Led by 27th-year head coach Monte Cater, the Rams compiled an overall record of 11–1 with a mark of 9–0 in conference play, winning the MEC title.
Shepherd advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs and received a first-round bye.
They beat Winston-Salem State in the second round before losing to West Chester in the quarterfinals.
The Rams went an undefeated 10–0 in the regular season and advanced to the 2013 NCAA Division II football playoffs as the number one seed in Super Region 1.
[3] The Rams won the MEC Championship after a season finale win against Concord.