What Is 1986 Wyoming Cowboys football team

Overview

The 1986 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the team struggled throughout the year, failing to achieve a winning record under head coach Al Kincaid.

Playing their home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming, the Cowboys faced a challenging schedule that included several strong conference opponents. Despite moments of competitiveness, the team ultimately finished with a 3–8 record, marking another difficult season in a rebuilding era.

• Al Kincaid served as head coach for his fourth consecutive season, striving to improve the program’s consistency and performance.
• The Cowboys played 11 games during the season, facing teams from both the WAC and independent programs.
• Their home stadium, War Memorial Stadium, seated over 30,000 fans and remained a key venue for Mountain West football.
• Wyoming’s offense struggled, scoring only 193 total points across the entire season, averaging 17.5 per game.
• The team’s defense allowed 27.5 points per game, highlighting significant challenges on both sides of the ball.

Season Performance

The 1986 season revealed both the limitations and potential of Wyoming’s football program during the mid-1980s. With a mix of young talent and experienced players, the team showed flashes of competitiveness but lacked the depth and execution needed for consistent success.

• September 6, 1986: Opened the season with a loss to Colorado State, 24–21, in a closely contested rivalry game.
• Non-conference struggles: Lost to Air Force and New Mexico State, failing to secure momentum early in the season.
• October 18, 1986: Achieved a pivotal 20–17 victory over Utah, their only conference win of the season.
• Offensive inconsistency: Quarterback play rotated between multiple players, with no single starter emerging for the full season.
• Defensive effort: Despite giving up 303 total points, the defense forced 18 turnovers, including 12 interceptions.
• Season finale: Ended with a 34–10 loss to BYU, reflecting the team’s ongoing challenges against top-tier WAC opponents.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1986 Wyoming Cowboys with their 1985 and 1987 seasons to highlight performance trends:

The table illustrates a decline in performance from 1985 to 1986, particularly in defensive efficiency and conference wins. While 1986 saw a slight drop in points scored compared to the previous year, the jump in points allowed—up to 303—was the most concerning trend. The team improved modestly in 1987, suggesting that 1986 was a low point in a transitional phase for the program.

Why It Matters

Though not a standout season, the 1986 campaign provides insight into the challenges faced by mid-tier college football programs during the 1980s. It reflects the difficulty of maintaining consistency amid coaching transitions and evolving competition.

• The season underscored the need for quarterback stability, as Wyoming cycled through multiple starters without a clear leader.
• It highlighted weaknesses in defensive discipline, particularly in limiting big plays and third-down conversions.
• Recruiting challenges in a geographically isolated state like Wyoming impacted roster depth and talent level.
• The 3–8 record contributed to growing pressure on Al Kincaid, who would eventually be replaced after the 1986 season.
• Despite the struggles, the team maintained a strong home-state identity and fan support at War Memorial Stadium.
• The 1986 season serves as a historical benchmark for measuring future improvements in the Cowboys’ football program.

Understanding seasons like 1986 helps contextualize Wyoming’s long-term development and eventual return to competitiveness in later decades.