What Is 1985 Wyoming Cowboys football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1985 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 3-8 record under head coach Dennis Erickson, who was in his first year leading the program.

Key Facts

The 1985 Wyoming Cowboys finished with a 3-8 overall record and 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
Dennis Erickson was hired as head coach in 1985, marking his first season at Wyoming
The team played its home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming
Wyoming scored 172 total points during the season, averaging 15.6 points per game
The Cowboys lost their final seven games of the season, including a 45-3 defeat to rival Colorado State

Overview

The 1985 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming in the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season, competing as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Under first-year head coach Dennis Erickson, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play.

Playing their home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, the Cowboys faced a challenging schedule that included several strong opponents. The season marked a transitional period for the program as Erickson began implementing his offensive philosophy, which would later gain national recognition during his successful stints at Miami and Oregon State.

Overall record: The team finished with a 3-8 win-loss record, one of the worst in program history at the time, reflecting early struggles under new leadership.
Conference performance: In the Western Athletic Conference, Wyoming went 2-6, placing them near the bottom of the seven-team league standings.
Scoring output: The Cowboys scored 172 total points across 11 games, averaging 15.6 points per game, ranking them low nationally in offensive production.
Defensive struggles: Wyoming allowed 301 total points, averaging 27.4 points per game against, indicating significant challenges on the defensive side.
Season finale: The team ended the year on a seven-game losing streak, capped by a 45-3 loss to Colorado State in the annual Border War rivalry game.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 1985 season was defined by offensive inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities, with several lopsided losses highlighting the team's rebuilding phase. Despite flashes of potential, the Cowboys were unable to sustain momentum under first-year head coach Dennis Erickson.

Head coach:Dennis Erickson took over in 1985 after serving as offensive coordinator at Wyoming under former coach Al Kincaid, beginning his head coaching career.
Home stadium: Games were played at War Memorial Stadium, which seated over 30,000 and was known for its high-altitude conditions in Laramie.
Season opener: Wyoming lost its first game 31-21 to Northern Illinois, setting a tone of defensive instability that persisted throughout the season.
Best performance: The Cowboys' most convincing win came in October, a 24-14 victory over New Mexico, showcasing brief offensive cohesion.
Rivalry game: The annual matchup with Colorado State ended in a 45-3 blowout loss, one of the most lopsided in the rivalry's history at the time.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Doug Reynolds led the passing attack, throwing for 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns, though with 14 interceptions.

Comparison at a Glance

Wyoming's 1985 season compared poorly to both its historical performance and peer programs in the WAC, as reflected in this performance table:

Team	Overall Record	WAC Record	Points For	Points Against
Wyoming Cowboys	3-8	2-6	172	301
BYU Cougars	8-4	6-2	310	238
Utah Utes	7-4	5-3	269	220
Colorado State Rams	5-6	4-4	213	245
New Mexico Lobos	4-7	3-5	198	276

The table illustrates how Wyoming ranked near the bottom of the WAC in both wins and scoring differential. While Colorado State and New Mexico also struggled, Wyoming's point differential of -129 was the worst in the conference, underscoring the team's difficulties on both sides of the ball.

Why It Matters

Though the 1985 season was largely forgettable in terms of results, it marked the beginning of Dennis Erickson's tenure, which would eventually lead to national prominence. The season also serves as a case study in program rebuilding and the challenges of transitioning coaching staffs at the collegiate level.

Coaching legacy: Erickson's time at Wyoming was brief, but it launched a career that included two national titles as head coach at Miami.
Program foundation: The 1985 season laid groundwork for modest improvement, with Wyoming going 5-6 the following year under Erickson.
Recruiting impact: Erickson's aggressive recruiting style began shifting the team's talent level, though results took time to materialize.
Fan engagement: Poor performance led to declining attendance, highlighting the link between on-field success and fan support in college football.
Historical context: The season is remembered as one of Wyoming's worst, but it preceded more competitive years in the late 1980s.
Conference relevance: The Cowboys' struggles emphasized the growing competitiveness of the WAC and the need for modernized coaching strategies.

The 1985 Wyoming Cowboys may not be remembered for victories, but they represent a pivotal moment in the program's evolution under a future national champion head coach.