One in 1,000 are the odds that NIU coach Joe Novak estimates for quarterback Josh Haldi to play Saturday against Iowa State.

But whenever Haldi gives him the OK, Novak will not hesitate to put him in – immediately.

“Here’s a youngster who is in his fifth year after he redshirted his first season,” Novak said. “When he tells me he’s ready, I’m going to put him in. When I look him in his eyes, I know it kills him [to not be able to play].”

A 6-foot-2 senior, Haldi has been on the injured list since playing the first offensive drive of the Sept. 4 game at Maryland. He pulled up lame after aggravating a stress fracture in his right foot that had bothered him since summer camp.

Trying to stay off the foot as much as possible, Haldi is icing and elevating it as he goes through daily rehabilitation.

“I’m definitely out this week, and then we’ll take it from there,” said Haldi, who needs 2,152 yards to break the NIU passing record. “If I can’t play, it’s not for lack of trying. It’s just frustrating because obviously it’s not healing as quick as I’d like it to. It just takes time, and that’s just a luxury I don’t have right now.”