Northwestern's Persa out for season

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa's game-winning touchdown pass Saturday was the last pass he'll throw this season.

Persa, a junior, suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon seconds after tossing a 20-yard scoring strike to Demetrius Fields with 1 minute, 22 seconds left in the game to beat Iowa 21-17 at Ryan Field. Persa jumped in the air to celebrate, then fell to the ground.

Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Persa will have surgery tonight.

"The year that Danny had was absolutely spectacular," Fitzgerald said. "He's a warrior. This will pass."

Persa completed 32 of 43 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa. He also rushed for 50 yards and scored the Wildcats' first touchdown on a 2-yard plunge in the first quarter.

"It's definitely a little bittersweet seeing him on the ground after the touchdown," Northwestern wide receiver Drake Dunsmore said. "He's a leader at heart, and he's not going to show any negative emotion in front of the guys."

Persa entered the game as the national leader in completion percentage at 73.4 percent.