What Is 1984 Wyoming Cowboys football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1984 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 4-6-1 record under head coach Al Kincaid. They competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and played their home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. The team scored 207 points while allowing 264, marking a challenging season overall.

Key Facts

The 1984 Wyoming Cowboys finished the season with a 4-6-1 overall record
Head coach Al Kincaid was in his third season leading the team
They played home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming
The team scored 207 total points and allowed 264 points
Wyoming competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1984

Overview

The 1984 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the team struggled to find consistency under head coach Al Kincaid, who was in his third year at the helm.

Playing their home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, the Cowboys finished the season with a 4-6-1 overall record and a 3-4-1 mark in conference play. Despite flashes of offensive potential, the team faced challenges on both sides of the ball, ultimately failing to qualify for a bowl game.

Record: The team posted a 4-6-1 overall record, including a 3-4-1 mark in the WAC, reflecting a season of narrow losses and missed opportunities.
Head Coach: Al Kincaid led the program for the third consecutive year, striving to rebuild Wyoming’s competitiveness after a 3-8 record in 1983.
Stadium: War Memorial Stadium, located in Laramie at over 7,200 feet elevation, provided a home-field advantage due to its high altitude.
Scoring: The Cowboys scored 207 total points across 11 games, averaging 18.8 points per game, which ranked near the bottom of the conference.
Defensive Struggles: Wyoming allowed 264 total points, averaging 24.0 points per game against, highlighting defensive inconsistencies throughout the season.

Season Performance

The 1984 campaign was marked by close contests and a lack of finishing ability, as five of Wyoming’s six losses were by 10 points or fewer. The team showed resilience but couldn’t convert tight games into wins, particularly in conference matchups.

September Start: The Cowboys opened the season with a 31-14 win over Northern Illinois, showing early offensive promise under quarterback Greg Hill.
Key Loss: A 20-17 overtime loss to Air Force—before overtime was officially adopted by the NCAA—was later recognized as a historic game due to its format.
Conference Play: In WAC games, Wyoming split with rivals like Utah and BYU but failed to secure a winning conference record.
Offensive Leaders: Running back Eddie Lee Ivery rushed for 637 yards and four touchdowns, leading the ground attack despite limited team success.
Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Mike Holmes recorded over 100 tackles, anchoring a defense that often kept games within reach.
Final Game: The season concluded with a 24-21 loss to Colorado State in the annual “Border War,” a game that underscored missed opportunities.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1984 Wyoming Cowboys to select peer teams in the WAC based on win-loss records, scoring, and conference performance:

Team	Overall Record	WAC Record	Points For	Points Against
Wyoming	4-6-1	3-4-1	207	264
BYU	8-4	6-2	350	258
Utah	6-5	5-3	256	210
New Mexico	4-7	3-5	214	268
UCLA (Pac-10)	9-3	N/A	342	189

The table illustrates that Wyoming’s performance lagged behind top WAC teams like BYU and Utah, both of which had winning records and stronger scoring margins. While comparable to New Mexico in record, Wyoming’s point differential was nearly identical, indicating similar team strength. The data highlights how offensive inefficiency and defensive lapses prevented the Cowboys from climbing the conference standings.

Why It Matters

The 1984 season is a snapshot of a transitional period for Wyoming football, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining consistent performance during the 1980s. Though not a standout year, it contributed to the program’s long-term development and provided experience for future rebuilding efforts.

Program Insight: The season revealed the difficulty of competing in the WAC with limited recruiting depth and resources compared to larger programs.
Coaching Evaluation: Al Kincaid’s tenure was ultimately judged by such seasons, leading to increased pressure to improve win totals.
Player Development: Young athletes gained crucial experience, setting the foundation for modest improvements in subsequent years.
Historical Context: The 1984 team is remembered for its narrow losses, illustrating how small margins impact season outcomes.
Fan Engagement: Despite a losing record, home games at War Memorial Stadium maintained strong local support due to tradition.
Legacy: The season is part of Wyoming’s broader football history, often referenced in retrospectives on the program’s ups and downs.

While the 1984 Wyoming Cowboys did not achieve postseason success, their season remains a factual benchmark in the university’s athletic timeline. It underscores the realities of college football competitiveness and the importance of sustained development over time.