Rick Wendland Season 1987

1990 (Senior)
Rick Wendland played in nine games at outside linebacker for the Huskers. He totaled five tackles, including three solos, while notching one sack for seven yards lost. He helped the Blackshirts rank seventh nationally in scoring defense (13.4 ppg) and total defense (263.5 ypg). Nebraska advanced to the 1991 Florida Citrus Bowl.

A two-time letterman, Wendland played in 16 career games and recorded six tackles.

1989 (Junior)
Wendland earned his first varsity letter as a reserve outside linebacker after playing in five regular-season games. He registered one unassisted tackle. As a team, Nebraska ranked eighth nationally in total defense (274.1 ypg) before earning a trip to the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl.

1988 (Sophomore)
After switching from strong safety to outside linebacker in the spring, Wendland played in two games for the Big Eight champion Huskers. Nebraska went on to face Miami in the 1989 Orange Bowl. Although Wendland did not have any stats on varsity, he recorded 12 tackles (11 solos) for the 5-0 Husker JV team. He also had one TFL for three yards lost.

1987 (Redshirt)
Wendland redshirted in his second season at Nebraska.

1986 (Freshman)
A scholarship recruit, Wendland was the starting strong safety for Coach Scott Downing’s 4-1 Husker junior varsity. Wendland registered 18 tackles, including nine solos. He had two TFLs for four yards lost, while adding two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Washburn Rural High School
An all-class, all-state selection as a senior at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan., Wendland helped Coach Ron Bowen’s team to the Kansas state title with a 10-2 record in 1985. Wendland was all-city and all-conference on both offense and defense. He caught 17 passes for 294 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Wendland, who also lettered in track and baseball, played on a state championship baseball team in 1984.

Personal
The son of Richard and Kay Wendland, Rick was born in Topeka. He has two sisters, Stacey and Nicole. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Nebraska as a construction management major in 1990.