Two interceptions by NIU cornerback Randall Townsel against Western Illinois Saturday showed why the Huskie defense is secondary to none.

Leatherneck quarterback Paul Singer, who entered the game with 19 touchdown tosses and nine interceptions, was victimized by the Huskie defense three times. NIU linebacker Tony Savegnago picked off a Singer pass early in the third quarter to go with Townsel’s fourth and fifth interceptions of the year. NIU’s total for 1987 climbed to 21, tying them with Michigan State for the NCAA lead.

Townsel’s late third quarter theft—he also swiped one on WIU’s first possession of the game—was the telling blow for the Leathernecks, who trailed 20-14 at the time. The Huskies won 29-14.

“Coach Pettibone always stresses the big play,” Townsel said of his interception off Singer in the WIU end zone. “He’s the kind of quarterback who sits back there and looks at his receivers. We looked eye-to-eye and I thought I would scare him away from it once I looked in his eyes, but he just threw it anyway.”

Leatherneck coach Bruce Craddock put the blame for the three interceptions on Singer.

“He hurt us today,” Craddock said. “Maybe they were the proper choice and a great defensive play. Or on the other hand, maybe they were forced by him trying to make something happen.”

Singer’s day was not a total bust. He completed 26 of 47 for 274 yards against the Huskies while breaking WIU school records for touchdowns (21) and yards passing (2,163) in a season. He also became the Leatherneck’s career passing yardage leader during Saturday’s contest.

In addition to the interceptions, NIU defenders deflected several of Singer’s 47 passes. Linebacker Mike Higgins got his hands on two tosses but failed to come down with either one.

“I don’t make excuses but I have four sprained fingers on this (left) hand. So I had to go after the ball with one hand,” said Higgins, who wore a black padded mitt.

Despite the success of the Huskie defense, which held the potent WIU passing attack to two touchdowns, Leatherneck flanker Steve Williams gave only reluctant praise.

“We knew that they were good, but we knew they couldn’t stop us,” said Williams, who caught his team-leading seventh touchdown pass with 24 seconds left before halftime. “They had good key players, that’s all I can say.”

One of those key players was red-shirt freshman Cary Caliendo who pressured Singer on Townsel’s first interception. On WIU’s second possession Caliendo ended the Leatherneck’s 58-yard drive when he jumped on a loose ball at the NIU 24-yard line. The 6-foot-3 defensive end also contributed three tackles for losses, including two sacks on Singer, as he dominated WIU’s John Wisnosky.

“Their offensive guard was getting frustrated,” Caliendo said of Wisnosky, who outweighed the 237-pound Huskie by about 50 pounds. “He must have been a good sport. Either that or he was dead because he really didn’t say too much.”

NIU coach Jerry Pettibone praised Caliendo’s effort, crediting him for keeping the pressure on Singer.

“Cary’s the type of guy who every time he plays gets better and better,” Pettibone said. “He’s got a chance to be an excellent player.”