The ideal day for a punter is warming up before the game and at halftime, celebrating with
teammates and singing the alma mater after the game, but never having to punt.Brian Schmiedebusch, the
punter for the Bowling Green State University Falcons, hasn’t had that kind of game so far this season.But
it’s been pretty close. VIDEOThrough 11 games he has had to punt only 36
times.‘‘It’s awesome. Our offense is moving the ball this year,’’ Schmiedebusch said. ‘‘Most of them (his
punts) have come inside the 50, so that means we’re moving the ball down the field, and putting points up on
the board.‘‘The less I have to punt, that means the more games we’re winning; so I’m loving it.’’And when
Schmiedebusch has been called upon this season, the redshirt senior has had an outstanding season.He is
averaging 40.2 yards per punt and 16 of his 33 punts have landed inside the 20-yard line. There have been
only four touchbacks.‘‘His sophomore year (2011), he was excellent,’’ BG head coach Dave Clawson said.
‘‘Last year it was a little bit of a letdown. He did not have the year that we had hoped … Last year he
didn’t really have a bad year, he just kicked so many balls through the end zone on touchbacks.‘‘To me, this
year, he is back to where he was, and not just in terms of his distance and his average,’’ Clawson
continued. ‘‘This year when we go to our hang-10 punt, and we trying to pin people inside the 10-yard line,
his touch on those punts, he has regained it … This year he’s back in a groove.’’Schmiedebusch tries to
keep it simple.‘‘When it comes to punting, it’s all fundamentals and technique,’’ he said ‘‘It’s just the
little things, catching the ball and then getting your drop and your footing. When you get all three of
those components together, it’s pretty easy.’’In 2011, Schmiedebusch was a first-team all-conference
selection for the Falcons as he was fifth in the nation, averaging 45.3 yards per punt. Last season he was a
second-team all-league pick, averaging 40.8 yards per game.After not receiving any Division 1 scholarship
offers out of high school, Schmiedebusch started his college career at the University of Findlay, but
transferred to Bowling Green after one season with the Oilers.‘‘We had a pretty good year; we went 7-4 that
year,’’ Schmiedebusch said about his 2009 season at Findlay. ‘‘I think I had 42.1 (yard) average. I knew I
was a good enough player to go play at the Division I level.‘‘I wanted to stay a little bit closer to home,
so a lot of friends and family could come to games, and my parents could make all the games. It (BGSU) was a
perfect fit.’’Schmiedebusch was a natural when he started punting when he was 9-years-old. His grandfather
worked with him in the backyard, but the skill was there from the start.‘‘I just progressively got better
and better,’’ Schmiedebusch said.In midget and junior high football, Schmiedebusch was a quarterback and
linebacker. At Ottawa-Glandorf High School he played receiver and linebacker.The athletic ability is another
thing Clawson likes about Schmiedebusch.‘‘Sometimes kickers are kickers, and sometimes kickers and punters
are football players who just happen to kick or punt. He’s a football player.’’ Clawson said. ‘‘He could
probably play another position. He’s a good athlete, and he’s a tough kid.’’After completing this season
with the Falcons, Schmiedebusch would like an opportunity to play in the National Football League.‘‘That’s
been my dream for my whole life, just to make it to the NFL,’’ Schmiedebusch said. ‘‘I’ve been working my
butt off since I was little.