Sam Koch
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1982)}}
{{about|the NFL punter|the American soccer coach|Sam Koch (soccer)|the German actor|Samuel Koch}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Sam Koch
| image = Sam Koch 2015.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Koch with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015
| number =
| position = Special teams consultant
| current_team =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|8|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place = York, Nebraska, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 222
| high_school = Seward {{nowrap|(Seward, Nebraska)}}
| college = Nebraska (2002–2005)
| draftyear = 2006
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 203
| pastteams =
| pastcoaching =
- Baltimore Ravens (2022–2024)
Special teams consultant
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Punts
| statvalue1 = 1,168
| statlabel2 = Punting yards
| statvalue2 = 52,868
| statlabel3 = Average punt
| statvalue3 = 45.3
| statlabel4 = Longest punt
| statvalue4 = 74 yards
| statlabel5 = Inside 20
| statvalue5 = 453
| pfr = K/KochSa20
}}
Samuel David Koch ({{IPAc-en|k|ʊ|k}} {{Respell|KUUK}};{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens 2011 Media Guide |url=http://www.ravenspr.com/media_guide/BALTIMORE_RAVENS_MEDIA_GUIDE_2011.pdf |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=RavensPR |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224210635/http://www.ravenspr.com/media_guide/BALTIMORE_RAVENS_MEDIA_GUIDE_2011.pdf |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=December 15, 2015 |title=Sam Koch has changed the punting game -- and almost no one noticed |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/191948/sam-koch-has-changed-the-punting-game-and-almost-no-one-noticed |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102181700/https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/191948/sam-koch-has-changed-the-punting-game-and-almost-no-one-noticed |url-status=live }}
Early life
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.{{Cite web |last=Croston |first=Stephanie |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Seward native contributes to Ravens' championship |url=https://www.sewardindependent.com/news/local_news/seward-native-contributes-to-ravens-championship/article_09965406-6fc1-11e2-b83e-0019bb30f31a.html |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Seward County Independent |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207150720/https://www.sewardindependent.com/news/local_news/seward-native-contributes-to-ravens-championship/article_09965406-6fc1-11e2-b83e-0019bb30f31a.html |url-status=live }} Along with football, Koch played basketball, baseball, and soccer.
College career
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.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-koch-1.html |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321152801/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-koch-1.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Alamo Bowl – Nebraska vs Michigan Box Score, December 28, 2005 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2005-12-28-michigan.html |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091611/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2005-12-28-michigan.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-koch-1/gamelog/2005/ |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091746/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-koch-1/gamelog/2005/ |url-status=live }} In December 2005, he earned a degree in business administration.{{Cite news |last=Broadwater |first=Jennifer |date=November 6, 2013 |title=The Ravens' Sam Koch discusses family and holidays |language=en-US |work=Baltimore Sun |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/maryland-family/bal-at-home-with-the-ravens-sam-koch-20131106-story.html |access-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110080235/https://www.baltimoresun.com/features/maryland-family/bal-at-home-with-the-ravens-sam-koch-20131106-story.html |url-status=live }}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Year
| style="font-weight:bold;" | School | style="font-weight:bold;" | Conf | style="font-weight:bold;" | Class | style="font-weight:bold;" | Pos | style="font-weight:bold;" | G | style="font-weight:bold;" | Punts | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | 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 |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sam-koch-1.html Career]
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Nebraska | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 134 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 5,902 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 44.0 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 1/8
| weight = 233
| dash =
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| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch, Nebraska, P, 2006 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=8482&DraftYear=2006 |access-date=November 11, 2021 |website=draftscout.com |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111221957/http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=8482&DraftYear=2006 |url-status=live }}
}}
Koch was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (203rd overall) of the 2006 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2006 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/draft.htm |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=November 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103045630/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/draft.htm |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2006 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2006/ |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145433/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2006/ |url-status=live }} He made his NFL debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 10.{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 10th, 2006 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200609100tam.htm |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091519/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200609100tam.htm |url-status=live }}
