1959 Football Team

(Click the picture on the right to view the entire team picture)

Ranked 16th in the country, the 1959 Cowboys were rated in the top 10 of almost every statistical category nationally.  Coached by the legendary Bob Devaney, Wyoming won the Skyline Conference Championship with a 9-1 record.   Ranked fifth in scoring, fifth in total defense and first in punt returns nationally, the Cowboys boasted a balanced attack led by guard (and team captain) Len Kuczewski on defense and quarterback Jim Walden on offense.  The Cowboys scored 287 points while allowing their opponents just 62 points. Halfback Jerry Hill and fullback Mark Smolinski led the Cowboys’ rushing attack. Wyoming led the Skyline Conference in total offense, rushing yards and first downs and were also ranked number one in defense.  Kuczewski, Walden, and Hill earned honorable mention All-America honors.  Kuczewski and Walden were also first team all-Conference selections, while end Marty Hamilton, tackle Dick Schnell, guard Pat Smyth and Hill earned second team honors.  The AP and UPI named Walden, Kuczewski and Hill all-Skyline selections.  Walden led the conference in total yards with 1,211.  Devaney was voted the Skyline Conference Coach of the Year. Smyth received the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete award and, along with Hamilton, earned academic all-conference honors.