The Wildcats practiced on Thursday and are moving on from their 21-14 loss at Army on Saturday. Having a bye week is helping NU to prep more for the Illinois game in Champaign next week -- the Big Ten opener and Dan Persa's return from his Achilles injury.

            NU's performance on third down still rankles coach Pat Fitzgerald, which was most likely the team's downfall at Army.

            "You play right into their trap," Fitzgerald said. "They were 40-something percent on third downs and we were [25 percent]. You're not going to beat a triple option team doing that.

            * NU field hockey player Chelsea Armstrong broke a 23-year old school record for career points with 145. Armstrong, who has another year left in Evanston, broke the record at an ironic time. Sannie van Dijck, the previous record holder who was at NU from 1985-88, died of cancer a year ago.

            To recognize van Dijck's passing, field hockey coach Tracey Fuchs started a team award in her honor.

            * Season tickets for the men's basketball team are now on sale. For more information go to www.nusports.com or call 888-GO-PURPLE.