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The Eagles have the makings of a good to outstanding defense. The pieces of the puzzle — athletic young cornerbacks Derek Dreher and Matt Winney, playmaking end Joe Troia, veteran linebacker Drew Kiefer — are all there. The season will hinge on it all fitting together under first-year coordinator Jeff Conway.
Key Stat: UW-L recorded a conference-low 19 turnovers last year.
2. Surviving September
UW-L opens its season against Hardin-Simmons (Texas) on Saturday. The Cowboys (35th), like the Eagles (33rd), are an honorable mention pick in the D3football.com preseason poll. Next, the Eagles travel to NCAA Division I FCS North Dakota on Sept. 13, then wrap up the nonconference schedule at NAIA No. 23 Azusa Pacific (Calif.).
Key stat: The Eagles went 2-0 in nonconference road games in 2006 (vs.
Div. I-AA South Dakota State and Azusa Pacific) en route to an at-large playoff berth.
3. Offensive line
Tailback Eric Donoval is poised for a breakout season, quarterback Griffin Moe returns after leading the WIAC in passing, and despite a lack of game experience, the Eagles’ primary wideouts, 6-3 Tyler Keeney and 6-3 Kyle Steffen, appear to be ready for prime time. If the line provides time and space for the skilled guys to operate, UW-L’s offense could make some defenses look silly.
Key stat: UW-L’s line allowed 22 sacks last year, tied for lowest in the conference.
4. Getting physical
Eagles coach Larry Terry re-emphasized physical testing this spring and fall — he’d set it aside in recent years to avoid injuries — with the intent of having a bigger, stronger, more punishing team on both sides of the ball. Terry said he was surprised to watch game film last year and see the Eagles, normally one of the WIAC’s most physical teams, getting pushed around at times.
Key stat: UW-L ranked sixth in red zone offense and seventh in red zone defense last year.
5. The Winona Factor
To a man, the Eagles have been downplaying the fact that their four home games will be played outside La Crosse, 30 miles north at Winona State University. Even practices are affected by construction of the new stadium. Will the lack of a true home field become an issue, especially in what should be challenging games against Hardin-Simmons and Eau Claire (Oct. 11)? Or will UW-L overcome and even thrive as road warriors?
Key stat: UW-L last played at Winona in 2001, a 31-22 loss to WSU.
