09-02-2004, 12:45 PM
Haldi status uncertain for Maryland opener
By Bobby Narang - Chronicle Sports Staff
Updated Thursday, September 2, 2004 11:12 AM CDT
DeKALB - Josh Haldi hasn't missed a start since taking over the quarterback position in the 2002 opener, but his status for Saturday's opener against the University of Maryland might be a game time decision.
Haldi's status became cloudy when a summer injury started intensifying last week. Haldi sat out several practices because of a minor stress fracture in his right foot before finally taking some reps on Wednesday.
"I feel good," Haldi said following Wednesday's practice. "I got some good news today and threw a little bit today to test it out and I'll come back on Thursday and continue to see how it goes. I was really encouraged today. It felt real well and continued to get better. I should be ready to go on Saturday."
NIU coach Joe Novak doesn't sound so optimistic.
"He said it was a little sore, but it doesn't feel so bad," Novak said. "We still have three more days. We'll boot him up again and be precautionary. I think he will go, but for how long I don't know."
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder hurt his foot during summer workouts, as four toenails fell off during camp. He'll continue to wear a protective boot and try to keep pressure off it as much as possible. The season-opener carries a lot of weight on the national level, but Novak won't be afraid to put Haldi on the sidelines in favor of conference success.
Haldi didn't fully participate in Wednesday's practice to rest his foot. Back-up sophomore Phil Horvath got more reps in practice this week to prepare for the possibility of receiving his first career game snaps.
"It's a long season and I don't want to do something at Maryland that will cost him playing time down the road," Novak said. "He needs to be smart. We need to be smart. I don't know if he'll play two snaps or 102 snaps. I just don't know. We'll have to play that by ear."
By Bobby Narang - Chronicle Sports Staff
Updated Thursday, September 2, 2004 11:12 AM CDT
DeKALB - Josh Haldi hasn't missed a start since taking over the quarterback position in the 2002 opener, but his status for Saturday's opener against the University of Maryland might be a game time decision.
Haldi's status became cloudy when a summer injury started intensifying last week. Haldi sat out several practices because of a minor stress fracture in his right foot before finally taking some reps on Wednesday.
"I feel good," Haldi said following Wednesday's practice. "I got some good news today and threw a little bit today to test it out and I'll come back on Thursday and continue to see how it goes. I was really encouraged today. It felt real well and continued to get better. I should be ready to go on Saturday."
NIU coach Joe Novak doesn't sound so optimistic.
"He said it was a little sore, but it doesn't feel so bad," Novak said. "We still have three more days. We'll boot him up again and be precautionary. I think he will go, but for how long I don't know."
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder hurt his foot during summer workouts, as four toenails fell off during camp. He'll continue to wear a protective boot and try to keep pressure off it as much as possible. The season-opener carries a lot of weight on the national level, but Novak won't be afraid to put Haldi on the sidelines in favor of conference success.
Haldi didn't fully participate in Wednesday's practice to rest his foot. Back-up sophomore Phil Horvath got more reps in practice this week to prepare for the possibility of receiving his first career game snaps.
"It's a long season and I don't want to do something at Maryland that will cost him playing time down the road," Novak said. "He needs to be smart. We need to be smart. I don't know if he'll play two snaps or 102 snaps. I just don't know. We'll have to play that by ear."