What Is 2013 Texas Southern Tigers football

Overview

The 2013 Texas Southern Tigers football team represented Texas Southern University during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Tigers struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–8 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Darrell Asberry, who was in his third year at the helm, the team faced challenges on both offense and defense. Despite improvements in SWAC competition, the Tigers failed to qualify for the conference championship or postseason play.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 3–8 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in SWAC games, showing better performance within the conference.
• Head Coach:Darrell Asberry led the program for the third consecutive season, aiming to rebuild competitiveness after previous losing campaigns.
• Home Stadium: The Tigers played their home games at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, a neutral-site venue shared with other teams.
• Offensive Output: Texas Southern scored 202 total points across 11 games, averaging 18.4 points per game, ranking near the bottom of FCS teams.
• Key Rivalry Game: The annual Bayou Classic was not played against Southern University this year, as Texas Southern did not face them during the season.

How It Works

College football programs like Texas Southern operate within the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), adhering to conference scheduling and postseason eligibility rules.

• Division: The Tigers compete in NCAA Division I FCS, the second-highest level of college football, which allows for postseason playoffs.
• Conference: As a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Texas Southern plays against HBCU institutions like Grambling and Prairie View.
• Season Structure: The 2013 season included 11 regular-season games, with no bowl or playoff appearance due to their losing record.
• Recruiting: The program relies on regional talent, particularly from Houston and East Texas high schools, to build its roster annually.
• Coaching Staff: Asberry’s staff focused on developing quarterbacks and improving a defense that allowed 31.5 points per game on average.
• Game Strategy: The offense utilized a spread formation, but inconsistent execution led to only 13 total touchdowns over the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Texas Southern Tigers compared to key SWAC rivals in performance and statistics:

The data shows Texas Southern ranked near the bottom in scoring and defensive performance. While their SWAC record matched Prairie View’s, they allowed significantly more points, highlighting defensive struggles throughout the season.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year for Texas Southern football, reflecting broader challenges faced by smaller FCS programs in maintaining consistent performance.

• Program Development: The season underscored the need for long-term investment in coaching and recruiting to remain competitive in the SWAC.
• Player Development: Several underclassmen gained experience, setting the foundation for future roster growth in subsequent seasons.
• Conference Relevance: Despite a losing record, Texas Southern remained a participant in historic HBCU football traditions like the SWAC schedule.
• Facility Limitations: Playing home games at a downtown stadium limited fan engagement and home-field advantage compared to on-campus venues.
• Media Exposure: Games broadcast on ESPN3 and SWAC Network provided visibility, helping promote the university nationally.
• Historical Context: The 2013 campaign was part of a rebuilding phase that eventually led to improved results by the late 2010s.

While the 2013 season did not yield postseason honors, it contributed to the long-term evolution of Texas Southern’s football identity within the HBCU landscape.