1956 Wyoming Cowboys football team

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 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]

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.