Las Vegas Cowboys

The Las Vegas Cowboys was a team in the Continental Football League (CFL). They were an emergency replacement for the failed Quad Cities Raiders. They were active from 1968 to 1969.

The Cowboys started the 1968 season as a new member of the semi-pro Western Football League (WFL). They started the year in the WFL by defeating the Palm Springs Thunderbirds 65-0 in an exhibition. Their football destiny changed after 3 games in the WFL. The Quad City Raiders folded and the CFL needed someone to fill the hole in the Central Division. It is not known how or who approached the Cowboys to jump leagues, but on September 10, 1968 they jumped to the CFL. It was not a success. Going from a winning record, in the WFL, to getting regularly hammered in the CFL. Without missing a scheduled game, they took over the Raiders fixtures. On September 14th, they traveled to Indianapolis and absorbed a 41-0 whipping at the hands of theSacramento Capitols. The remainder of the season wasn't much better as the Cowboys finished 1 and 9. The only victory the club posted was 14-6 over the Sacramento Capitols. Their worst loss was 62-14 to the Chicago Owls. 27 players made the jump from the WFL to the CFL. At least one Raider traveled to Las Vegas: Warren Desadair played for both clubs at defensive end. The Cowboys, playing at Cashman Field, averaged 2540 per game for 6 dates.

A vast improvement in Las Vegas's record happened in 1969. With almost a 75% turnover in players plus a brand new coaching staff, the Cowboys felt themselves ready for the new year. The big coup was signing Tennessee All-American quarterback Dewey Warren which put the job in the hands of a very capable individual. He would finish 6th in the league in passing with over 2200 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The team finished at 8 and 4 tying for the Pacific Division title with the Sacramento Capitols. This forced a playoff game with Sacramento with Vegas winning 31-0 at Sacramento. This was the fifth time the two teams played. With this win, Las Vegas advanced to the Western Conference playoff versus the San Antontio Toros, champions of the Texas Division. Las Vegas had defeated the Toros earlier in the year, 20-14, before one of the bigger crowds they drew at home. The game was played in San Antonio with the home team winning 21-17. This win advanced the Toros the ConFL championship. Las Vegas's winning ways nearly doubled attendance at Cashman Field to more than 5000.

Linebacker Mike Foote was named to the ConFL All-Star team and defensive tackle Larry Cox (dt) was placed on the second team all- league. Four Cowboys players were picked to the Pacific Division All-Star team: Warren at quarterback, guard Bob Webb, Cox and Foote on defense.

Even with mass shakeout of clubs early in 1970, the Cowboys were going to continue, but were slated to move to Memphis. The CFL, however, did not.

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