Ken DeBauche

P · Wisconsin
DeBauche has been a model of consistency since taking over punting duties for the Badgers. Each season, he produced at least 57 quality kicks, going on to rank third in school history with 231 attempts. His 42.49-yard average rank second in Wisconsin annals while his 9,815 yards gained rank third. His 44.8-yard average as a sophomore in 2005 stands as the team's single-season record. Only 115 of his kicks were returned during his career, finishing with a 38.55-yard net average. Consistency and production are his call letters, but DeBauche has also proven to be a capable holder for field goals and placements. Serving in that capacity, he also showed an efficient arm for throwing the ball on fake punt attempts. At Bay Port High School, DeBauche was an honorable mention All-State choice in 2002, adding first-team All-Area honors as a punter and All-Area recognition as a kicker in 2001. The first-team All-Conference punter and kicker also competed as a receiver in his senior year. DeBauche boasted a career 44.3-yard punting average and caught 27 passes for 470 yards, including seven touchdowns. He scored 50 points (six touchdowns plus field goals and PATs) as a senior. He was a three-time letter-winner in football, basketball and baseball, earning second-team All-Conference honors as a pitcher during his junior campaign. He also served as the basketball team captain as a senior and was a National Honor Society member and honor roll student. DeBauche redshirted at Wisconsin in 2003, taking over punting chores the following season. He was name UW's Special Teams Player of the Year, adding Freshman All-Big Ten Conference honors from The Sporting News and Academic All-Big Ten accolades. He ranked sixth in the league with a 41.75-yard average on 57 punts, as he had 17 boots that were downed inside the 20-yard line and six that went for distances of 50 yards or longer. He finished with a 35.67-yard net average, having 22 of his kicks returned. As a sophomore, DeBauche was named second-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and a consensus All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick. He led the league and ranked eighth nationally with 57 attempts for a 44.82-yard average, including 22 punts that were downed inside the 20-yard line and 18 that went for 50 yards or longer. He had 31 kicks returned for 303 yards, attaining a 37.75-yard net average, leading Big Ten kickers. In 2006, DeBauche was chosen All-Big Ten honorable mention. He had eight kicks for more than 50 yards, 15 that were downed inside the 20-yard line and averaged 41.8 yards on 59 tries. Thirty-one of his attempts were returned, amassing a 37.47-yard net average. As a senior, DeBauche was again selected All-Big Ten honorable mention by the league's coaches and second-team by the media. He finished third in the conference with a 41.59-yard average on 58 kicks. He had 16 attempts that were downed inside the 20-yard line and 10 for 50 yards or longer. He had a 35.31-yard net average on 31 returns. In 51 games, DeBauche punted 231 times for 9,815 yards (42.49 avg), with two attempts blocked, 23 that went for touchbacks, 36 that were ruled fair catches, 70 that were downed inside the 20-yard line and 42 for 50 yards or longer. He had 115 kicks returned for 911 yards (7.92 avg) and two touchdowns, finishing with a 36.55-yard net average. He hit on 1-of-4 pass attempts for 31 yards and rushed twice for minus-6 yards