Today’s word is “tough.”

But no matter how much people talk about Palko, the one word that will always comes up is “tough.”

“He’s a tough kid,” said UC safety Haruki Nakamura. “Pitt’s had a tradition of good quarterbacks, he fills the role very good. He has the ability to scramble and throw on the run. His toughness gives that positive vibe as a leader. When you have tough leaders like him, players are going to follow and try to follow in his shoes.”

Nakamura said last season Adam Roberts and Trevor Anderson got in their shots at Palko during the Panthers’ 38-20 victory at Heinz Field.

“Every time he gets hit, he gets right back up,” Nakamura said.k 30 sacks las
Palko didn’t have his best game against the Bearcats, going just 14 of 32 for 175 yards and a touchdown, but it was good enough to get the job done.

“Tyler Palko is a very exciting player,” said UC coach Mark Dantonio. “He plays with great enthusiasm and great toughness. He’s a left-handed quarterback. He reminds me of (former Ohio State quarterback) Steve Bellisari in his toughness and effort.”

There’s the magic word yet again.

Palko, though, doesn’t see too much special about his so-called toughness.

“That’s just how it is when you’re from Pittsburgh – not everyone from Pittsburgh’s tough, but it is part of the city’s identity,” Palko said. “My family was old school where both mom and dad worked. My dad had to work two jobs. That’s just how it went. I was raised to appreciate what I have. Being tough and respectful is just how I was raised.”

Palko took 30 sacks last season. Didn’t miss a game, only a handful of snaps not taken. Tough is a good descriptor.
New Jersey high school football feels like puffing its chest out a bit by pointing to players now at the college level including Oderick Turner.

Bergen County high school football has developed into a hotbed for college recruiters.

You need only to look at what happened during the first week of the college season to understand the impact Bergen players are having.

…

Former Teaneck teammates Oderick Turner and Lance Ball also enjoyed success. Turner, in his first game at Pittsburgh after being redshirted as a freshman, caught two passes for 92 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown, in Pittsburgh’s rout of Virginia.

“Oderick should have had two TDs because I missed him on one,” said Panthers quarterback Tyler Palko.

Reflected glory.