Down 24-3 at halftime in Saturday’s Bowling Green game, NIU senior cornerback Randee Drew played his usual role of the encourager.

“I told everybody, ‘Don’t worry about it; we’ve been here before,’” Drew said. “‘Just come back out there and win this half.’”

Drew’s two interceptions for 22 yards, two tackles and a deflection in the game earned him a MAC Defensive Player of the Week nomination, but the 2002 First-Team All-MAC selection said he would have preferred the win.

“It’s real frustrating,” Drew said. “Most people might not believe me, but I would have rather had no picks and have had us won that game and we’re 8-0, but everything can’t go that way. I gave 100 percent, and I’m glad I got the picks, but I’d rather get the win than the stats.”

NIU football coach Joe Novak said Drew was the only player who played well during Saturday’s 34-18 loss.

Drew said his first thought was not his achievements, but to not let the loss bring the team down.

“After the game, I tried to preach to the guys that it’s only one game,” Drew said. “That day, Bowling Green was better than us. We’ve still got a shot at the MAC title; it’s just out of our control. I think it was a wake-up call for us.”

Teammate and roommate Curtis Crossley said Drew was disappointed after the loss, but was more worried for his team.

“He was upset that we lost, but more concerned that the team not get down,” Crossley said. “He’s a big people person, always concerned with everyone else.”

Crossley, who would’ve been a junior defensive end this year, had his career cut short by recurring injuries and is a student coach.

“I definitely wish I could be out there on the field, but he encourages me and keeps me motivated,” said Crossley of Drew. “This past summer, I worked out with him because I thought I’d be able to play. Randee always wanted to do extra.”

As one of the senior captains, Drew says he always puts the team first. Novak agreed.

“Our senior captains, as a group, are probably a quiet group,” Novak said. “Sometimes I wish they were more vocal. Randee’s one of the biggest mouths of the group to be honest, so he’s one who’s not afraid to step up and have his say. I like that. I wish we had more of that.”

Drew came into training camp as a freshman year without a scholarship. He earned one within the first week because of his work ethic, Novak said.

“When somebody catches a pass on me, I always try to trace it back to something I did wrong,” Drew said. “Sometimes someone will run a great route or throw a perfect pass, and there’s nothing you can do about it, but nine times out of 10 there’s something you could’ve done about it.”

Novak’s only problem with Drew: He can’t play another year.

“I wish we had him back for a fifth year,” Novak said. “He’s really matured and made himself into a tough player.”

Drew said his goals at the start of the season were to improve on last season’s seven interceptions – he has five (13 for his career), with four regular-season games to go.

His high hopes are not only for himself, but also for his team.

“I’m not saying that we can beat everybody,” he said, “but we can go and play with anybody. I’m totally confident in that.”