91ֿ punter Jake Stoeckel, a first-year exercise science major, made his American football debut at the start of this season. Originally from Riverland, Australia, Stoeckel traveled 25 hours to his new home at 91ֿ in early August.
Stoeckel, who was recently featured in a , played tennis and Australian football as a child, training with Prokick Australia in Melbourne in preparation to play American college football.
“It’s been quite an experience so far,” Stoeckel told ABC News. “I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
Prokick's head coach, Nathan Chapman, told ABC News about Stoeckel’s commitment to training. “It was just a matter of time for him to get his opportunity.”
According to ABC News, only five Australian-raised punters are in the NFL. The Melbourne Sports Law Association said Australians make up about 46 percent of punters in college football teams.
Stoeckel’s first game was 91ֿ’s win over Merrimack College in August.
"That was my first time on the field,” Stoeckel told ABC News. “Actually being out there and having some pretty big boys running at you is quite intimidating.”