In the six-month period that ended on September 30, the average number of Sunday papers sold by the company was 81,000 less than the comparable period a year ago.

A. the average number of Sunday papers sold by the company was 81,000 less than
B. on average, the number of Sunday papers sold by the company was 81,000 less than it was
C. the company sold an average of 81,000 fewer Sunday papers than in
D. the company averaged sales of 81,000 fewer Sunday papers than what it did in
E. the average sale of Sunday papers for the company was 81,000 less than what they were in

C