedule. The natural geographic connection, and a lot of their players have connections to Chicago. That’s great for them, their programs, and their families.”
Northwestern opens at home Sept. 3 against Western Michigan, then hosts Bowling Green on Sept. 16, 2017.
A MERE OVERSIGHT: In his opening remarks, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald welcomed the Big Ten’s new football coaches, Chris Ash at Rutgers, D.J. Durkin at Maryland, and Tracy Claeys at Minnesota. One notable admission: Illinois’ Lovie Smith.
It’s unclear whether it was an oversight or a nod to the Illinois-Northwestern rivalry, but Fitzgerald took to Twitter to reach out to Smith.
“Hey @LovieSmith sorry I “fumbled” the presser-WELCOME TO THE @bigten my friend!! #B1GMediaDay,” Fitzgerald wrote.
WATCH LIST: Two Ohio State players and one Michigan player were named to the Big Ten’s 12-man preseason watch list, as voted by the media. UM linebacker Jabrill Peppers joined OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett and linebacker Raekwon McMillan from the East Division.
They join Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.
Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard and defensive back Desmond King, Northwestern running back Justin Jackson and linebacker Anthony Walker, and Wisconsin running back Corey Clement make up the West Division’s watch list.
BUCKEYES UP TODAY: Ohio State takes its turn in front of the media today in Chicago, beginning with coach Urban Meyer at the podium at 10:30 a.m. ET. Later in the day, quarterback J.T. Barrett, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, and center Pat Elflein will speak as OSU’s representatives.
First Published July 26, 2016, 4:30 a.m.
