As kickoff for Northwestern’s 2011 football season quickly approaches, we still do not know whether quarterback Dan Persa will be on the field Saturday.
Persa is officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report for the Wildcats’ opening game against Boston College, and it appears that the senior’s status will remain up in the air until the day of the game.
Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald has been noncommittal about Persa’s health recently, saying that the quarterback will play if he is ready to play. Persa has been rehabbing since he ruptured his Achilles last season against Iowa.
If Persa is unable to start on Saturday, then backup Kain Colter is slated to start in his place. Even if Persa does play, Colter will likely receive snaps to give Persa rest and provide fresh legs under center.
Several other players are listed as out on the injury report, which was released today: Brian Arnfelt (DT), Mike Bolden (DB), Jared Carpenter (S), Colin Ellis (LB), Roderick Goodlow (LB) and Tony Jones (WR). Although none were projected to start, several of these players would have likely seen substantial playing time if they were healthy.
Northwestern and Boston College kick off at 11 a.m. CST this Saturday.