2004

As a redshirt-sophomore in 2004, Palko threw for 3,067 yards and 24 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions, earning him second-team All-Big East honors. He was also named Pitt's MVP and offensive captain as a first-year starter. Palko's 24 touchdowns led the Big East and were the third-highest single-season total in Pitt history, and his total passing yardage was the most ever for a sophomore and third-best overall in school history as well. Palko also had four 300-yard passing games and one 400-yard passing game during this season alone. In a game against the South Florida, Palko threw for a career-high 411 yards, the fifth-highest in school history, and matched a personal best of five touchdowns with no interceptions. Palko threw another five touchdown passes and totaled 334 yards in the air with no interceptions against Notre Dame, becoming the first quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in a single game as a visiting team player against the Fighting Irish. Late in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame, the Panthers went on two late scoring drives: one for a touchdown and the second for a game-winning field goal with one second left to play. Palko also led three consecutive scoring drives against Temple to overcome a 10-point fourth quarter deficit. They also surprised the West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl after being down 13–9 in the fourth quarter. Palko led a drive that consisted of four third-down conversions, ending with his two-yard touchdown run. Pittsburgh earned a bid to play in the Fiesta Bowl against the Utah Utes, where Palko was sacked nine times in a 35–7 loss.

After replacing Walt Harris as head coach in the spring of 2005, Dave Wannstedt chose Palko over Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback during Pitt's spring training. Flacco was left to run Pitt's second team and eventually transferred to Division I-AA University of Delaware. Flacco became the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, a year after Palko had been signed and subsequently waived by the Saints.^[4]

2005

As a junior in 2005, Palko earned second-team Big East honors for a second consecutive season and was also named Pitt's captain for the second year in a row. Palko's passing statistics were not as outstanding as the previous year's, with 2,392 yards and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions. However, his six rushing touchdowns were a career-high and a team high for the season, and Palko was Pitt's third leading scorer with 36 points. Palko in week 2 against Ohio University threw two pick six TDs to Dion Byrum which ended up costing Pitt the game 16–10 to the Ohio University Bobcats. Palko's 371 yards and four passing touchdowns against Rutgers were season highs in 2005, while his 35 completions out of 58 attempts were both career highs. Against West Virginia, he threw for 308 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a loss. Palko also threw for 198 yards and a touchdown against a strong opponent in the Louisville. In the season-opener against Notre Dame, Palko threw for 220 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing for a four-yard score as well.^{[citation needed]}

2006

In his final season as a Panther in 2006, Palko threw for 2,871 yards^[5] (less than his 2004^[6] and 2005^[7] totals), but set a new career high with 25 touchdowns; he only rushed for 77 yards and two scores on the season. Palko and the Panthers opened the season against the Virginia with 283 yards passing and three touchdowns. Palko followed it up with a 267-yard game against Cincinnati, a 277-yard performance against Michigan State, and exceeded the 300-yard mark against The Citadel with 313 yards for four scores. Later in the season against West Virginia, Palko threw for a season high 341 yards along with two touchdowns in a 45–27 loss. In the season finale against Louisville, Palko threw for 307 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off three times as well. Palko's aerial yardage and passing efficiency rating of 163.2^[8] was first in the conference, as were his completions per game. His ten 300-yard passing games during the season tied a Big East record set by Rutgers' Ryan Hart. He also ranked 4th in the NCAA in passing efficiency in 2006 with 163.2 (the leader was Colt Brennan with 186).^[9] Palko, along with linebacker H. B. Blades, were invited to attend the Senior Bowl at season's end. ^{[citation needed]}

Palko ended his college career tied for second in school history with Alex Van Pelt in career touchdown passes (66) and was second in Pitt history in career passing yardage, trailing Dan Marino by 254 yards. Palko's career totals of 8,343 passing yards with 66 touchdown passes rank him as one of the top three passers in Panther football history.

Palko graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Communications and Rhetoric.^[2][10]

Statistics

Notes: Uses NCAA (rather than NFL) passer rating model. The NCAA indicates he played one game (bringing his total Pittsburgh career games played to 44) in 2003, but was redshirted that year without any record of passes or rushes. His official Panther biography says he did not play at all in 2003.^[11]

New Orleans Saints

Palko went undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft before signing with the New Orleans Saints on April 28, 2007. After the Saints released Palko during their final preseason cuts, he was back signed to the Saints' practice squad. He was then elevated to the 53-man roster for the team's first regular season game, where he was the team's third-string quarterback. After the game, he was released and re-signed to the team's practice squad. Palko was also promoted to the 53-man roster for the team's second contest, and was once again waived after the game. On October 9, 2007, Palko was signed back onto the Saints' practice squad. On December 30, 2007, Palko was signed onto the active roster for the final game of the season, but was declared inactive for the game.^[12]

Palko was waived for good by the Saints during final cuts on August 30, 2008.

Arizona Cardinals

After spending the 2008 NFL season out of football, Palko was signed to a future contract by the Arizona Cardinals on December 30, 2008. He was waived on September 4, 2009.

California Redwoods

On September 20, 2009, Palko was signed by the California Redwoods of the United Football League. He was cut during the preseason.^[13]

Montreal Alouettes

In October 2009, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and was placed on their practice roster. He was signed to the active roster on November 2, only to be released on November 25, allowing him to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Palko was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad on November 25, 2009, after quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch were injured. He was promoted to the active roster on November 28 when both quarterbacks were declared inactive for the team's November 29 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Palko was named the back-up quarterback behind Dennis Dixon. He was released by the Steelers on December 9, 2009.

Kansas City Chiefs