Anxious fans who watched NIU running back A.J. Harris leave Saturday’s Iowa State game in the fourth quarter can breathe a sigh of relief.

“He’s fine,” NIU coach Joe Novak said of the Huskies leading running back. “[His shoulder] just popped out. He has a full range of motion now.”

Harris, who leads the MAC with 327 rushing yards, walked off the field favoring his shoulder after remaining on the ground for a couple minutes after a play late in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-1 junior did not return to the game, after leading NIU in rushing with a touchdown and 94 yards on 29 carries.

Novak also said that running back Adrian Davis practiced with the team Sunday night, and is likely to see playing time Friday against Bowling Green.

Sophomore defensive tackle Eric Pittman injured his knee early Saturday and is expected to be out five to six weeks, Novak said.

Haldi checkup

Quarterback Josh Haldi went to the doctor again Monday to have the stress fracture in his right foot evaluated.

The senior captain played only the first three plays in the season-opening loss to Maryland, but was without his air cast on the sidelines Saturday against Iowa State, and walked up and down the sidelines cheering on the team.

Whenever Haldi feels he’s ready to play, he’ll be put back in the starting position, Novak said.

The status of Haldi’s updated condition will be withheld until Friday’s game against Bowling Green, Novak said.

Wolfe continues streak

Running back Garrett Wolfe ran for a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter Saturday, remaining the only Huskie to run or catch for a touchdown in each of the three games this season.

Wolfe leads the team with three total touchdowns – two receiving and one rushing. He is tied for the team lead with wide receiver Dan Sheldon for receiving touchdowns and A.J. Harris for rushing touchdowns.

“He’s been very productive,” Novak said. “He hasn’t played a ton of snaps, but when he has, he’s been a play maker. We’re going to have to put him in more because of that.”

Is the MAC really that bad?

College Football Wire released its first ever complete ranking of all 117 Division I-A football teams Monday.

The rankings, which use a formula that gives points for “wins against quality opponents,” has NIU ranked No. 91 in the nation. All MAC teams are in the bottom 30th, with the exception of Bowling Green at No. 59.

Illinois, who beat Western Michigan for its first Division I-A win since 2002, is ranked No. 64.

Sheldon passes record

Sheldon received the MAC West special teams player of the week after returning five punts for 90 yards. Sheldon also caught six passes for 107 receiving yards against Iowa State, including a 47-yard touchdown.

Sheldon broke the NIU career punt return yardage record formerly held by P.J. Fleck (1999-2003), who had 716. After Saturday’s performance, Sheldon’s career total was 760 yards, which ranks sixth all-time in MAC history.

Blythe is bypassed

Iowa State wide receiver Todd Blythe’s three touchdowns and 104 receiving yards Saturday against NIU were not enough to land him a Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award.

Kansas State running back Darren Sproles rushed for a school-record 292 yards – his second game with 200 rushing yards this season – against Louisiana Lafayette. Sproles rushing effort ranked seventh-best in Big 12 history.