In the 2007 season, Koch finished with 78 punts for 3,397 net yards for a 43.55 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2007 |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145424/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2007 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys – December 20th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812200dal.htm |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212015447/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812200dal.htm |url-status=live }} Overall, on the season, he totaled 84 punts for 3,777 net yards for a 44.96 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2008 |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145436/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2008 |url-status=live }}
In the 2009 season, Koch finished with 73 punts for 3,188 net yards for a 43.67 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2009 |access-date=January 29, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145457/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2009 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens – November 7th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201011070rav.htm |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145455/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201011070rav.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091459/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2010/ |url-status=live }}
After an outstanding 2010 season, Koch was named to the 2010 All-Fundamentals Team by USA Football and the NFL Players Association.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=December 23, 2010 |title=Koch, Ngata Named To All-Fundamentals Team |url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/12/23/koch-ngata-named-to-all-fundamentals-team/ |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=Blogs.BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=August 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809134937/http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/12/23/koch-ngata-named-to-all-fundamentals-team/ |url-status=live }}
In the 2011 season, Koch finished with 73 punts for 3,393 net yards for a 46.48 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091345/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2011/ |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens – November 11th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201211110rav.htm |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106063511/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201211110rav.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2012 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091410/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2012 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLVII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens – February 3rd, 2013 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201302030sfo.htm |access-date=November 8, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023145432/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201302030sfo.htm |url-status=live }}
In the 2013 season, Koch finished with 90 punts for 4,138 net yards for a 45.98 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2013 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091326/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2013 |url-status=live }}
In the 2014 season, Koch finished with 60 punts for 2,841 yards for a 47.35 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2014 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091335/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2014 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=July 9, 2015 |title=Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens reach five-year extension |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/sam-koch-baltimore-ravens-reach-five-year-extension-0ap3000000500793 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=September 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916120137/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500793/article/sam-koch-baltimore-ravens-reach-fiveyear-extension |url-status=live }} Overall, in the 2015 season, he finished with 74 punts for 3,454 net yards for a 46.68 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2015 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145408/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2015 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |date=November 27, 2016 |title=The Ravens intentionally held nine players, took a safety to win. The NFL is okay with it. |language=en |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/11/27/the-ravens-intentionally-held-nine-players-took-a-penalty-and-a-safety-to-oddly-win-their-game/ |access-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234809/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/11/27/the-ravens-intentionally-held-nine-players-took-a-penalty-and-a-safety-to-oddly-win-their-game/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens – November 27th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611270rav.htm |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091330/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611270rav.htm |url-status=live }} Overall, in the 2016 season, he finished with 80 punts for 3,665 net yards for a 45.81 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2016 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145431/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2016 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=November 30, 2017 |title=Philip Rivers, Phil Dawson lead Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/philip-rivers-phil-dawson-lead-players-of-the-week-0ap3000000885090 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201011336/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000885090/article/philip-rivers-phil-dawson-lead-players-of-the-week |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Lam |first=Quang M. |date=December 20, 2017 |title=Rob Gronkowski, Gurley among Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rob-gronkowski-gurley-among-players-of-the-week-0ap3000000895841 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218103126/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000895841/article/rob-gronkowski-gurley-among-players-of-the-week |url-status=live }} Overall, in the 2017 season, he finished with 84 punts for 3,765 net yards for a 44.82 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2017 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130145445/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2017 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=January 24, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015054117/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2018/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Kicking & Punting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/kicking.htm |access-date=January 24, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020334/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/kicking.htm |url-status=live }}
