October 20, 2008-October 26, 2008

Offense: Cory Sartorelli, Tailback, 6-1, 197, Junior, Appleton, Wis./North
Sartorelli picked up two rushing touchdowns this weekend, including one of 85 yards, as the Blugolds defeated UW-Platteville 20-10. His 85-yard score was the second longest rushing touchdown in school history, eclipsed only by his 91-yarder earlier this season. It was also the third longest run in school history. Sartorelli accumulated 188 yards on 34 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry. He now leads the WIAC with 980 rushing yards for the season and an average of 140 per game.

Defense: Dave Wicklund, Safety, 6-1, 206, Senior, Kewaskum, Wis.
Wicklund led the Blugolds in tackles this weekend as they took home a 20-10 victory over UW-Platteville. Wicklund finished the game with eight tackles, including a game-high six solo tackles. Late in the third quarter he also forced a fumble. For the season, Wicklund has totaled a team-high 52 tackles, including 38 solos and 14 assists.

Special Teams: Ryan Petersen, Punter/Kicker, 6-3, 215, Freshman, Wausau, Wis./East
Petersen handled the punting duties this weekend in the Blugolds' 20-10 win at UW-Platteville. He punted six times for a total of 199 yards, an average of 33.2 yards per punt. He also had a long of 58 and one touchback. Petersen also had two kickoffs and averaged 51.5 yards per kickoff.

September 29, 2008-October 5, 2008

Offense: Kyle Paulson, Quarterback, 6-5, 219, Junior, Amery, Wis.
Paulson threw a career-high three touchdown passes against the UW-Oshkosh Titans, as the Blugolds won 34-0 Saturday. For the game Paulson ended up with 220 yards, the third highest total in his career, on 15-for-20 passing. His first touchdown pass came on a 61-yard screen play to running back Cory Sartorelli. Paulson also threw touchdown passes of 33 and eight yards.

Defense: Matt Ebner, Defensive Line, 6-2, 261, Senior, Mindoro, Wis./Melrose-Mindoro
Ebner came up big for the Blugolds Saturday in their 34-0 win over UW-Oshkosh. For the game, Ebner finished with four tackles (three solos, one assist) including one-and-a-half sacks. He also added another tackle-for-loss in the contest.

Special Teams: Craig Kolb, Kicker/Punter, 6-1, 215, Junior, Marshfield, Wis.
In the Blugolds' 34-0 homecoming victory over UW-Oshkosh, Kolb hit two field goals, including the games' initial score to put the Blugolds up 3-0 on their first drive of the game. He also hit another near the end of the second quarter to send the Blugolds into halftime up 27-0. Kolb also had a good day punting, with three for an average of 50 yards per punt. One went for 60 yards, while two were inside the 20.

September 15, 2008-September 21, 2008

Offense: Cory Sartorelli, Tailback, 6-1, 197, Junior, Appleton, Wis./North
Sartorelli had a career day against Hope College (Mich.) as the Blugolds won 28-6. On 33 carries, Sartorelli accumulated 285 yards, including on run of 91 yards which resulted in a touchdown. The 91-yard touchdown run was the longest in school history, while the 285 yards are the third-highest single-game total in school history. Sartorelli also scored all four of the Blugolds' touchdowns on the ground. For the season Sartorelli now has 489 yards on 81 carries (163 yards per game).

Defense: Kyle Meulemans, Cornerback, 6-0, 173, Senior, Wrightstown, Wis.
Meulemans led the Blugolds this weekend in tackles as they defeated Hope College (Mich.) 28-6. Meulemans picked up 11 solo tackles and one assist in the contest. He also broke up two passes. Meulemans now has 16 total tackles for the season.

Special Teams: Craig Kolb, Punter/Kicker, 6-1, 215, Junior, Marshfield, Wis.
This weekend in the Blugolds' 28-6 victory over Hope College (Mich.), Kolb averaged 65.6 yards per kickoff and tallied three touchbacks on five kickoffs. He also punted three times, averaging 39 yards per punt with a long of 42. Kolb nailed four extra points as well, and one of came on a strange play with the ball hitting both uprights and then going in.

September 8, 2008-September 14, 2008

Offense: Cory Sartorelli, Tailback, 6-1, 197, Junior, Appleton, Wis./North
Sartorelli had 112 rushing yards and 24 carries while the Blugolds came up just short, losing 16-14 to second-ranked UW-Whitewater in their conference opener Saturday. Sartorelli also gave Eau Claire its first lead of the game on its first drive of the third quarter, a 7-6 lead. After a Craig Polifka interception, Sartorelli pounded the ball five yards on three plays to pick up the Blugolds' first touchdown of the contest.

Defense: Dave Wicklund, Safety, 6-1, 206, Senior, Kewaskum, Wis.
In the Blugolds 16-14 loss this weekend to second-ranked UW-Whitewater, Wicklund had a good showing on defense, coming up with 15 solo tackles and one assist in the contest. For the season Wicklund now leads the conference with 22 tackles and is tied for fourth in the WIAC, averaging 11 tackles per game this season.

Special Teams: Paul Bielmeier, Safety, 6-0, 197, Senior, Edgar, Wis.
Bielmeier had a good game this weekend at the long-snapper position for the Blugolds. Bielmeier also played on kickoffs and provided good cover down the field on punt and kick returns.

September 1, 2008-September 7, 2008

Offense: Cory Sartorelli, Tailback, 6-1, 197, Junior, Appleton, Wis./North
Cory Sartorelli led the Blugolds in rushing this weekend as the Blugolds got off to a 1-0 start with an 11-6 victory over No. 6-ranked NAIA opponent Bethel College (Tenn.). Sartorelli finished the day with 101 rushing yards on 24 attempts (3.8 yards per carry). He was also instrumental on the Blugolds' lone offensive score of the game. On that drive in the third quarter, Sartorelli ran the ball six times so get the Blugolds down to the nine yard line, which set up a touchdown pass from Kyle Paulson to David Goodman on the following play.

Defense: Brad Nierenhausen, Inside Linebacker, 6-2, 227, Junior, Cottage Grove, Minn./Park
Nierenhausen helped the Blugolds to an 11-6 victory over No. 6-ranked NAIA opponent Bethel College (Tenn.) in a strong defensive performance. Nierenhausen contributed two solo tackles and two assists, including a half sack and one-and-a-half tackles for loss. Nierenhausen also picked up one fumble in the second quarter. Nierenhausen and the rest of the Blugold defense came up big to get the Blugolds on the board early in the game. They sacked Bethel's quarterback twice in the endzone on the Wildcats' first two drives in the game, to put Eau Claire up 4-0. Nierenhausen's half sack came on the second safety.

Special Teams: Craig Polifka, Returner, 5-10, 179, Senior, Kewaunee, Wis.
In the Blugolds' 11-6 win over No. 6-ranked NAIA opponent Bethel College (Tenn.) Polifka played an important role on the special teams. He helped the Blugolds obtain good field position a number of times in the contest. For the game, Polifka totaled 59 yards with four kickoff returns, and had three tackles.