Sometimes it takes a tragedy to bring out the best in sports. The continued tributes to Sam Foltz, the Nebraska punter killed in a July car accident along with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler, are restoring some faith in college football after a rough offseason.
Two weeks after Oregon honored Foltz by placing a green-and-yellow wreath at the 27-yard line (Foltz wore No. 27 for the Huskers) at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium, Illinois made its own gracious gesture before Saturday's game in Lincoln.
Illinois long snapper Michael Martin presented Nebraska's specialists with an Illinois jersey emblazoned with "Foltz" on the back and signed by Illini players and coaches.