What Is 2013 Murray State Racers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Willie Simmons. They competed in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), going 4–4 in conference play, and played home games at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Key Facts

The 2013 Murray State Racers finished the season with a 6–5 overall record
They went 4–4 in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 2013 season
Head coach Willie Simmons led the team in his first year at the helm
The Racers played home games at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Kentucky
Quarterback Casey Brockman was a key player before graduating in 2012

Overview

The 2013 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). It was the program's 94th season of football, and the team competed under first-year head coach Willie Simmons, who took over after the departure of previous leadership.

The Racers showed moderate improvement compared to recent seasons, posting a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. While they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, the season was viewed as a step forward in rebuilding the program after several challenging years.

First-year head coach Willie Simmons led the team in 2013, taking over after a transition period following the previous coach’s departure, marking a new era for the program.
The Racers finished the season with a 6–5 overall record, their first winning season since 2010, signaling progress under new leadership.
Their 4–4 record in OVC play placed them in the middle of the conference standings, competing against teams like Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State.
Home games were played at Roy Stewart Stadium, a 20,800-seat venue in Murray, Kentucky, which has hosted Racers football since 1930.
Key players included quarterback Casey Brockman, who had been a standout in prior years, though the 2013 season relied more on developing younger talent.

Season Structure and Performance

The 2013 season followed the standard NCAA FCS schedule, featuring a 12-game regular season with eight conference matchups in the OVC. The Racers opened the season in September and concluded in November, facing a mix of in-state rivals and regional opponents.

September 7, 2013: The Racers opened with a loss to Western Illinois, 21–14, highlighting early offensive struggles.
Non-conference games included matchups against Western Illinois, Tennessee State, and Murray State’s I-A opponent, Georgia State, which they lost 41–10.
Homecoming victory on November 2: Murray State defeated Eastern Kentucky 28–21, one of the season’s highlights in front of a packed Roy Stewart Stadium.
Defensive improvement was evident mid-season, as the team held three opponents under 20 points, a marked change from previous years’ defensive lapses.
The season concluded with a loss to Tennessee Tech on November 23, ending their campaign with a 6–5 record and no postseason berth.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Murray State Racers to recent seasons and OVC peers:

Season	Overall Record	OVC Record	Head Coach	Postseason
2013	6–5	4–4	Willie Simmons	No
2012	2–9	2–6	Don Morton (interim)	No
2011	1–11	1–7	Kenny Martin	No
2010	7–4	6–2	Kenny Martin	No
2009	6–5	5–3	Kenny Martin	No

The 2013 season represented a rebound from three consecutive losing seasons, particularly after the 1–11 record in 2011. While not as strong as the 2010 campaign, the 6–5 finish showed improvement in consistency and competitiveness. Compared to OVC rivals like Eastern Illinois (7–4) and Jacksonville State (10–3), the Racers remained mid-tier but demonstrated growth under new coaching leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional but significant year for Murray State football, laying groundwork for future development in the OVC. Though not a championship contender, the team's performance helped stabilize the program after years of instability.

The hiring of Willie Simmons marked a shift toward modernizing the offense and recruiting strategies to better compete in the FCS landscape.
Developing younger players during the 2013 season set the foundation for improved performance in subsequent years, including a turnaround by 2015.
Competitive games against strong OVC teams like Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Tech showed the Racers could contend in conference play.
Improved attendance and fan engagement during homecoming and rivalry games indicated renewed interest in the program.
The season highlighted the importance of quarterback development, as the team rotated multiple signal-callers trying to replace graduated Brockman.
Stability in coaching and recruiting during 2013 helped prevent further decline and positioned the team for incremental improvement in the following years.

Ultimately, the 2013 Murray State Racers season served as a rebuilding year that restored some competitiveness to the program, setting the stage for future progress in the Ohio Valley Conference.