Dan Persa threw three touchdown passes and Northwestern held off a late rally to post a 23-21 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. After backing up Mike Kafka a year ago, Persa wasted no time putting his stamp on the Wildcat offense, completing 20-of-22 passes for 223 yards. He threw for touchdowns in the first, third and fourth quarters, seeming to come up with a big play whenever Northwestern needed it. The Wildcats led 10-9 at the half and Persa pushed the lead to 17-9 with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Drake Dunsmore with 5:20 left in the third. Vandy pulled to within 17-15 but Persa struck again. After Vanderbilt missed a field goal, Persa went to work and capped an nine-play, 71-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Josh Rooks with 5:09 to play. Vanderbilt responded and Zac Stacy ran for a 33-yard TD with 2:53 to play, but the Commodores failed to convert the two-point conversion to tie the game and the Wildcats were able to run out the clock. Warren Norman, last year's SEC Freshman of the Year, was held in check by the Northwestern defense, finishing with 47 yards on 11 carries