UW-Eau Claire Bluegolds (4-3 WiAC, 6-4 Overall in 2009)
Last year, the Bluegolds finished strong winning 4 of their final 5 games to secure a winning record and 4th place in the WIAC. The Bluegolds lose the 2009 WIAC total offense leader, qb Kyle Paulson. Paulson led the WIAC in passing yardage, was second in passing efficiency, and threw 24 TD passes against only 8 interceptions. The Bluegolds also lose the 4th leading WIAC rusher Cory Sartorelli who rushed for 1,022 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. UW-EC only ran 19 offensive plays all year (including non-conference games) that wasn't a run or pass by either Paulson or Sartorelli. In all, the Bluegolds lose 6 starters from the #2 ranked offensive unit in the WIAC. Receiver David Goodman, who caught 39 passes for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns last year will be back.
UW-EC loses 7 starters from a defense that ranked next to last in scoring defense a year ago giving up an average of 32.2 points per game in WIAC action. The Bluegolds ranked 7th in rushing defense and 7th in passing defense in 09.
Eau Claire ranked in the top half of the WIAC with a 4-3 record in 09 largely on the skilled arm and feet of Paulson and the hard running of Sartorelli. The potency of the offense covered up many of the weaknesses in other areas of the team. However, against the top three teams in the league, the Bluegolds were 0-3 and outscored 122-62. Although the SID poll chooses UWEC to repeat their fourth place finish, that will require a tremendous team effort, shoring up areas of weakness, and replacing their two most potent weapons.
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