Wyoming and Brigham Young renew an old football rivalry tomorrow night at Provo.
That used to be a given.
But on today's collegiate football landscape, it's news.
Through the years these two institutions were partners in three different conferences for 89 years (1921-2010). The Cougars and Cowboys just naturally played one another. We all took it for granted.
That changed when schools began jumping conferences. When Utah moved on to the PAC-12, the Cougs were left in the twilight zone. BYU had to do something, and became an independent. It has worn that tag for the past 11 seasons. But that change when it joins the Big 12 in 2023.
After all those years, just two games are currently scheduled between these two schools, tomorrow's in Provo, and on Sept. 14, 2024 here in Laramie. Sadly, the two schools may never play again after that.
It's been a rough series of late for Wyoming. BYU has won 15 more games in the series than the Cowboys, but has won eight consecutive games in the series, and 11 of the last 12. BYU used to be just okay in football. But that all changed when LaVell Edwards took over as head coach. This 2022 season marks the 50th anniversary of the Edwards era. He became head coach in 1972, and transformed BYU into a football powerhouse. Before his arrival, the Cougars were averaging four wins a year. After his arrival that total went to 8.6 per season, including a national championship and an induction into the College Football Hal of Fame.
Those facts aside, the Pokes have had their moments against their old neighbor.
While no Cowboy fan will evert forget the 1988 victory, the first-ever night game in War Memorial Stadium. There have been others.
I happen to have three memories that aren't near as famous.
I know you are shocked by this, but all three were Cowboy victories
The first was extra special to me. My Dad, who was the radio engineer for Larry Birleffi and the Intermoutain Radio Network broadcasting Cowboy games, took me to Provo, for the 1966 matchup. It was so exciting for me because it was my first experience on an airplane.
It was Nov. 19, 1966, and was billed as the matchup of the year in the Western Athletic Conference. The Cougars, under Tommy Hudspeth, had produced an outstanding season with quarterback Virgil Carter. The Pokes were 8-1 (only the CSU bounce-pass loss the only blemish), and a victory would give them the league title.
The expected battle never materialized. Poke quarterback Rick Egloff was sensational while throwing four touchdown passes, and Wyoming's nationally-ranked defense drove Carter and the Cougars crazy—defensive backs Dick Speights and Paul Toscano each intercepted Carter twice. By halftime the Pokes were in total control, leading 23-8. But they added 21 points in the fourth quarter make it a rout, 47-14. The exclamation point on the victory was provided by Vic Washington who closed the day's scoring with an electrifying 95-yard kickoff return after the Cougars had scored their second touchdown late in the game.
I was never so proud of the Cowboys.
My second favorite Wyoming experience with the Cougars also came at Provo. It was the year prior to that '88 game. The date was Oct. 10, 1987, and Paul Roach was in his first season as head coach. The Pokes were up and down prior to the BYU game, going 3-2. This game would change all that.
It didn't start out well, as the Pokes trailed 14-0, at halftime. I'd been in that stadium enough to know that in Provo, things could turn ugly in the second half.
Quite the contrary. With Wyoming quarterback Craig Burnett on fire, and the defense making big plays, the Cowboys came back with 29 unanswered points in the third quarter, and won a classic game, 29-27. Burnett finished the game with 308 yards and three touchdown tosses to tight end Tom Kilpatrick, running back Darrell Perkins and wide receiver Anthony Sargent. Linebacker Mike Schenbeck produced nine tackle and defensive back Mike Hill added eight for the defense.
It was an unexpected result, but energized the Cowboys. They strung six straight victories together following that game, won the WAC title, and lost by one point to Iowa in the Holiday Bowl. That game was the catalyst for a great season.
My final favorite memory in the series came on Oct. 24, 1981. War Memorial Stadium was the stage for this one. The Cowboys, under Al Kincaid, were 4-2 heading into the game while BYU, with Jim McMahon at quarterback, came to Laramie ranked 13th in the country. Game-time temperature was 32 degrees, and it was snowing. The Cowboy faithful was hopeful that the conditions might slow down McMahon and his high-powered offense.
When the game unfolded, it didn't bother him at all. He threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter, including a 63-yarder to receiver Austin Collie, and BYU led 14-0 after one period. As they did in the '87 game, the Cowboys battled back, this time in the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns to tie the game at half.
Instead of the Jim McMahon Show, the second half turned into the Phil Davis Show. Operating out of the Wishbone offense, the Cowboy quarterback rushed 16 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns of 30, 32 and 28 yards. Meanwhile the defense—with names like-- John Salley, Reggie Fowler, Charlie Gaines, Chuck Pagno, Rick Farnsworth and Darnell Clash—limited BYU to just six points in the second half and the Cowboys won, 33-20
The BYU backbreaker was an 81-yard touchdown connection between Davis and tight end James Williams. I will never forget that scene, Williams streaking down the sideline, in the snow, for the TD that sealed the win.
What a day for Wyoming.
I'm hoping the Pokes have another one tomorrow night. Like my three "best-memories" the deck is probably stacked against them. But it can happened, and it certainly has.
Nevertheless, I'm sad that this rivalry is probably coming to an end. I hate to see that happen. Another tradition that has made college football so special, is going away. It's too bad.
