Thanks for checking out the dynasty and I’m here to begin the quest for football relevancy in the FBS with a team from Mazomanie, Wisconsin.
The Mustangs have made the leap from FCS to FBS after receiving an invite to the MAC conference due to consistent top level play in the FCS that included five postseason appearances, three conference titles in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and one national title victory over Montana in 2011, 30-17.
“This is the best day of my life.” - HC Hyde following Mazo’s first title victory
Despite their national title in 2011, the team hit a bump in the road the following season falling to a surprising 3-9 record, thus causing concern for what their future could be in the FBS with their promotion taking place starting with the 2013 season under head coach Graham Hyde…
...Or so they thought it would be with their longtime HC.
One week after their 2012 season came to an end, it became breaking news that Mazomanie was on the search for a new top dog. Someone who knew what the program’s vision was. Someone who knew what Mazomanie was capable of. Someone who hasn’t had a chance at being a head coach yet. Something fresh. The team looked high and low for a new coach, considering any coach from their local high-school football team all the way to has-been collegiate coaches. And after four weeks of interviewing plenty of candidates, there was a decision made:
They wanted current LB coach and assistant DC Troy Kahl Sr to man the team.
Helping coach a top 15 overall defense in 5 of the past 9 seasons, plus a winner of the Buck Buchanan Award (which is awarded to DPOY in FCS), Coach Kahl knows what it takes for a defense to succeed. Some may say that an in-house hire isn’t what is needed for Mazo to get the ball going again, but AD Dan Andersen was adamant that Kahl will get the ball going for Mazomanie. Kahl has signed for a reportedly 5yr/$170k contract, not including potential incentives.
“We’re looking forward to what Coach Kahl can bring to this team and how we can grow as a school. I have no doubt in this hire. At all.” - AD Dan Andrews speaking at a press conference introducing their new head coach.
Well, since we have learned a brief backstory for the Mustangs and who is leading their team for the time being, let’s get to know who makes up the team with the week one depth chart:
| Mazomanie Mustangs Depth Chart - 2013 | ||||
| Regular Offense | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| WR | Jared Thirstin (rsSr) | Ben Aude (Fr) | Carl Kenna (rsFr) | |
| TE | Braxton Rodson (rsJr) | Evan Malinchock (Fr) | ||
| LT | Jarrick Curtis (Sr) | Christopher Burton (rsFr) | ||
| LG | Rhys Bohinski (So) | Werrick Jay-Peterson (Jr) | ||
| C | Tonnell Howell (rsSr) | Rakeem Moore (rsJr) | ||
| RG | Charles Kreuger (Sr) | Kenny Kendriks (Fr) | ||
| RT | Hakeem Lewis (rsSr) | Rick Beyer (rsSr) | ||
| WR | Dan Carlon (Sr) | Chewie Benton (Jr) | Tyler Barman (rsJr) | |
| QB | Zay Walker (rsJr) | Rashad Muhammed (rsSr) | Carter Kahl (rsFr) | |
| FB | Joey Ellsworth (rsSo) | Jimble Tingus (Sr) | ||
| HB | Derek Chandler (rsSr) | Davon Garret (rsJr) | Joe Gordon (Fr) | Rocky Moon (So) |
| Base 3-4 Defense | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| LDE | Hugh Breen (rsSo) | Seth Brickshaw (Jr) | Nathn Winxord (Sr) | |
| NT | Adrian Poole-Rodgers (Sr) | Jaylen Kistler (rsSo) | Vondell Henry (rsJr) | Mick Michaelson (rsSo) |
| RDE | Lamont Wilkins (Jr) | Greg Meyer (Fr) | Shaq Hawkins (So) | |
| LOLB | Ezekiel Rogers (So) | Ryan Miller (Jr) | Ternton Storl (Fr) | |
| LILB | Ronnie DiCormick (rsSr) | Eli Parker (Fr) | ||
| RILB | Dablinko Ferguson (Sr) | Rufus Mack (Fr) | ||
| ROLB | Lamar Janeston (rsSr) | Timus Franc (rsSo) | Jonathon Kler (rsFr) | |
| CB | Dayton Larson (Sr) | Orlando Clark (rsSr) | Ryan Callings (Fr) | |
| SS | Tre Bond (Sr) | Phil Tickle (Fr) | ||
| FS | Ronald Harveyclemon (rsSr) | Spud Gregg (Fr) | ||
| CB | Ford Schultz (Sr) | Jonathan King (Fr) | ||
| Special Teams | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| K | Richard Muncher (rsSo) | |||
| P | Dietrich Adler (rsJr) | |||
| PR | Ronald Harveyclemon (rsSr | Dan Carlon (Sr) | Ford Schultz (Sr) | |
| KR | Ben Aude (Fr) | Ryan Callings (Fr) | Ford Schultz (Sr) | |
| LS | Jarrick Curtis (Sr) | Charles Kreuger (Sr) | ||
With the information provided, we're about ready to kick off our opening game! Let's see what the schedule is for the first FBS season in Mustang history!
| Mazomanie Mustangs 2013 Schedule | ||||
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | ||
| Sep 1 | vs Bye Week | |||
| Sep 7 | at #6 LSU | |||
| Sep 12 | at Wisconsin | |||
| Sep 21 | vs Western Michigan | |||
| Sep 28 | vs Nebraska State | |||
| Oct 5 | at Fresno State | |||
| Oct 12 | vs Miami (OH) (Homecoming) | |||
| Oct 19 | at Buffalo | |||
| Oct 26 | at Central Michigan | |||
| Nov 2 | at Bowling Green | |||
| Nov 9 | vs Northern Illinois | |||
| Nov 16 | vs Bye Week | |||
| Nov 23 | vs Akron (Senior Day) | |||
| Nov 30 | at Ohio | |||
| Dec 7 | vs Conference Championship Week | |||
The season kicks off in what is expected to be an experience for the players and that's about it. I don't believe the Mustangs are expecting to put up a fight in Death Valley, as the gameday atmosphere down there is one that any player can get rattled by, let alone a brand new FBS school. LSU opens the season ranked #6 in the nation and currently are the only ranked opponent on Mazomanie's schedule.
The following week we get to see the inaugural battle for the Cheese Curd Trophy versus Wisconsin at 'Barry Alvarez Field' at Camp Randall Stadium. Mazomanie is only half an hour away from UW-Madison so I think it's safe to say you'll hear some fans from Mazo's side.
After that, conference play opens up in Mazomanie vs Western Michigan at Lions Park. Following that matchup, it's back-to-back Non-Conf matchups vs Nebraska State followed by traveling to Fresno St. Those matchups round out the non-conference portion of the schedule as Mazo will open their conference play at home before traveling for the following three.

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