With the Cornhuskers facing their first punt of the season at their own 31-yard line, head coach Mike Riley lined up only ten players on the field, leaving the punter position empty.
The Huskers were well aware that they would receive a delay in game penalty, but wanted to honor the late Foltz in what would have been the first game of his final season with the team.
And as a token of good sportsmanship, Fresno State declined the penalty as the appreciative Nebraska home crowd of more than 90,000 cheered for both teams.
"He will forever be in the hearts and minds of Husker fans"#RIP27— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 4, 2016
(via @BigTenNetwork)https://t.co/90d9Si59yH
After the cheers subsided, freshman Caleb Lightbourn took the field and delivered a 29-yard punt.
Foltz, a 22-year-old senior and three year starter for the team, died on July 23 in a car crash in rural Wisconsin after attending a kicking clinic. He was riding in a vehicle driven by Michigan State punter Mike Sadler, who also died in the crash, and Louisiana State kicker Colby Delahoussaye, who was left with minor injuries.
As tributes, Foltz's No. 27 jersey was hung on the team's bench and also in the student section while a sign in the stadium read, "A Season for Sam."
The team's coaches wore patches with the logo "SF27" — another tribute that will also be featured on the Huskers' helmets all season.
The Cornhuskers went on to defeat the gracious Bulldogs, 43-10.
