1986 Wyoming Cowboys football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1986 Wyoming Cowboys football Western Athletic Conference WAC 6–6 4–4 Dennis Erickson 1st Bob Bratkowski 1st Single-back spread John L. Smith 1st 4–3 War Memorial Stadium The 1986 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. A charter member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), Wyoming played its home games in War Memorial Stadium, an outdoor facility on campus in Laramie, Wyoming. Led by first-year head coach Dennis Erickson in his only season at Wyoming, the Cowboys compiled a 6–6 record (4–4 against conference opponents), and finished sixth in the WAC. The team outscored their opponents 299 to 272. Erickson installed his "Air Express" form of the spread offense and led the Cowboys to 3–1 start in September, with road wins at Air Force and Wisconsin. Hired in early December 1985, Erickson was previously the head coach for four seasons at the University of Idaho. His four-year contract at Wyoming included a base annual salary of $60,000 plus $20,000 from radio and television, and the rent-free use of a home in Laramie.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dMcSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6696%2C79565 Spokane Chronicle Washington Boling Dave Erickson leaves Idaho for Wyoming December 2, 1985 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WlNTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MIQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4115%2C1654552 Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah New Wyo. coach will air it out December 3, 1985 D5https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C9xVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DeEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4149%2C642322 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Coaches in transition: Idaho's Erickson takes Wyoming top job December 3, 1985 2D The Cowboys had previously run the wishbone and were 3–8 in 1985, tied for seventh in the nine-team WAC. After the season in early January 1987, Erickson left Wyoming without notice to return to the Palouse as head coach at Washington State University in Pullman.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=goxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=3305%2C1796486 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Grummert Dale Erickson sets lofty goals for Cougars January 8, 1987 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TpMrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=otAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5345%2C770561 Idahonian Moscow Condotta Bob Denny's dream comes true January 7, 1987 1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DllWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Xu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6401%2C3664047 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Weaver Dan Erickson followed his heart to WSU January 8, 1987 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QxcpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4YMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3921%2C2166998 Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah staff and wire reports Pokes' Erickson to Washington State January 7, 1987 B7https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RBcpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4YMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5212%2C2610066 Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah (Denver Post) Kiszla Mark 'Pokes want coach who will stay January 8, 1987 D4 Schedule 1986 AP September 6 l y Baylor 12 War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 28–31 20,542 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-baylor-averts-u/170708553/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Baylor averts upset September 7, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com September 13 w y Pacific (CA) War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 23–20 15,403 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-field-goal-sends-wyo/170731364/ The Idaho Statesman Field goal sends Wyoming past Pacific September 14, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com September 20 w y Air Force Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO 23–17 48,749 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-cowboy-defense-grou/170729079/ The Billings Gazette Cowboy defense grounds Air Force September 21, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com September 27 w y y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 21–12 64,954 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wausau-daily-herald-badgers-reeling-afte/170731470/ Wausau Daily Herald Badgers reeling after Wyoming roundup September 28, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 4 l y y Iowa State Cyclone Stadium Ames, IA 10–21 39,710 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/21535659/ Quad-City Times Embattled Cyclones find some enjoyment October 5, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 11 w Utah War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 38–14 12,326 https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-uw-puts-it-all-toget/170731682/ Casper Star-Tribune UW puts it all together in 38–14 romp October 12, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com October 18 l y BYU Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 22–34 31,742 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-new-defense-and-re/170727611/ The Salt Lake Tribune New defense and return to ground game helps BYU to win October 19, 1986 April 19, 2025 Newspapers.com October 25 l y Colorado State Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO rivalry 15–20 31,856 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-colorado-state-pushes-m/170730911/ The Daily Herald Colorado State pushes mark to 5–2 October 26, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com November 1 w New Mexico War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 35–25 6,714 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-burnett-wyoming-to/170731843/ The Billings Gazette Burnett, Wyoming top Lobos November 2, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com November 8 w UTEP War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 41–12 7,250 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-cowboys-race-past-min/170731919/ The Rapid City Journal Cowboys race past Miners 41–12 November 9, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com November 15 l y San Diego State Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego, CA 24–31 20,168 SDSU Strong Arms Wyoming, 31–24, in Drive for WAC Title The Los Angeles Times San Diego County Steve Dolan November 16, 1986 III-14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8435384/sdsu_strong_arms_wyoming_in_drive_for/ Newspapers.com January 18, 2017 November 29 l y Hawaii Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI rivalry 19–35 40,383 https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune-pokes-end-grid-seaso/170730245/ Casper Star-Tribune Pokes end grid season with 35–19 loss at Hawaii December 1, 1986 April 20, 2025 Newspapers.com References Wyoming Category:Wyoming Cowboys football seasons Wyoming Cowboys football