What Is 2013 Central Arkansas Bears football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Central Arkansas Bears football team represented the University of Central Arkansas in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6-6 record under head coach Clint Conque. They competed in the Southland Conference and did not qualify for the FCS playoffs.

Key Facts

The 2013 Central Arkansas Bears finished the season with a 6-6 overall record
Head coach Clint Conque led the team during his fifth season at the helm
They played in the Southland Conference and went 4-4 in conference play
Quarterback Braden Smith started most games and threw for 1,817 yards
The Bears played home games at Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas

Overview

The 2013 Central Arkansas Bears football team represented the University of Central Arkansas during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Southland Conference, the Bears aimed to improve on previous campaigns but narrowly missed postseason eligibility.

Under the leadership of head coach Clint Conque, the team showed flashes of offensive potential but struggled with consistency on both sides of the ball. Despite a .500 overall record, the Bears failed to qualify for the FCS playoffs due to their conference performance and strength of schedule.

Record: The Bears finished the season with a 6-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Southland Conference play, placing them in the middle of the league standings.
Head Coach:Clint Conque, in his fifth year, led the program with a focus on rebuilding the team’s defensive discipline and offensive execution throughout the season.
Home Stadium: The team played its home games at Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas, a 10,000-seat venue that has been their home since 1968.
Quarterback:Braden Smith was the primary quarterback, throwing for 1,817 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 58% of his passes.
Key Game: A notable win came against Northwestern State in October, a 35-31 victory that showcased the team’s ability to rally in close contests.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 2013 Central Arkansas Bears football season followed standard NCAA FCS protocols, including conference scheduling, player eligibility, and postseason qualification rules.

Season Format: The Bears played a 12-game regular season schedule, with eight games against Southland Conference opponents and four non-conference matchups.
Postseason Eligibility: To qualify for the FCS playoffs, teams must meet NCAA criteria; Central Arkansas finished outside the top 24 in the national rankings, missing the cut.
Recruiting Pipeline: The team relied heavily on in-state talent, with over 40% of the roster hailing from Texas and Arkansas high schools.
Defensive Strategy: The Bears utilized a 4-2-5 defensive alignment, emphasizing speed and coverage, allowing an average of 27.8 points per game.
Offensive System: Running a spread offense, the Bears averaged 24.2 points per game and focused on a balanced attack between pass and run.
Strength of Schedule: Their non-conference slate included matchups against FBS opponent Arkansas (a 42-3 loss) and FCS power Eastern Washington.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Central Arkansas Bears compared to select Southland Conference peers:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
Central Arkansas	6-6	4-4	290	334
Southeastern Louisiana	7-5	5-3	346	287
Stephen F. Austin	6-5	5-3	307	265
McNeese State	7-5	5-3	312	278
Northwestern State	5-6	3-5	278	310

The Bears ranked in the middle of the Southland Conference pack, outscoring some opponents but struggling defensively in key games. Their point differential of -44 highlighted inconsistency, particularly in close matchups. While not dominant, the team remained competitive in most contests, a sign of gradual program development under Conque.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year that laid groundwork for future improvements in the Central Arkansas football program, both in recruiting and conference competitiveness.

Program Development: The season demonstrated progress in player development, with several underclassmen gaining critical starting experience.
Recruiting Impact: A competitive record helped boost recruiting efforts, particularly in securing JUCO transfers for the following season.
Conference Stability: Remaining competitive in the Southland helped maintain the Bears’ reputation as a mid-tier FCS program.
Coaching Evaluation: The 6-6 record prompted internal review, leading to minor staff adjustments in 2014 to enhance offensive efficiency.
Player Development: Quarterback Braden Smith and linebacker Darius Vinnett emerged as leaders, setting the tone for future seasons.
Fan Engagement: Attendance at Estes Stadium remained steady, averaging 6,200 fans per game, showing continued community support.

While not a breakthrough season, 2013 provided valuable lessons and roster growth that contributed to incremental improvement in subsequent years, reinforcing the long-term vision for Central Arkansas football.