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Honors & Awards
- Honorable-Mention All-American (AP, UPI, 1985)
- First-Team All-Big Eight (1985)
- Academic All-Big Eight (1985)
- NFL Free Agent Contract (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1986)
- Five Seasons in the NFL (Pittsburgh, 1987-91)
1985 (Senior)
Brian Blankenship earned first-team All-Big Eight honors as an offensive guard for the Huskers as a senior in 1985. A two-time letterwinner, Blankenship added honorable-mention All-America accolades as a left guard from the AP and UPI, helping the Huskers capture the NCAA rushing title by averaging 374.3 yards per game. Nebraska also led the Big Eight in total offense, ranking second nationally with 472.5 yards per game. The Big Red also ranked fifth nationally in scoring at 36.2 points per game on its way to a 9-3 record that included a trip to the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl.
Following his college career, Blankenship signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in 61 games for Pittsburgh from 1987 through 1991. He made 38 career NFL starts, including 13 in 1990 and 12 in 1988.
1984 (Junior)
The 6-1, 270-pounder from Omaha did not play for Nebraska as a junior because of disciplinary reasons.
1983 (Sophomore)
A key reserve on Nebraska's powerhouse 1983 offensive line, Blankenship lettered as an alternate right guard behind Outland and Lombardi winner Dean Steinkuhler. Nebraska's "Scoring Explosion" offense that featured Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, Irving Fryar and Turner Gill, led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg) and rushing offense (401.7 ypg) while ranking second nationally in total offense (546.7 ypg). The Huskers went 12-0 in the regular season and won the Big Eight title before falling 31-30 to Miami at the Orange Bowl in the national championship game.
1982 (Redshirt)
Blankenship sat out his second season as a collegian after transferring to Nebraska from UNO.
1981 (Freshman)
Blankenship began his college football career at NCAA Division II Nebraska-Omaha. He played offensive guard for the Maverick JV team in a 22-6 loss to the Husker freshman team.
Omaha Gross High School
Blankenship starred for Coach Stan Macaitis at Omaha Gross.
Personal
Blankenship was a criminal justice major at Nebraska. He earned Academic All-Big Eight honors for the Huskers as a senior in 1985.