Fred Wendt
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Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.
| UTEP Miners | |
|---|---|
| Position | Back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 15, 1924 Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | May 18, 2020 (aged 95) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
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]