Sure sounds like Kafka's a go

Mike Kafka's left hamstring received a ton of attention Monday. And it should, it's carried Northwestern's offense all season.

The numbers show that Kafka and his hamstring are a pretty big deal for Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten) as it prepares for No. 8 Iowa (9-0, 5-0).

The senior quarterback is Northwestern's offense. That's backed up by numbers.

Kafka is responsible for 69.6 percent of NU's yardage, accounting for 2,443 of 3,415 yards. He played less than half the game in the Wildcats' 34-13 loss to Penn State on Saturday and still tied his backup, Dan Persa, for the NU lead in rushing last week with 42 yards.

He's Northwestern's leading rusher with 248 yards and six touchdowns. Even though he played less than a half Saturday, he remains the Big Ten's leader in total offense and passing yardage.

He grabbed his left leg after a run in the second quarter last week and didn't return.

Monday, NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said he expects Kafka, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder, to be ready for the Hawkeyes.

"We expect him to go through some things in practice and hopefully a little bit more on Wednesday, but at this point we expect Mike to play," Fitzgerald said.

Kafka, who leads the Big Ten in completions (23.7 a game) and completion percentage (66.8), stayed on message Monday.

"My mindset's going in that I'm going in and playing," Kafka said. "It feels pretty good. (Tuesday) I'll run around a little bit on it and see how it feels and kind of take it day-by-day. And Wednesday do a little bit more where on Saturday it feels pretty good."

On Monday's depth chart, Kafka was listed as either/or at quarterback with Persa, a redshirt freshman who played the final two-and-a-half quarters against PSU. The "or" usually has the better chance of starting, which was Persa. But Fitzgerald and Kafka blew right through that Monday.

"What happened was a kind of tweaked my hamstring a little bit," said Kafka, who has completed 213 of 319 for 2,195 yards, 9 touchdowns and seven interceptions. "I think as far as going back in, I didn't think I could push off it.

"I was just honest with coach Fitz and told him that I really just couldn't drop back and roll around and scramble like I really wanted to, so the best bet was putting Dan in. I think he did a great job."

Persa completed 14 of 23 for 115 yards. He also had 42 rushing yards.

Still, with Kafka, the Wildcats led 10-3. Without, Penn State ran away, outscoring the 'Cats 24-0 in the second half.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno was asked about halftime adjustments.

"The adjustment we made is their quarterback got hurt," Paterno said.

"The depth chart is listed as 'or' and both guys are getting prepared to play," Fitzgerald said. "Mike and I just met again after going over some things and he's feeling pretty good considering where he was at on Saturday. That's encouraging. It's good news."

This season, Persa is 15 of 25 for 187 yards with a TD and an interception. He's also rushed 25 times for 104 yards.