Chris Caliendo Season 1987

Honors & Awards

Honorable-Mention All-Big Eight (UPI, 1989)

1989 (Senior)
Chris Caliendo earned his third letter as a Husker by posting 27 tackles, including 12 solos, over 11 games at inside linebacker as a senior in 1989. He recorded six TFLs (19 yards), while adding a quarterback hurry. He also recovered one fumble. Caliendo capped his college career with two assisted tackles, including one for a one-yard loss in the 1990 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl. He helped the Huskers to a 10-2 overall record, while the Blackshirts ranked eighth nationally in total defense (274.1 ypg).

Caliendo closed his Nebraska career with 87 total tackles, including 49 solos and 38 assists, in 28 career regular-season games. He notched eight TFLs (21), including a one-yard sack. He caused a fumble, recovered a fumble, blocked a kick, hauled down an interception, posted two PBUs and registered one quarterback hurry.

1988 (Junior)
Caliendo earned honorable-mention All-Big Eight recognition by producing his best season as a Husker with 53 total tackles, including 34 solos, for the Big Eight champion Huskers in 1986. The weakside linebacker added a one-yard sack, caused a fumble and pulled down an interception. He also blocked a kick and broke up two passes. He played in all 12 regular-season games and the 1989 Orange Bowl against Miami, when he contributed one assisted tackle. Caliendo began the season as an alternate behind Pat Tyrance, before starting NU’s final eight games. Caliendo was Nebraska’s fifth-leading tackler, including 47 stops in his eight games as a starter. He notched a career-high 12 tackles against Missouri, while adding an interception and a sack in a hard-fought 26-18 win over the Tigers. He was Nebraska’s nominee for Big Eight Defensive Player of the Week. He added eight-tackle efforts in wins over Oklahoma State and Colorado to help the Huskers secure the Big Eight title. He also blocked a punt in a win over Utah State early in the season to set up a 12-yard touchdown.

1987 (Sophomore)
Caliendo earned his first varsity letter as a true sophomore after playing in five games. He totaled seven tackles, including three unassisted stops. He added one tackle for one-yard lost as a reserve behind Steve Forch and Doug Welniak.

1986 (Freshman)
Caliendo played as an alternate weakside linebacker behind Mark Hagge on the 4-1 Husker freshman team. He tied Pat Tyrance for fifth on the squad in total tackles with 23.

Brookfield East High School
A two-year starter at both center and linebacker for Coach Doug Hinkle at Brookfield East High School in suburban Milwaukee, Caliendo was an all-state linebacker as a senior. He also earned all-conference honors at both positions as a senior.

Personal
The son of Chuck and Nancy Caliendo, Chris was born in Milwaukee, Wis. He was a speech communications major at Nebraska. His brother, Cary, was a defensive end for Northern Illinois and the two teams faced each other in Nebraska’s season opener in 1989. Chris and Cary are the uncles of Kansas City offensive lineman Mike Caliendo, who won Super Bowls with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs following the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons, before playing in his third Super Bowl (LIX) after the 2024 season.