Northwestern Launches 'PersaStrong' Heisman Campaign
By Adam Hoge-
(CBS) Northwestern launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for Dan Persa Monday in an effort to get its senior quarterback more attention nationally.
The highlight of the campaign is a billboard strategically placed in Bristol, Conn. Other billboards have been prominently placed across the Chicagoland area and a Web site devoted solely to Persa's Heisman campaign was launched.
Persa was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches last season despite suffering a season-ending torn Achilles against Iowa, which forced him to miss the last two regular season games and the TicketCity Bowl. The quarterback accounted for 24 total touchdowns and 3,100 yards of total offense in just 10 games last season. He is still rehabbing the injured Achilles but is expected to be fully healed by the time Northwestern opens its season at Boston College Sept. 3.
"I just want to get out there and have fun again," Persa said last week at Big Ten Media Days. "It feels like forever since I have been out there with the guys with pads and my helmet on."
Persa is one of the better scrambling quarterbacks in the country as he ran for 591 yards (sacks count against quarterbacks' rushing totals) and nine touchdowns last season, but this year, he has plans to run less and throw more.
"(Running) was always my safety net, but this year I want to rely more on my arm," Persa said.
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