Six years and many hard times have passed for NIU football coach Joe Novak in DeKalb, but this year marks the team’s pinnacle since his arrival.

Five years ago, Novak anxiously awaited the start of his second season as NIU’s head football coach.

He knew that the program had sunk to one of the lowest points in school history the year before, with only one win in 11 tries.

What he didn’t know was that things were about to get worse.

The Huskies’ 1997 campaign marked the first winless season in school history since 1955 when NIU fell to such programs as Division III Wheaton College, Bradley, which no longer has a football program, and Division II Nebraska-Omaha.

Now, five years and one MAC West Division Co-Championship later, the Huskies are ready to make another run at the MAC Championship.

“I think every football team right now is anxious to play,” Novak said. “These kids go all winter, they go all summer and they have two-a-days, they’re just ready to play.”

The fate of this year’s team could rest in the hands of an unproven quarterback and an experienced and confident defense.

Arguably, the biggest loss coming into this season will be quarterback Chris Finlen. The three-year captain left NIU with the most career pass attempts ever, and back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1989-90.

Set to fill the void left by Finlen is sophomore Josh Haldi. Haldi played only 20 snaps as the backup last season, but has been in the system for two years.

Haldi beat out Ryan Gilbert for the starting job in the Huskies’ opening game against Wake Forest on Thursday. However, Gilbert still could see action, even as soon as the first quarter, Novak said.

“I told Josh it’s not a one-series or a one-play deal,” Novak said. “If he makes a mistake or doesn’t do something right he’s not going to get yanked, but realistically we have to move the football.”

Gilbert, a junior transfer from El Camino Junior College, came to the program last January.

“I told Ryan he’s got to be ready … he’s one snap away,” Novak said.

Lined up behind Haldi in the backfield will be the combination of Thomas Hammock and Michael Turner.

Hammock got the majority of carries last season, but both backs could be lined up in the backfield at the same time.

Hammock ran for 1,096 yards last season and is trying to become the first NIU player to make the First Team All-MAC in three seasons.

Turner had a freshman season that saw him tally 983 yards before he was limited to 395 yards on 95 carries last season.

The departure of seventh-round Tennessee Titans draft pick Darrell Hill leaves an opening at the wide receiver spot.

Keith Perry and Turner Pugh will try to step in for the departed Hill. Senior P.J. Fleck will anchor the wide receiver crop.

“P.J. has always been a great go-to guy,” Novak said. “P.J. doesn’t have the speed of Darrell Hill and everybody knows that. But he had a couple touchdowns, he broke some plays, and he’s always been a guy that we’re confident in. On third down, I’d like to see the ball go into him because he’ll catch it. He’ll be a real go-to guy.”

Fleck led last year’s squad in receptions with 59 and was second on the team with five touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskies will rely on an experienced secondary and the nation’s No. 3 and No. 4 Division 1-A returning solo tacklers, Larry Williams and Nick Duffy, at the linebacker spot.

Last season, Novak’s secondary showed great potential but was hurt by some mid-season injuries. Now, the young and inexperienced squad from last year returns in full force led by senior Vince Thompson.

Thompson currently is tied for fourth in active Division 1-A interceptions (10) and took two interceptions back for touchdowns last season.

Along with Thompson, Lionel Hickenbottom, Randee Drew, and Akil Grant make up the secondary, which was ranked ninth in the country by Athlon Sports.

“We’re really excited about this upcoming season,” linebacker Larry Williams said. “Simply because we’ve been working so hard in the off-season. Guys down here in camp have just been hitting each other all day. We’re finally excited to hit somebody else.”

Williams and fellow linebacker Nick Duffy return to the team , trailing only Maryland’s E.J. Henderson and Missouri’s Sean Doyle as the leading returning solo tacklers in Division 1-A.

“I think this is the most solid defense we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Williams said. “We have confidence in each other. Each position can go out there and make plays. Guys can go out there and make up for other people making a mistake.”

Anchoring the front of the Huskie defense will be senior Anthony Falbo. The nose tackle will play alongside a host of others competing for time, including defensive tri-captain Eric Didesch, as well as defensive ends Travis Moore and Jason Frank.