Fred Wendt

Fred Wendt
UTEP Miners
PositionBack
Personal information
Born:(1924-07-15)July 15, 1924
Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.
Died:May 18, 2020(2020-05-18) (aged 95)
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career history
College
Career highlights and awards

Fred Wendt (July 15, 1924[1] – May 18, 2020) was an American football player. He played college football for the UTEP Miners football team. He led the NCAA major colleges in rushing yardage with 1,570 rushing yards in 1948.[2] His total of 1,570 rushing yards in 1948 broke the national collegiate rushing record of 1,281 yards set by Rudy Mobley in 1942.[3][4] Wendt's rushing record stood for 20 years until broken in 1968 by O. J. Simpson. Wendt also broke the NCAA single-season scoring record with 152 points in 10 games, including 32 place-kicking points.[5] He did not play during the 1949 season due to a leg injury and was signed by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) in April 1950.[6]

Wendt died on May 18, 2020.[1]

  1. ^ a b Remembering UTEP football legend Fred Wendt
  2. ^ "Ground Gain Title To Miners' Wendt". Clovis News-Journal (AP story). December 10, 1948.
  3. ^ "Wendt Shatters Ground-Gaining Record As Miners Triumph, 92-7". The Amarillo Globe. November 26, 1948. p. 9.
  4. ^ "Fred Wendt Passes Doc Mobley's Mark For Yards Rushing". Abilene Reporter-News. December 10, 1948. p. 5.
  5. ^ "Fred Wendt Ties Scoring Record". The Amarillo Daily News. December 17, 1948. p. 23.
  6. ^ "Fred Wendt Signed by Chicago Cards". Las Cruces (N.M.) Sun-News. April 27, 1950. p. 8.