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Sam Koch

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This article is about the NFL punter. For the American soccer coach, see Sam Koch (soccer). For the German actor, see Samuel Koch.

Sam Koch
refer to caption
Koch with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015
Baltimore Ravens
Position:Special teams consultant
Personal information
Born: (1982-08-13) August 13, 1982 (age 42)
York, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:Seward (Seward, Nebraska)
College:Nebraska (2002–2005)
NFL draft:2006 / round: 6 / pick: 203
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Punts:1,168
Punting yards:52,868
Average punt:45.3
Longest punt:74 yards
Inside 20:453
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Samuel David Koch (/kʊk/ KUUK;[1] born August 13, 1982) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 16-year career as a punter for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is known for developing many punting variations, revolutionizing his position in the process.[2]

Early life

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Koch attended Seward High School in Seward, Nebraska and played punter, kicker, tight end, offensive lineman, fullback, and linebacker for Coach Greg Welch and the football team.[3] Along with football, Koch played basketball, baseball, and soccer.

College career

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Koch walked on to the Nebraska football team, where he played punter, and later would receive a scholarship before the start of the 2004 season.[4] He did not see game action as a redshirt freshman in 2002, but served as the backup punter. As a sophomore in 2003, he backed up Kyle Larson at punter, but did not attempt a punt. Koch was Nebraska’s punter from 2004–05 after holding kickoff duties for 7 games in 2003. He was named to the 2005 2nd-team Academic All-Big 12 squad and the 2005 Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring and Fall Academic Honor Roll. He racked up a career-punting average of 44.1 yards (with 56 kicks inside the 20 and a long of 84 yards). As a senior, Koch put together the best campaign ever at his position in school history, as he broke the single-season punting average mark with a 46.5-yard average in 2005. The 2005 average bested the previous record of 45.1 yards per punt by former Bengals punter Kyle Larson in 2003. Koch’s average ranked second nationally and helped Nebraska to a No. 2 national ranking in net punting (39.9 avg.) As a senior, he was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. In his collegiate finale in the 2005 Alamo Bowl, Koch posted a 51.5-yard average on 8 punts against Michigan, including 5 punts over 50 yards each.[5] He connected on at least 1 punt of 50 yards or more in 8 of 11 contests and surpassed the 48-yard barrier in every single game. He was the Huskers’ kickoff specialist for the 2nd half of the season and 18 of his 32 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. In his final 6 games, opponents had just 10 returns totaling 165 yards.[6] In December 2005, he earned a degree in business administration.[7]

College statistics

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Year School Conf Class Pos G Punts Yds Avg
2004 Nebraska Big 12 JR P 11 63 2,600 41.3
2005 Nebraska Big 12 SR P 12 71 3,302 46.5
Career Nebraska 134 5,902 44.0

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 1+1⁄8 in
(1.86 m) 		233 lb
(106 kg)
All values from Pro Day[8]
Koch at training camp in 2009

Koch was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (203rd overall) of the 2006 NFL draft.[9] In his rookie season, he played in all 16 regular season games, punting 86 times for 3,695 yards and placing 30 of those inside the 20 which ranked fourth in the NFL.[10] He made his NFL debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 10.[11]

In the 2007 season, Koch finished with 78 punts for 3,397 net yards for a 43.55 average.[12]

In the 2008 season, Koch led the NFL in punts inside the 10 yard line. In Week 16, against the Dallas Cowboys, he completed his first career professional pass for nine yards.[13] Overall, on the season, he totaled 84 punts for 3,777 net yards for a 44.96 average.[14]

In the 2009 season, Koch finished with 73 punts for 3,188 net yards for a 43.67 average.[15]

A restricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Koch signed his one-year, $1.545 million tender offer on March 27.

