They were led by sixth year head coach Sparky Woods and played their home games at Alumni Memorial Field.

2013 was VMI's final year as a member of the Big South, as they will move to the Southern Conference in 2014.

The Keydets achieved their first win of the year the following week by defeating Glenville State 34–27, thanks to a last second goal-line stand as time expired.

After a 37–24 loss to Division II North Greenville, VMI would endure a 7-game losing streak, falling to Virginia, Robert Morris in double overtime, Charleston Southern, Presbyterian, Coastal Carolina, and Liberty.

The Keydets' losing streak was snapped on November 9 with a decisive 27–9 win over Gardner–Webb.