(AP photo)

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

PISCATAWAY — Kyle Flood isn't sure if Gary Nova's his old self yet, but he said the returns are far more positive than when he was a game-time decision following what was listed as a lower-body injury.

Nova is probable for Saturday's game against Indiana after a questionable ruling last week, when he had one scheduled practice off.

"I thought looking at him last night when we came back and practiced again that he was further along," Flood said Monday. "Is he 100 percent? I don't know that he is, but I think he was further along than last week and close to being 100 percent, which is important to us."

Nova suffered a right knee injury Oct. 25 at Nebraska. He lasted two-plus quarters the next week against Wisconsin, the third time in his career he was removed because of injury.

Nova said he wasn't likely that he wouldn't play that week.

"The whole week they were saying, 'We don't know if you're going to be able to play,'" Nova said. "I said, 'Look, if it's not broken or anything, I'm going to play. Just do what we can. I'll suck it up.'"