(AP file photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — The early returns on Gary Nova have been positive. The next hurdle is when head coach Kyle Flood will name him the team's starter.

Flood was complimentary of Nova — owner of 28 career starts — after Sunday's training camp practice.

“I’ve seen him command the offensive part of the field, which I think is very important for a quarterback to do," said Flood, citing Nova's spring of experience under new play caller Ralph Friedgen. "I think he’s done it at a higher level than he’s done in the past."

Nova said the first three practices have featured heavy installation of Friedgen's offense.

“It’s going real well," he said. "I think the offense is doing well, the tempo is good and a lot of stuff is in right now. Obviously some mistakes, but we just have to fix it and I think we’re doing a good job.”

Nova hasn't checked his camp statistics yet, but he planned on doing so Monday. It is the fourth of a five-to-seven-day window Flood gave himself to anoint a starter.