What Is 1978 Wyoming Cowboys football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1978 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7-5 record under head coach Pat Dye and losing 20-17 to the University of Cincinnati in the 1978 Independence Bowl.

Key Facts

The 1978 Wyoming Cowboys finished the season with a 7-5 overall record
Head coach Pat Dye led the team in his third season at Wyoming
The Cowboys played in the 1978 Independence Bowl on December 16, 1978
Wyoming lost the Independence Bowl 20-17 to the University of Cincinnati
The team competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and had a 5-3 conference record

Overview

The 1978 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by head coach Pat Dye in his third year, the team achieved a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), placing them in a competitive position for a postseason bid.

One of the highlights of the season was Wyoming's appearance in the Independence Bowl, marking the program's first bowl game since 1967. The Cowboys faced the University of Cincinnati in Shreveport, Louisiana, in a tightly contested game that ended in a narrow 20-17 loss.

7-5 record: The Cowboys finished the season with 7 wins and 5 losses, including a 5-3 performance in the WAC, showcasing marked improvement under Pat Dye.
Pat Dye as head coach: In his third season at Wyoming, Dye implemented a disciplined, defense-first approach that helped stabilize the program after earlier struggles.
Independence Bowl appearance: The team played in the December 16, 1978 Independence Bowl, their first bowl game in 11 years, drawing national attention to the program.
Loss to Cincinnati: Wyoming fell to the Bearcats 20-17 in a closely fought game, with the decisive points coming in the fourth quarter.
Western Athletic Conference: Competing in the WAC, the Cowboys faced strong opponents like BYU and New Mexico, with key conference wins contributing to their bowl eligibility.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1978 season featured several pivotal matchups that defined the Cowboys' campaign. Wyoming started strong, building momentum with early wins that positioned them for a bowl berth despite mid-season setbacks.

September 9, 1978: Wyoming defeated Colorado State 23-10, marking a strong start and setting the tone for the rivalry season.
October 14, 1978: A 24-14 victory over Air Force improved their conference record and boosted national rankings consideration.
November 11, 1978: The Cowboys narrowly lost to BYU 20-19, a game that impacted their final WAC standings.
Offensive output: The team averaged 23.1 points per game, led by quarterback Mike Machurek and a balanced rushing attack.
Defensive stats: Wyoming allowed 19.8 points per game, demonstrating improvement from previous seasons under defensive coordinator Gary DeLoach.
Home games: Playing at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, the Cowboys posted a 5-1 home record, leveraging their high-altitude advantage.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1978 season compared to recent Wyoming Cowboys football seasons in key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1978	7-5	5-3 (WAC)	Independence Bowl (L, 20-17)	Pat Dye
1977	4-7	3-5	No bowl	Pat Dye
1976	3-8	2-6	No bowl	Pat Dye
1975	2-9	2-6	No bowl	Forrest M. Hall
1968	8-3	7-0	Super Bowl (W, 28-20)	Bob Devaney

The 1978 season marked a turning point, reversing a string of losing records. While not matching the undefeated WAC performance of 1968, it restored bowl eligibility and laid the foundation for future success under Dye, who left after the season to coach at Mississippi State.

Why It Matters

The 1978 Wyoming Cowboys season was significant both for revitalizing the football program and setting the stage for future competitiveness in the WAC. Despite the bowl loss, the team's resurgence under Pat Dye demonstrated the impact of consistent coaching and player development.

Program momentum: The 7-5 record was Wyoming's best since 1971, signaling a turnaround after years of subpar performance.
Coaching legacy: Pat Dye's tenure, though short, stabilized the program and led to his hiring at a major conference school.
Bowl relevance: Returning to postseason play increased national exposure and boosted recruiting efforts in subsequent years.
Player development: Quarterback Mike Machurek and linebacker Ted Sperbeck emerged as leaders, contributing to team cohesion.
Historical context: The season occurred during a transitional era in college football, with increased television coverage elevating smaller programs.
Long-term impact: The 1978 team helped restore pride in Wyoming football, paving the way for future successes in the 1980s and beyond.

Ultimately, the 1978 season stands as a pivotal chapter in the history of Wyoming Cowboys football, symbolizing resilience and the beginning of a broader rebuild under strong leadership.