What Is 2008 Wyoming Cowboys football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 4–8 overall record under head coach Dave Christensen. They competed in the Mountain West Conference and played their home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

Key Facts

Finished the 2008 season with a 4–8 overall record
Posted a 3–5 record in Mountain West Conference play
Head coach Dave Christensen was in his first year leading the team
Played home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming
Quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels started 10 games as a true freshman

Overview

The 2008 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MWC), the team was led by first-year head coach Dave Christensen, who took over after the departure of former coach Joe Glenn.

The Cowboys struggled to find consistency throughout the season, finishing with a 4–8 overall record and a 3–5 mark in conference play. Despite the challenging season, it laid the foundation for future rebuilding efforts under the new coaching staff and featured several young players who would become key contributors in subsequent years.

Record: The team finished the season with a 4–8 overall record, including only two wins in their final eight games, highlighting late-season struggles.
Conference performance: In the Mountain West Conference, Wyoming went 3–5, placing fifth in the seven-team league standings behind TCU, BYU, and Utah.
Head coach:Dave Christensen began his tenure in 2008, becoming the 31st head coach in program history and inheriting a team transitioning from a previous regime.
Home stadium: The Cowboys played all home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, which has a capacity of approximately 30,181 and is one of the highest-elevation stadiums in FBS.
Quarterback development: True freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels started 10 games, throwing for 1,546 yards and 10 touchdowns, marking a pivotal step in the team’s long-term rebuilding plan.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2008 campaign was marked by growing pains as Wyoming adjusted to new leadership and integrated younger talent. The offense showed flashes of potential, but defensive inconsistencies and turnover issues hampered overall performance.

Season opener: The Cowboys opened with a 35–13 win over Indiana in Bloomington, providing early optimism with a strong rushing attack.
Defensive struggles: Wyoming allowed 31.4 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the FBS in scoring defense and contributing to their losing record.
Turnover problems: The team committed 22 turnovers during the season, including 14 interceptions, many by inexperienced quarterbacks adjusting to college speed.
Rivalry game: In the annual Border War against Colorado State, Wyoming lost 31–28 in Fort Collins, continuing a streak of close but unsuccessful outcomes.
Winning streak: After a 3–1 start, the team lost seven of their final nine games, including a six-game losing streak from October to November.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2008 Wyoming Cowboys compared to other Mountain West teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Per Game	Points Allowed
TCU	11–2	7–1	30.1	14.8
BYU	10–3	6–2	33.5	18.9
Utah	13–0	8–0	40.2	15.6
Wyoming	4–8	3–5	21.7	31.4
New Mexico	4–8	3–5	21.9	29.6

The table illustrates Wyoming’s challenges in both offensive production and defensive reliability. While they matched New Mexico in overall and conference records, they scored slightly fewer points per game and allowed more defensively. Utah’s undefeated season and dominant scoring margin highlighted the gap between the top of the conference and mid-tier teams like Wyoming.

Why It Matters

The 2008 season was a transitional year that set the stage for future changes in the Wyoming football program. Though the record was disappointing, it provided valuable experience for young players and a clearer direction under new leadership.

Rebuilding year: The season served as a rebuilding phase after the end of Joe Glenn’s tenure, allowing Christensen to evaluate talent and implement a new system.
Quarterback development: Starting a true freshman like Carta-Samuels gave Wyoming long-term depth at a critical position, which paid off in future seasons.
Recruiting shift: Christensen’s arrival signaled a shift in recruiting strategy, focusing on athletic quarterbacks and skill players suited to a modern offensive scheme.
Stadium challenges: Playing at high altitude in Laramie continued to be a competitive disadvantage for opponents, though Wyoming struggled to capitalize consistently.
Program trajectory: The 2008 season underscored the need for improved defensive recruiting and coaching, issues that would be addressed in the coming years.
Foundation for improvement: Despite the losing record, the year provided essential experience that contributed to a winning season in 2009, when Wyoming went 7–6 and earned a bowl berth.

While the 2008 season did not yield significant on-field success, it was a necessary step in the evolution of the Wyoming Cowboys football program, marking the beginning of a new era under Dave Christensen.