Boston College’s Anthony Palano Earns National Defensive Player of the Week Honor

The Eagles linebacker delivered two fourth-quarter interceptions to preserve a 28–21 victory over Rutgers in the Red Bandanna Game.

Boston College linebacker Anthony Palano turned the fourth quarter of the Red Bandanna Game into his national coming-out party.

Palano recorded two late interceptions, nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and his first career sack as Boston College defeated Rutgers 28–21 at Alumni Stadium. His game-changing performance earned him the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week award from the Football Writers Association of America.

Palano also received ACC Linebacker of the Week honors for the first two-interception performance of his college career.

The junior became the first Boston College player to win the FWAA’s weekly Nagurski honor.

Palano Closed the Door Twice

Boston College built a 20–7 halftime advantage before turnovers and explosive plays allowed Rutgers to climb back into the game.

With the Eagles protecting a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Palano intercepted Rutgers quarterback AJ Surace on fourth-and-3 at the Boston College 21-yard line. The takeaway stopped a scoring threat and allowed the Eagles to regain control.

Boston College capitalized when quarterback Mason McKenzie escaped pressure and found Dawson Pough for a 78-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion extended the lead to 28–14.

Rutgers responded almost immediately with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Surace to KJ Duff, cutting the deficit to seven.

After another Boston College turnover gave Rutgers a final chance to tie the game, Palano struck again. He intercepted Surace with less than two minutes remaining, allowing the Eagles to run out the clock and secure their first victory of the season.

Both interceptions were the first of Palano’s college career. He became the first Boston College player since 2023 to record two picks in one game.

Boston College’s Defense Delivered

Palano’s performance led a Boston College defense that forced six failed Rutgers possessions through four interceptions and two turnovers on downs.

Charlie Comella and Carter Davis recorded the Eagles’ other two interceptions. It was Boston College’s first four-interception game since its November 2023 matchup with Syracuse.

The Eagles needed every takeaway in a game that tightened considerably during the second half.

Boston College finished with a 402–384 advantage in total offense, according to the school’s official game recap. McKenzie completed 18 of 29 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown while adding 94 rushing yards and another score.

Pough caught four passes for 106 yards, highlighted by the 78-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that gave Boston College some temporary breathing room.

A Meaningful Night at Alumni Stadium

The victory came during Boston College’s 13th annual Red Bandanna Game, held on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The game honors Welles Crowther, a 1999 Boston College graduate and former lacrosse player who worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Wearing a red bandanna as a protective mask, Crowther helped guide people to safety before he died in the building’s collapse.

For Boston College, the annual tribute is about courage, selflessness, and responding when others need help. Palano’s two late interceptions provided the defining football moments on an emotional night before more than 40,000 fans.

Transfer: Making an Immediate Impact

Palano joined Boston College after previously playing at Washington State and South Dakota State.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker appeared in 18 games before arriving at Boston College. He made seven starts at Washington State, compiling 65 tackles, four quarterback pressures, and two pass breakups.

Boston College named him a team captain before the 2026 season, and he immediately established himself as a defensive leader. Palano recorded a team-high 13 tackles in his Eagles debut against Cincinnati on September 5.

One week later, he delivered the biggest performance of his career.

His fourth-quarter interceptions against Rutgers did more than protect a lead. They placed Palano on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and established him as a defender to follow throughout the season.

Palano Joins Boston College’s Nagurski History

The FWAA has selected a national defensive player of the week during every regular season since 2001. Players who receive the weekly honor are added to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list if they were not already included.

The award is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football.

Boston College has one previous Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner: linebacker Luke Kuechly, who won the award in 2011 after being named a finalist in 2010.

The FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2026 award on November 19. The winner will be honored at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte on December 7 and announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on December 11.

For Palano, the road to that award began with two interceptions that ensured Boston College’s most meaningful home game ended with a victory.