1956 Wyoming Cowboys football team

Summary

The 1956 Wyoming Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wyoming as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1956 NCAA University Division football season. In their fourth season under head coach Phil Dickens, the Cowboys compiled a perfect 10–0 record (7–0 against Skyline opponents), won the Skyline Conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 252 to 112.[1][2] The Cowboys were ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll issued on November 19, 1956, but dropped out in the final poll.[1]

1956 Wyoming Cowboys football
Skyline champion
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 16
Record10–0 (7–0 Skyline)
Head coach
CaptainOve Stapleton
Home stadiumWar Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1955
1957 →
1956 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 16 Wyoming 7 0 0 10 0 0
Utah 5 1 0 5 5 0
Denver 4 3 0 6 4 0
Utah State 4 3 0 6 4 0
Colorado A&M 2 4 1 2 7 1
New Mexico 2 4 0 4 6 0
BYU 1 5 1 2 7 1
Montana 1 6 0 1 9 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from Coaches Poll

The team's statistical leaders included Larry Zowada with 878 passing yards, Jim Crawford with 1,104 rushing yards and 72 points scored, and John Watts with 287 receiving yards.[3] Crawford led the nation in rushing yards and went on to play five seasons for the Boston Patriots.

Believing that they would get a better bowl appearance, the team declined a Sun Bowl invitation. No other invitations came.[citation needed]

Schedule edit

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Western State (CO)*W 40–13[4]
September 22at Arizona*W 26–2023,000[5]
September 29Denver
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY
W 27–017,000[6]
October 6at Colorado A&MW 20–1211,138[7]
October 13New Mexico
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY
W 20–136,021[8]
October 20Utah
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY
W 30–2016,833[9]
October 27Kansas State*
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY
W 27–156,731[10]
November 3at Utah State
W 21–09,000[11]
November 10vs. Montana
  • Daylis Stadium
  • Billings, MT (Midland Roundtable Grid Classic)
W 34–138,000[12]
November 17at BYU
W 7–64,447[13]
  • *Non-conference game

References edit

  1. ^ a b "1956 Wyoming Cowboys Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Wyoming Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Wyoming. 2018. p. 212.
  3. ^ "1956 Wyoming Cowboys Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  4. ^ "Cowboys Ride Over Western State For Easy 40-13 Win". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. September 16, 1956. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Abe Chanin. "Wyoming Defeats Arizona 26-20 In Rugged Battle". The Arizona Daily Star. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Ray Giffin (September 16, 1956). "Cowpokes in Easy 27-0 Win Over DU". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Howard Graves (October 7, 1956). "Cowpokes Hold Off Aggies; Win 20-12". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Joe McGowan (October 14, 1956). "Pokes Pick Off Lobos 20-13; 'Lack Luster'". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Joe McGowan (October 21, 1956). "Pokes Drop Utah 30-20; Nearer Title". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Joe McGowan Jr. (October 29, 1956). "Aroused 'Pokes Take Kansas State, 27-15". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Cowboys Romp Over Utah Aggies, 21-0". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. November 4, 1956. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Montana Bows To Wyoming By 34-13 Score". The Billings Gazette. November 11, 1956. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Battling Cougars Scare Punchers Before Losing 7-6". The Sunday Herald (Provo, UT). November 18, 1956. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.