The 2013 Mississippi Valley State football season may not have been filled with as many wins as most would have hoped, but it what it did include was experiences that MVSU players will have for a lifetime. 

For the first time in school history, Valley played in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney -- a game that pitted the Delta Devils against Florida A&M in front of live national audience on ESPNU. Also, the second largest crowd in the nine-year history of the event -- 24,376 -- attended the game, which ended with a 27-10 win for the Rattlers. MVSU players honored a fallen teammate during the game by wearing a No. 47 decal on their helmets in honor of Kevin Monzon, who died in a car accident before the season began. 

Valley eventually finished the season 2-9 (2-7 SWAC) under head coach Karl Morgan in his fourth season at the helm. The Delta Devils garnered a 28-9 win over Alabama A&M on Oct. 5 and a 20-17 victory over Texas Southern on Nov. 9. Despite its losing record, MVSU lost five of its games by 10 points or less including a couple of seven-point losses to Alcorn State (35-28) and Grambling State (47-40). 

During the offseason, Morgan was replaced with former Jackson State head coach Rick Comegy, who led the Tigers to back-to-back championship game appearances and a SWAC title in 2007.

Collins, Ivy split time at QB

Due to a persistent injury to starting quarterback Patrick Ivy, senior Jeremy Collins saw action in eight games during the 2013 season. Collins, a Greenwood, Miss. native, finished his final year with 575 passing yards and four TDs to go with three interceptions. Against Jackson State on Oct. 12, Collins threw for a career-high 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, Ivy, in his first year at MVSU after transferring from the College of Dupage, led the Delta Devils with 1,443 yards, 10 TDs and nine interceptions. Ivy was also second on the team in rushing with 260 yards and five scores on the ground. In his final four games, he threw for at least 200 yards including 267 yards and two touchdowns against Grambling State. Ivy is expected to battle for the starting job in 2014 with fellow senior Carl Davis, Jr. 

Stafford shines again in junior campaign 

Heralded redshirt junior receiver Julian Stafford surpassed the 50 reception mark for the second straight season in 2013 -- hauling in 52 catches for 694 yards and three TDs. He led the team in all categories and remained just as effective as a kick returner -- finishing with 32 returns for 738 yards and a TD, upping his career total to three. The Memphis native had a season-high 113 yards on six receptions against Grambling State. His lone kick return TD came on a 97-yard scamper against Texas Southern on Nov. 9. Stafford was named First Team All-SWAC by College Sports Madness as a return specialist and a Second Team receiver. 

Simpson finishes MVSU career

MVSU defensive tackle/end Robert Simpson entered the season as one of the most talked about players in HBCU football after racking up 22.5 tackles for loss in his junior year. The Gulfport, Miss. native didn't match those numbers in 2013 but he was productive. He was fourth on the team in tackles with 65 (14.5 for loss) and had a team-high 4.5 sacks to go with a pair of blocked kicks. Simpson was named First Team All-SWAC by College Sports Madness. 

Boykin makes most of opportunity 

Many people may not knew of the name Avery Boykin before the 2013 season, but by November his name was ringing on every SWAC campus. The Wilmington, Del. native, who transferred to MVSU from Glendale Community College, splashed on the scene in 2013 and showed opposing offenses why he is one of the most feared defensive backs in the nation. He led the SWAC in interceptions (6) and had 57 tackles on the season. Boykin is again expected to play an integral role in the Valley defense in 2014. 

Where they ranked 

Scoring Offense (18.5 - 8th in SWAC)

Scoring Defense (28.2 - 5th in SWAC)

Total Offense (269.7 - 10th in SWAC)

Total Defense (371.3 - 4th in SWAC)

Rushing Offense (85.7 - 10th in SWAC)

Rushing Defense (156.2 - 4th in SWAC)

Pass Offense (184.0 - 9th in SWAC)

Pass Defense (215.1 - 5th in SWAC)

Interceptions (18 - 1st in SWAC)

Field Goals (.857 - 1st in SWAC)

Sacks by (21 - 5th in SWAC)

Sacks against (22 - 4th in SWAC)

First Downs (14.1 - 10th in SWAC)

Penalties (72.7 - 6th in SWAC)

Opponent Penalties (82.4 - 1st in SWAC)