From Boston College Eagles On SI · · 2m
Palano's takeover night at BC
A transfer linebacker played the game of his life hours after his best friend went to the hospital.
In brief
A transfer linebacker played the game of his life hours after his best friend went to the hospital. Anthony Palano's nine tackles and two fourth-quarter picks against Rutgers made him the first BC linebacker since Luke Kuechly to draw national defensive player of the week honors. Originally reported by Boston College…
National honors, second start
Anthony Palano earned Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week from the Football Writers Association of America, in only his second start for Boston College.
Two awards, one game
The ACC named him its linebacker of the week for the same performance. Two honors, one Friday night against Rutgers.
The stat line
Nine tackles, two for loss, one sack, and two interceptions. He showed up at every level of the field.
The pick that ended it
His second interception came with 1:51 left in regulation, sealing a 28-21 win and Boston College's first victory of the season.
He played it for Bodie
His best friend and fellow linebacker Bodie Kahoun went down injured midway through the second quarter and was hospitalized. Palano played the rest of the game without him.
Built up all along
Palano said the win was not a surprise to anyone inside the building, just proof of something the defense had been claiming since week one.
“This is something we believe that we can do and take care of since the first week.”
Leading the roster already
Two games into 2026, the Washington State transfer leads BC with 22 tackles, 10 of them solo, plus 3.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Credit to the coordinator
Palano pointed at defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who preaches making the plays you are supposed to make rather than chasing highlights.
“So I feel like just trusting my instincts and everything I've done, and with coach Roof trusting what he installed in the defense.”
What the award leads to
The FWAA has picked a weekly defensive honoree since 2001. Each one gets added to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, and Palano is on it now.
Following Kuechly's path
BC has one Nagurski Trophy winner, linebacker Luke Kuechly in 2011. The 2026 winner is announced Dec. 11 on ESPN, with the banquet in Charlotte on Dec. 7.
The essence
Anthony Palano's nine tackles and two fourth-quarter picks against Rutgers made him the first BC linebacker since Luke Kuechly to draw national defensive player of the week honors.
