Coming into the 2006 season, the SIU defense was a major source of concern as to how the team would fare.

But with the Salukis one game away from a possible fourth consecutive playoff appearance and a chance to finish the season with an 8-3 record, speculation over the defense could be put to rest.

The defense’s maturity was seen Saturday when the Salukis (7-3, 4-3 Gateway) limited the top-rated University of Northern Iowa’s offense to just 23 points in a 47-23 SIU win.

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SIU’s defense recorded eight tackles for a loss, accumulating 25 lost yards for the Panthers and sacked UNI quarterback Eric Sanders three times for 17 yards.

Even more impressive, however, was the Salukis’ three interceptions off Sanders – a 2006 Payton Award nominee, which honors the top offensive player in Division I-AA football.

SIU seemed to have constant pressure on Sanders and forced him to scramble out of the pocket and look for desperate passes.

“They got some pressure on us, and we kind of expected that,” Sanders said. “They guessed right a couple times, which is a credit to them.”

SIU head coach Jerry Kill said his team’s ability to keep Sanders out of a rhythm early helped force turnovers, which contributed to the victory.

“We kept him uncomfortable,” Kill said. “I think it all starts with turnovers and our defense making plays. There were good momentum shifts that we haven’t been able to get the last couple of weeks, and we got them (Saturday) because our kids were more aggressive.”

A big part of the Salukis’ success against Northern Iowa could be attributed to the emergence of outside linebacker Trevor Moe and cornerback Brandon Bruner.

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Bruner, a junior, recorded two of the three SIU interceptions against the Panthers and led all Saluki tacklers in the game with eight. Both of his interceptions came in the second half to stop potential comeback drives.

Kill said Bruner has “been playing his butt off the last two weeks.”

The six-foot cornerback was named as the Gateway Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against UNI and could be a big reason the Salukis make it into the national playoffs.

Moe, on the other hand, may have had the biggest impact play of the game against the Panthers.

After SIU scored on its first possession, Northern Iowa looked poised to tie the game on the ensuing drive after scoring a touchdown.

Moe blocked and returned the point after attempt by UNI for an 85-yard safety to give the Salukis a 9-6 lead in the first quarter.

Kill described Moe’s blocked kick as a “big momentum switch.”

Moe elaborated on his exhausting play.

“I didn’t know if I was going to make it that far, but it was huge for us,” Moe said. “We only put up two points on it for a three point advantage, but it meant that we were up by a score instead of being tied.”

The Saluki defense has come a long way since the season’s inception 10 weeks ago.

On Aug. 31 – SIU’s season opener against Lock Haven – the Saluki defense only boasted two returning starters in seniors Marlon Heaston, a safety, and Patrick Jordan, a linebacker.

Now, with one game remaining on the regular season schedule, the defensive corps looks like a veteran group.

With two starters returning and injuries hampering some upperclassmen, other players have risen to the occasion, such as Chauncey Mixon, Brandin Jordan, Moe and Bruner.

And the timing couldn’t be better.