What Is 2013 Missouri State Bears football

Overview

The 2013 Missouri State Bears football team represented Missouri State University during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Led by head coach Tim Walsh, the team competed in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), one of the most competitive FCS leagues in the nation.

The Bears showed improvement over previous seasons, posting a winning record for the first time since 2008. Despite a strong finish, they narrowly missed qualifying for the FCS playoffs, falling short on tiebreakers despite a solid 7–5 overall record.

• Seven wins marked Missouri State’s best season since 2008, reflecting progress under second-year head coach Tim Walsh.
• The team played its home games at the Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Missouri, which has a capacity of 17,500.
• They finished 4–4 in MVFC play, tying for fifth place in the nine-team conference standings.
• Quarterback Braden Comegys led the offense, throwing for 1,819 yards and 13 touchdowns during the season.
• The Bears’ defense recorded 18 interceptions and forced 26 total turnovers, a key factor in their improved performance.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign featured a mix of close wins and tough losses against top-tier FCS competition. Missouri State opened the season with a 35–28 victory over Southeast Missouri State and later defeated Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa.

• September 14, 2013: The Bears defeated Southern Illinois 38–31 in a high-scoring shootout, showcasing offensive improvement.
• October 12, 2013: A 34–17 win over Northern Iowa highlighted the team’s ability to compete with ranked opponents.
• The team’s only non-conference loss came against Arkansas State, an FBS program, by a 38–21 margin.
• Missouri State lost two conference games by a combined seven points, underscoring how close they were to a playoff berth.
• The season concluded with a 34–14 win over Indiana State, giving the Bears a winning record for the first time in five years.

Comparison at a Glance

Missouri State’s 2013 season can be better understood by comparing key statistics to conference peers and the previous year’s performance.

The table shows Missouri State’s significant improvement from the 3–8 record in 2012. While they didn’t match the dominance of powerhouses like North Dakota State, their 7–5 record and balanced scoring demonstrated a program on the rise. The Bears allowed fewer points in 2013 and scored over 75 more points than the previous season.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a turning point for Missouri State football, signaling potential for future success after years of subpar records. The team’s ability to win close games and compete with top MVFC teams built momentum for recruiting and fan engagement.

• The season re-established competitive credibility for the program within the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
• Improved quarterback play under Braden Comegys laid the foundation for future offensive development.
• Defensive takeaways, including 18 interceptions, were crucial in tight victories and field position battles.
• The 7–5 record helped boost attendance and local media coverage in Springfield.
• Tim Walsh’s leadership in his second year showed progress, though he was later replaced after 2014.
• The season remains a benchmark for measuring future improvement in Missouri State’s long-term FCS aspirations.

While the Bears didn’t reach the playoffs, the 2013 season served as a critical step forward in rebuilding the football program’s culture and competitiveness at the FCS level.