| Year: | 1971 |
| Team: | Wyoming Cowboys |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Western Athletic Conference |
| Short Conf: | WAC |
| Record: | 5–6 |
| Conf Record: | 3–4 |
| Head Coach: | Fritz Shurmur |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Captain: | Mick Carter, Gary Fox |
| Stadium: | War Memorial Stadium |
The 1971 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Led by first-year head coach Fritz Shurmur, the Cowboys compiled a record of 5–6 overall and 3–4 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the WAC. The team played home games on campus at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming.
Shurmur had been the defensive line coach at Wyoming for nine years under head coach Lloyd Eaton, who resigned in December 1970. Shurmur was reassigned to assistant athletic director, and Shurmur was promoted to head coach.[1] [2]
One Cowboy was selected in the 1972 NFL draft, which lasted seventeen rounds (442 selections).[3]
| Player | Position | Round | Overall | NFL team | |
| Guard | 110 | St. Louis Cardinals |