Background: The 2002 Pennsylvania high school player of the year out of West Allegheny High in suburban Imperial was going to be the greatest quarterback to come out of Pittsburgh since Dan Marino. The nation’s leading QB started his college career that way, throwing for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore two years ago in leading the Panthers to the Fiesta Bowl. But plagued by a young line and bad receivers last season, he opened with two picks for touchdowns in an upset loss at Ohio and ended with a 45-13 loss at West Virginia. Stat line: He leads the nation in pass efficiency this season at 187.25, throwing for 1,140 yards on 66 percent passing with 12 TDs and three interceptions.
What’s up: The four returning starters on the line have helped drop his sack total from three per game to three after four games. “I haven’t changed,” Palko said. “I still have that gunslinger mentality.” Another characteristic hasn’t changed: He has football in perspective. Palko is known for befriending a local high school sports manager with Down syndrome at his alma mater. Chris McGough, 17, and Palko have been inseparable since a very young McGough saw Palko shooting baskets with friends and the future Panther let him play. McGough inspired Palko to start a charity golf outing. The goal is to build a group home.
What’s next: Pitt (3-1) hosts Toledo (2-2) at 10 a.m. MDT Saturday.
Henderson’s take: Palko didn’t come across as having a soft side when I saw him beat Notre Dame two years ago with five TD passes, or last season when he got in West Virginia safety Eric Wicks’ face after a low hit, then threw a TD pass on the next play. The confidence he has given McGough has lifted him from a kid who grabbed the tee after kickoffs to manager for the varsity football and basketball teams. “I’ve learned a lot from him as well,” Palko said. “The way he appreciates the simplest things, the way he treats people and loves to laugh and loves life. It helps bring everything into perspective.”
