Which Wyoming Cowboy wore it best? No. 76

CHEYENNE — Do you ever see a number on a Wyoming football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Yeah, me too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Pokes’ football player was the best ever to don each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at UW? What kind of impact did he have on the program?

No. 76 – Mike LaHood

Offensive tackle, 1965-67, Peoria, Ill.

Résumé in Laramie
Mike LaHood was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection at offensive tackle during some of the best years of Cowboy football. Under head coach Lloyd Eaton, Wyoming went 26-6 during his three seasons on varsity. LaHood was also a member of the 1968 NFL Draft class that saw a record five Cowboys hear their names called.

Why LaHood?
Like our pick for No. 75, Byra Kite, Mike LaHood was a standout on the Cowboys offensive line during the golden era of the program.

Wyoming dominated on the gridiron during LaHood's tenure in Laramie, compiling a record of 20-2 during his junior and senior seasons, which both ended with All-Western Athletic Conference honors.

The 1966 and '67 seasons also ended with conference titles and the Cowboys playing in major bowl games.

Wyoming knocked off Florida State 28-20 in the Sun Bowl during LaHood's junior campaign. His final game came in New Orleans on New Year's Day where the Cowboys fell just short against the mighty LSU Tigers, 20-13.

LaHood was enshrined in the UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. His plaque says: "A gifted offensive lineman who was as hard-nosed as they came, Lahood anchored the Cowboy line for three seasons ... He was the only offensive lineman to start every game for the undefeated 1967 team and helped pave the way for all-conference seasons by quarterback Paul Toscano, tailback Jim Kiick, and receiver Gene Huey."

A record five Cowboys were selected in the 1968 NFL Draft.

Jerry DePoyster was the first UW player to hear his name called. He was selected in the second round by the Detroit Lions. Next came LaHood, who went to the Los Angeles Rams 14 picks later. The Dolphins took Kiick in the fifth round and Mike Dirks was selected by the Eagles four picks later. Toscano went to Houston in the seventh.

LaHood was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after just one season in LA. However, the Rams brought him back in 1970. He played two seasons in the Coliseum. LaHood wrapped up his career in the Canadian Football League.

Honorable mention
Ray Lutterman (1950-55) was an All-Mountain States Athletic Conference selection in 1954 and a team captain. Lutterman, a Wisconsin native, played in Wyoming's first bowl game in 1950, a 20-7 victory over Washington & Lee in the Gator Bowl. The tackle also suited up for a 21-14 Sun Bowl win over Texas Tech in 1955.

Lutterman died Nov. 24, 2016 at the New Horizons Care Center in Lovell.

"Ray married Bonnie Jean Loomis Aug. 6, 1955," his obituary reads. "He graduated from the University of Wyoming May 26, 1956, with honors. Ray then went into the service. He served in Fort Ord, Calif., and Korea as a supply clerk. During the time at Fort Ord he played football with the Fort Ord Warriors. While he was serving his country, his first child Scott was born in Wheatland."

Who else wore No. 76
Bob Houser (T), Andy Marr (DT), Dan Bertelson (OG), Pat Arndt (OG), Kevin Schltoskey (DT), Kirk Van Roekel (OT), Phil Cafferty (OT), Bert Merlo (DT), Jay Dirks (OG), Henry Randle (OG), Kyle Howard (OL), Josh Leonard (OL), Justis Borton (OL/ NT)