What Is 1962 Wyoming Cowboys football team

Overview

The 1962 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. Led by head coach Bob Devaney in his sixth and final year, the team competed as a member of the Skyline Conference, which disbanded after the season.

The Cowboys played their home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, a venue known for its high altitude and challenging conditions for visiting teams. Despite a losing record, the season marked a transitional period for the program as it prepared to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) the following year.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 4–6 overall record and a 3–3 mark in conference play, placing them in the middle of the Skyline Conference standings.
• Head Coach: Bob Devaney, who would later achieve fame at the University of Nebraska, coached his final season at Wyoming before departing for Lincoln in 1962.
• Stadium: War Memorial Stadium, opened in 1959, hosted all home games and seated approximately 30,000 fans at the time.
• Key Player: Running back and future NFL player Jerry Hill was a standout performer, contributing significantly on both offense and special teams.
• Conference Transition: The 1962 season was the last for the Skyline Conference, as Wyoming and several other schools moved to the newly formed Western Athletic Conference in 1963.

Performance and Season Highlights

The 1962 season featured a mix of competitive performances and tough losses, reflecting the transitional nature of the program. Wyoming faced a challenging schedule that included both regional rivals and emerging national programs.

• Season Opener: The Cowboys opened with a 14–13 win over Colorado State, marking an encouraging start to the campaign.
• Key Victory: A 21–14 win over rival Colorado in late October stood out as one of the team’s most significant wins of the year.
• Defensive Struggles: Wyoming allowed an average of 23.1 points per game, indicating defensive inconsistencies throughout the season.
• Offensive Output: The team averaged 18.6 points per game, relying heavily on a ground-oriented attack led by Jerry Hill and halfback Jim Petty.
• Season Finale: The Cowboys closed the season with a 28–7 loss to Utah, highlighting areas needing improvement for the upcoming WAC era.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1962 season compares to the previous and following years in terms of performance and program direction:

The table illustrates Wyoming’s progression through a period of conference realignment and coaching change. While 1962 was a down year in terms of win-loss record, it set the foundation for future success in the WAC, particularly in 1964 when the Cowboys won a conference title.

Why It Matters

The 1962 season holds historical significance for Wyoming football as a bridge between eras. It marked the end of an old conference and the departure of a coach who would become a college football legend.

• End of an Era: The dissolution of the Skyline Conference after 1962 closed a chapter in Western U.S. collegiate athletics.
• Coaching Legacy: Bob Devaney’s departure launched a Hall of Fame career at Nebraska, where he won multiple national titles.
• Player Development: Jerry Hill went on to play for the Baltimore Colts and won Super Bowl V, showcasing Wyoming’s NFL pipeline.
• Program Transition: The shift to the WAC elevated Wyoming’s competition level and national exposure.
• Historical Context: The 1962 team is remembered for its role in a pivotal year of realignment and change in college football.
• Legacy Building: Though not a winning season, it laid groundwork for Wyoming’s 1964 WAC championship team.

While overshadowed by more successful seasons, the 1962 Wyoming Cowboys remain a key part of the program’s evolution, representing resilience during a time of transition.