In the 2010 season, Koch finished with 82 punts for 3,530 net yards for a 43.05 average. In addition, he completed a 13-yard pass in a game against the Miami Dolphins.[16][17]

After an outstanding 2010 season, Koch was named to the 2010 All-Fundamentals Team by USA Football and the NFL Players Association.[18]

In the 2011 season, Koch finished with 73 punts for 3,393 net yards for a 46.48 average.[19]

During the 2012 season, Koch scored his first touchdown on a fake field goal in a Week 10 55–20 win over the Oakland Raiders on November 11, 2012. Koch was the holder on the play. Overall, he finished the 2012 season with 83 punts for 3,911 yards for a 47.42 average.[20][21] Koch got his first championship title as the Ravens won against the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Koch made key contributions on the final two plays of the Super Bowl, first scrambling in his own end zone to burn time off the clock before taking an elective safety with four seconds remaining. On the next play, he converted a 60-yard free-kick which left the 49ers well outside field goal range and allowed the clock to run out after the ball was fielded.[22]

In the 2013 season, Koch finished with 90 punts for 4,138 net yards for a 45.98 average.[23]

In the 2014 season, Koch finished with 60 punts for 2,841 yards for a 47.35 average.[24]

On July 9, 2015, Koch was re-signed by the Ravens on a five-year, $16.25 million contract, making him one of the highest paid punters in the NFL.[25] Overall, in the 2015 season, he finished with 74 punts for 3,454 net yards for a 46.68 average.[26]

In Week 12 of the 2016 season, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Koch was involved in a strategic maneuver similar to his Super Bowl XLVII play at the end of the game. With the Ravens leading 19–12 with 11 seconds remaining in the game on their own 23-yard line, Koch fielded the ball and ran back 23 yards to his own endzone to take an intentional safety and run the clock out. The play was a success and the Ravens won 19–14.[27][28] Overall, in the 2016 season, he finished with 80 punts for 3,665 net yards for a 45.81 average.[29]

In Week 12 of the 2017 season, Koch completed a 22-yard pass to Chris Moore on a fake punt play, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[30] In Week 15, Koch punted five times for an average over 43 yards, with four punts landing inside the 20-yard line, earning him his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week this season.[31] Overall, in the 2017 season, he finished with 84 punts for 3,765 net yards for a 44.82 average.[32]

In the 2018 season, Koch had 60 total punts for 2,842 net yards for a 47.37 average, which ranked fourth in the league.[33][34]

In the 2019 season, Koch had 40 total punts for 1,855 net yards for a 46.38 average.[35]

On March 18, 2020, Koch signed a two-year contract extension with the Ravens through the 2022 season.[36] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 30, 2020,[37] and activated on January 9, 2021.[38]

On September 26, 2021, Koch was the holder for placekicker Justin Tucker when the latter broke the NFL record for the longest field goal in history, kicking a 66-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Detroit Lions 19–17.[39]

As a passer, Koch was 7/8 passing for 82 yards in his NFL career.[40]

On May 19, 2022, Koch announced his retirement from football, spending all his 16 years with the Ravens.[41]

Coaching career

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After retiring as a player, Koch joined the Ravens staff as a special teams consultant.[42]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Year Team GP Punting Off. Def.
Punts Yds Avg Lng Blk Yds Cmb
2006 BAL 16 86 3,695 43.0 61 0 0 2
2007 BAL 16 78 3,397 43.6 64 1 0 2
2008 BAL 16 84 3,777 45.0 74 0 9 2
2009 BAL 16 73 3,188 43.7 60 1 0 0
2010 BAL 16 81 3,530 43.6 60 0 13 1
2011 BAL 16 73 3,393 46.5 63 0 0 1
2012 BAL 16 83 3,911 47.1 60 0 17 2
2013 BAL 16 90 4,138 46.0 69 1 0 1
2014 BAL 16 60 2,841 47.4 73 1 0 0
2015 BAL 16 74 3,454 46.7 67 0 7 1
2016 BAL 16 80 3,665 45.8 68 0 −23 1
2017 BAL 16 84 3,765 44.8 67 1 38 0
2018 BAL 16 60 2,842 47.4 65 1 21 1
2019 BAL 16 40 1,855 46.4 62 1 −2 2
2020 BAL 15 51 2,268 44.5 59 0 15 0
2021 BAL 17 71 3,149 44.4 61 0 0 1
Career 256 1,168 52,868 45.3 74 7 92 17