In the 2019 season, Koch had 40 total punts for 1,855 net yards for a 46.38 average.{{Cite web |title=Sam Koch 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 24, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011063812/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20/gamelog/2019/ |url-status=live }}
On March 18, 2020, Koch signed a two-year contract extension with the Ravens through the 2022 season.{{Cite web |last=Shaffer |first=Jonas |date=March 18, 2020 |title=Ravens sign punter Sam Koch to two-year contract extension |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-sam-koch-20200318-vxzdfty5bndghpcluobmjq3hcm-story.html |access-date=October 6, 2020 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923041752/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-sam-koch-20200318-vxzdfty5bndghpcluobmjq3hcm-story.html |url-status=live }} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 30, 2020,{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Ravens Place Punter Sam Koch on Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-place-punter-sam-koch-on-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127135205/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-place-punter-sam-koch-on-reserve-covid-19-list |url-status=live }} and activated on January 9, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=January 9, 2021 |title=Ravens Activate Sam Koch, Place Ben Bredeson on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-activate-sam-koch-place-ben-bredeson-on-injured-reserve |access-date=February 11, 2021 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125171630/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-activate-sam-koch-place-ben-bredeson-on-injured-reserve |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |last=Hensley |first=Jamison |date=September 26, 2021 |title=Ravens' Tucker wins game on record 66-yard FG |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32286586/baltimore-ravens-tucker-wins-game-detroit-lions-record-66-yard-fg |access-date=September 29, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928140830/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32286586/baltimore-ravens-tucker-wins-game-detroit-lions-record-66-yard-fg |url-status=live }}
As a passer, Koch was 7/8 passing for 82 yards in his NFL career.{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=Barry |date=October 4, 2020 |title=Ravens' punter Sam Koch is 7-for-7 passing in his career |url=https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2020/10/04/baltimore-ravens-punter-sam-koch-is-7-for-7-passing-in-his-career/ |access-date=October 14, 2020 |website=USA Today |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023034514/https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2020/10/04/baltimore-ravens-punter-sam-koch-is-7-for-7-passing-in-his-career/ |url-status=live }}
On May 19, 2022, Koch announced his retirement from football, spending all his 16 years with the Ravens.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=May 19, 2022 |title=After 16 Years as a Raven, Sam Koch Is Retiring |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/sam-koch-retiring-after-16-years-punter-baltimore-ravens |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219203150/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/sam-koch-retiring-after-16-years-punter-baltimore-ravens |url-status=live }}
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, Koch joined the Ravens staff as a special teams consultant.{{Cite web |last=Mink |first=Ryan |date=May 19, 2022 |title=Sam Koch Joins Ravens Coaching Staff After Retirement |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/sam-koch-joins-ravens-coaching-staff-after-retirement |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109134926/https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/sam-koch-joins-ravens-coaching-staff-after-retirement |url-status=live }} In May 2025, The New York Times reported that Koch was no longer with the Ravens, having departed during the 2024 offseason and before Justin Tucker, with whom Koch was close, was released.{{cite news |last1=Zrebiec |first1=Jeff |title=Do Ravens need Jadeveon Clowney? It depends on how they view their young edge rushers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6345903/2025/05/12/ravens-edge-rushers-jadeveon-clowney/ |access-date=May 12, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=May 12, 2025}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
| colspan="2"| Legend |
|---|
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the Super Bowl |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="5"| Punting ! colspan="1"| Off. ! colspan="1"| 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 | style="background:#afe6ba;"|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 | |||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KochSa20.htm Career] | 256 | 1,168 | 52,868 | 45.3 | 74 | 7 | 92 | 17 |
=Ravens franchise records=
- Most career punt yards: 52,868 yards{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens Career Kicking & Punting Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rav/career-kicking.htm |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116101953/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rav/career-kicking.htm |url-status=live }}
- Longest career punt: 74 yards
- Highest career yards per punt average: 45.3 yards
- Most games played: 256 games{{Cite web |last=Shaffer |first=Jonas |date=May 19, 2022 |title=Sam Koch, a 'revolutionary' punter and the Ravens' longest-tenured player, retires after 16 seasons |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-punter-sam-koch-retires-20220519-tciigukmzrfktoqr2bakzwlnsa-story.html |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Baltimore Sun |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102180822/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-punter-sam-koch-retires-20220519-tciigukmzrfktoqr2bakzwlnsa-story.html |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{footballstats|pfr=K/KochSa20|yahoo=7952|espn=9789}}
- [https://huskers.com/sports/football/roster/sam-koch/14004 Nebraska Cornhuskers bio]
{{Ravens2006DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl XLVII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Koch, Sam}}
Category:American football punters
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football players
Category:People from Seward, Nebraska
Category:People from York, Nebraska
Category:Players of American football from Nebraska
Category:Unconferenced Pro Bowl players