Finally, it appears Dan Persa is coming back.
Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald said today that he would be “shocked if [Persa] didn’t play” against Illinois on Oct. 1, according to WildcatReport.com. Persa has not played in a game since he ruptured his Achilles on Nov. 13, 2010 against Iowa.
Persa seemed to confirm that he would be making his return against the Illini next Saturday, following Northwestern’s bye this Saturday. “I don’t consider myself injured anymore,” he said.
The quarterback was cleared to play against Army, but the coaches decided to start Kain Colter instead. Colter, who struggled at times against the Black Knights, was replaced in the fourth quarter by Trevor Siemian.
Fitzgerald refused to make an official commitment, however, that Persa would start for Northwestern against Illinois. He joked that the media would find out whether Persa was actually starting at 10:58 a.m. on Oct. 1, only two minutes prior to the Wildcats’ kickoff against the Illini.
If Persa does start against Illinois, then his expected first start at Ryan Field since his injury would be a week later against Michigan.