What Is 2013 Nicholls State Colonels football

Overview

The 2013 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a member of the Southland Conference, the team was led by head coach Charlie Stubbs, who was in his third year at the helm.

The Colonels played their home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and finished the season with a winning record, marking improvement from previous years. Despite a strong showing, they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 7–5 overall record, the first winning season for the program since 2005.
• Conference performance: In Southland Conference play, the Colonels went 5–3, placing them in the middle of the league standings.
• Head coach: Charlie Stubbs led the team in his third season, aiming to rebuild the program after years of subpar results.
• Stadium: All home games were played at John L. Guidry Stadium, a 10,500-seat venue located on campus in Thibodaux.
• Quarterback play: Kole McKamey started all 12 games, throwing for 2,307 yards and 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Season Performance & Key Games

The 2013 season featured several notable performances and close contests, with the Colonels showing resilience in conference play. They opened the season with a loss but quickly rebounded to win four of their next five games.

• Season opener: Nicholls lost 45–10 to Southeastern Louisiana on August 31, a tough start to the season.
• First win: The Colonels earned their first victory on September 14 with a 31–24 win over Houston Baptist.
• Midseason surge: A four-game winning streak in October included victories over Central Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin.
• Defensive effort: The defense held McNeese State to 17 points in a key 24–17 win on November 9.
• Season finale: Nicholls closed the season with a 41–38 loss to Sam Houston State on November 23.
• Offensive stats: The team averaged 26.8 points per game and 387.3 yards of total offense per contest.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Colonels compared to recent seasons in terms of performance and key metrics:

The 2013 season stands out as one of the better years during Stubbs’ tenure. While the team showed progress and achieved a winning record, they fell short of postseason eligibility. The following years saw a decline, culminating in Stubbs’ departure after the 2014 season.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a turning point in terms of momentum for Nicholls State football, even if long-term success remained elusive. It demonstrated that the program could compete at a higher level within the Southland Conference.

• Program progress: The 7–5 record was the best since 2005, signaling potential under Stubbs’ leadership.
• Recruiting impact: A winning season helped boost visibility and attract stronger recruits in subsequent years.
• Player development: Quarterback Kole McKamey’s full season of starting experience proved valuable for future growth.
• Fan engagement: Improved performance led to increased attendance and campus enthusiasm.
• Coaching evaluation: Despite the record, Stubbs was let go after 2014, showing that consistency was still lacking.
• Foundation for change: The 2013 season laid groundwork for future improvements under new coach Tim Rebowe, hired in 2015.

While the 2013 Nicholls State Colonels did not reach the FCS playoffs, their season remains a notable chapter in the program’s history. It represented a brief peak during a transitional era and offered hope for future competitiveness in the Southland Conference.