Ravens franchise records

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  • Most career punt yards: 52,868 yards[43]
  • Longest career punt: 74 yards[43]
  • Highest career yards per punt average: 45.3 yards[43]
  • Most games played: 256 games[44]

References

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  1. ^ "Baltimore Ravens 2011 Media Guide" (PDF). RavensPR. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  2. ^ Seifert, Kevin (December 15, 2015). "Sam Koch has changed the punting game -- and almost no one noticed". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Croston, Stephanie (February 5, 2013). "Seward native contributes to Ravens' championship". Seward County Independent. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  4. ^ "Sam Koch College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  5. ^ "Alamo Bowl – Nebraska vs Michigan Box Score, December 28, 2005". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  6. ^ "Sam Koch 2005 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  7. ^ Broadwater, Jennifer (November 6, 2013). "The Ravens' Sam Koch discusses family and holidays". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "Sam Koch, Nebraska, P, 2006 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  9. ^ "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  10. ^ "Sam Koch 2006 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  11. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 10th, 2006". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "Sam Koch 2007 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  13. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys – December 20th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  14. ^ "Sam Koch 2008 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  15. ^ "Sam Koch 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  16. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens – November 7th, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  17. ^ "Sam Koch 2010 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  18. ^ Mink, Ryan (December 23, 2010). "Koch, Ngata Named To All-Fundamentals Team". Blogs.BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  19. ^ "Sam Koch 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  20. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens – November 11th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  21. ^ "Sam Koch 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  22. ^ "Super Bowl XLVII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens – February 3rd, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  23. ^ "Sam Koch 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  24. ^ "Sam Koch 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  25. ^ Wesseling, Chris (July 9, 2015). "Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens reach five-year extension". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  26. ^ "Sam Koch 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  27. ^ Boren, Cindy (November 27, 2016). "The Ravens intentionally held nine players, took a safety to win. The NFL is okay with it". Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  28. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens – November 27th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  29. ^ "Sam Koch 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  30. ^ Shook, Nick (November 30, 2017). "Philip Rivers, Phil Dawson lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  31. ^ Lam, Quang M. (December 20, 2017). "Rob Gronkowski, Gurley among Players of the Week". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  32. ^ "Sam Koch 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  33. ^ "Sam Koch 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  34. ^ "2018 NFL Kicking & Punting". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  35. ^ "Sam Koch 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  36. ^ Shaffer, Jonas (March 18, 2020). "Ravens sign punter Sam Koch to two-year contract extension". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  37. ^ Mink, Ryan (December 30, 2020). "Ravens Place Punter Sam Koch on Reserve/COVID-19 List". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  38. ^ Mink, Ryan (January 9, 2021). "Ravens Activate Sam Koch, Place Ben Bredeson on Injured Reserve". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  39. ^ Hensley, Jamison (September 26, 2021). "Ravens' Tucker wins game on record 66-yard FG". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  40. ^ Werner, Barry (October 4, 2020). "Ravens' punter Sam Koch is 7-for-7 passing in his career". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  41. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 19, 2022). "After 16 Years as a Raven, Sam Koch Is Retiring". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  42. ^ Mink, Ryan (May 19, 2022). "Sam Koch Joins Ravens Coaching Staff After Retirement". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  43. ^ a b c "Baltimore Ravens Career Kicking & Punting Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  44. ^ Shaffer, Jonas (May 19, 2022). "Sam Koch, a 'revolutionary' punter and the Ravens' longest-tenured player, retires after 16 seasons". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
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