What Is 1914 Wyoming Cowboys football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1914 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 1914 college football season, finishing with a 2–3 record under head coach Willard Witmer.

Key Facts

The 1914 Wyoming Cowboys football team had a final record of 2 wins and 3 losses.
Head coach Willard Witmer led the team during its 1914 season.
The team played as an independent and was not part of a conference.
Home games were held in Laramie, Wyoming, at a field near campus.
The Cowboys scored a total of 40 points while allowing 55 across five games.

Overview

The 1914 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the 1914 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Willard Witmer in his first year at the helm.

Though records from this era are incomplete, the team's performance reflects the early development of collegiate football in the American West. The Cowboys played a limited schedule, facing regional opponents with modest resources and infrastructure.

Record: The team finished the season with a 2–3 overall record, marking a slight decline from previous years.
Head Coach:Willard Witmer served as head coach in 1914, taking over after the departure of previous leadership.
Season Duration: The season spanned from September to November 1914, typical for early 20th-century college football.
Home Venue: Games were played on a field near the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, lacking modern facilities.
Opponents: The Cowboys faced regional teams such as Colorado Agricultural, Colorado College, and Denver, reflecting limited travel and scheduling constraints.

Season Performance

The 1914 season showcased both promise and challenges as Wyoming adapted to evolving football strategies and increasing competition. With minimal media coverage and sparse record-keeping, details remain limited, but available data outlines key outcomes.

Points Scored: The Cowboys tallied 40 points across five games, averaging 8.0 points per game.
Points Allowed: They surrendered 55 points, averaging 11.0 per game, indicating defensive struggles.
Season Opener: Wyoming lost its first game to Colorado Agricultural (now Colorado State) by a narrow margin.
Win Over Denver: The team secured a victory against the University of Denver, a key highlight of the season.
Final Game: The season concluded with a loss to Colorado College, sealing the 2–3 record.
Player Roster: Rosters from 1914 are incomplete, but the team consisted of student-athletes balancing academics and athletics.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1914 season to surrounding years highlights trends in early Wyoming football performance:

Season	Record (W–L)	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
1912	1–3–1	Frank L. Castleman	35	79
1913	3–2	Willard Witmer	47	44
1914	2–3	Willard Witmer	40	55
1915	2–3–1	John Corbett	35	54
1916	0–5	John Corbett	14	116

The 1914 season fits within a period of modest performance for Wyoming football. While not dominant, the team showed competitiveness compared to the winless 1916 season. The fluctuating records reflect coaching changes, limited funding, and the challenges of maintaining a program in a remote location.

Why It Matters

Though historically minor, the 1914 season contributes to the foundation of University of Wyoming athletics and the evolution of college football in the Rocky Mountain region. These early teams established traditions and rivalries that persist today.

Institutional Legacy: The 1914 team is part of the official record of Wyoming football, contributing to its 100+ year history.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Colorado schools laid the groundwork for enduring regional matchups in the 20th century.
Amateur Era: The team played during the amateur era of college sports, before scholarships and national television.
Historical Context: In 1914, World War I began, and the U.S. was reshaping socially—college football offered community identity.
Program Development: Seasons like 1914 helped justify continued investment in athletics at the university level.
Archival Value: Records from this time, though sparse, are valuable for historians and sports researchers.

The 1914 Wyoming Cowboys may not be remembered for championships, but they represent the perseverance and growth of collegiate sports in the American West. Their season is a small but meaningful chapter in the broader story of college football.