Is Dan Persa hitting a wall?

The guy who inspired the Heisman Trophy phrase, "Persa Strong" said hitting the wall has happened a few times in training camp the past two weeks, as Persa reached a point where he didn't think he could give any more.

"It's tough to tell with this injury [a ruptured Achilles] how fast it's going to get better. And a lot of times you hit a wall, and the next day you wake up and you do something you couldn't even come close to doing yesterday. It's tough to put limitations or expectations on something like this.

"Every couple days, it was 'Alright, this isn't getting any better.' And then it got strong. It's just up and down."

NU coach Pat Fitzgerald always likes to minimize distractions, but Monday he was happily distracted at the Naval Station Great Lakes practice field. It was the second consecutive year that NU has practiced at the naval base on their way home from Kenosha. The Big Ten Network was also in attendance. After practice, the team had lunch with some sailors.

"It's an honor and priviledge for us to be here around our great Navy," Fitzgerald said. "I thought the guys handled it well. The best part is the lunch. It's a good time to spend time one-on-one with their peers. To know those men and women are defending our country, they are very grateful."