Rested Wildcats, QB Persa up next for Illini

Persa hasn't played since rupturing his right Achilles in the closing moments of a victory over Iowa on Nov. 13. When he didn't play in the season opener, the next probable date of return was the Big Ten opener. Persa sat on the sideline with his foot elevated during the Illini's 48-27 victory over Northwestern in Wrigley Field last November.

"I'm ready to go," Persa told reporters Thursday. "I don't consider myself injured anymore."

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