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Honors & Awards
- 1992 Inductee, Nebraska Football Hall of Fame
- Four-Year NFL Veteran (Tampa Bay and LA Raiders)
- Third-Round Draft Pick, 1979 NFL Draft (Tampa Bay)
- Honorable Mention, All-American 1978
- First-Team All-Big Eight, 1978
Senior (1978)
Berns closed his career at Nebraska with a flourish, a 1,039-yard season as the Huskers' I-back after starting the year at fullback. Berns and I.M. Hipp became the first pair of NU running backs to gain over 1,000 yards rushing in the same season. The team's leader in rushing yards, rushes (183) and touchdowns (11), Berns set the single-game school record for carries and rushing yards with a 36-carry, 255-yard performance against Missouri. In Nebraska's 17-14 win over Oklahoma, Berns ran 25 times for 113 yards and one touchdown, earning Big Eight Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Berns closed his career as Nebraska's all-time leading rusher, with 2,704 yards on 493 attempts during his career.
Junior (1977)
Berns began the year as Nebraska's starting I-back and had early success before a hip pointer against Baylor slowed him for the rest of the season. After a season-opening 153-yard performance against Washington State, Berns ran for 128 yards on 33 carries against Alabama and a 22-yard touchdown with 7:12 remaining in the game to give the Huskers the lead for good on their way to a 31-24 win over the Crimson Tide. Berns' progress was cut short when he sustained a hip pointer in the next game against the Bears, as Hipp was moved into the starting lineup and Berns' role reduced as he recovered.
Sophomore (1976)
Berns led NU in rushing with 972 yards on 182 attempts as Nebraska's starting I-back. He came within 28 yards of becoming the fourth Husker in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Freshman (1975)
Berns split time with Hipp as the top I-back on Nebraska's freshman squad.
At Wichita Falls HS
Berns starred under coach Donnell Crosslin at Wichita Falls High School.
Personal
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Berns, Rick was born Feb. 5, 1956.
Berns' Career Statistics
Career Rushing/Receiving Statistics
| Year | Att. | Net | Avg. | Rushing TDs | Rec. | Yds. | Avg. | Receiving TDs |
| 1976 | 182 | 972 | 5.3 | 11 | 13 | 82 | 6.3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 128 | 700 | 5.5 | 9 | 11 | 88 | 8.0 | 1 |
| 1978 | 183 | 1,032 | 5.6 | 11 | 11 | 101 | 9.2 | 2 |
| Totals | 493 | 2,733 | 5.5 | 31 | 35 | 271 | 7.7 | 3 |