Gannon University Athletics

2017: Expected to compete for playing time at quarterback as a redshirt senior … transferred from NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2015-16 academic year.

2016: Played in 10 games … recorded a carry and passing attempt during every contest he appeared in … connected on 4-of-6 passes for 88 yards during a 30-27 overtime victory against Bloomsburg … posted season-highs in carries (8) and rushing yards (54) at California (Pa.) … reached double digits in rushing yards seven times, including six consecutive games from October 1-November 5 … threw for at least 50 yards in a game three times … went 3-of-5 with his first passing touchdown in a Gannon uniform during a 34-12 win against Seton Hill.

2015 (At Saginaw Valley State): Saw action in seven games … threw for 107 yards in limited time.

2014 (At Saginaw Valley State): Participated in nine games as a redshirt freshman … completed  55.4 percent (67-121) of his passes … threw for 736 yards and four touchdowns … posted season-highs in completions (19), yards (214) and touchdowns (2) against the league’s top-ranked defense from Ohio Dominican … led Saginaw Valley State to a 16-14 victory against Northwood, being named Meijer Player of the Game after producing 262 yards of total offense … completed 76.5 percent (13-17) of his passes for 182 yards against the Timberwolves … added 80 yards and one touchdown on the ground against Northwood … rushed for 110 yards on 10 carries during his first career start against Lake Erie.

2013 (At Saginaw Valley State): Redshirted.

High School: Played for head coach and father Joe Palka at Saline (Mich.) High School … began his high school career at Whitmer (Ohio) High School where he earned All-Two Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) and all-district honors as a junior … named team offensive MVP after his junior campaign … led Whitmer to a 13-1 record, concluding the season with a loss to eventual state champion St. Ignatius in the state semifinals … transferred to Saline for his senior year to play under his father … named team offensive MVP as a senior … served as a team captain … earned all-conference accolades … selected to the Ann Arbor Dream Team … named to the AP All-State team … invited to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) All-Star Game … received Washtenaw Player of the Year, Ann Arbor Offensive Player of the Year and Regional Player of the Year honors … led Saline to a 10-2 record … helped Saline win league and district championships, before falling in the region title game to eventual state champion Cass Tech … passed for 3,198 yards and 32 touchdowns during his high school career … added 1,116 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground … led his high school teams to a 23-3 record … earned nine letters as a three-sport athlete … competed in football, hockey and track.

Personal: Secondary Education major … has one sister and one brother … is the son of Kaleen and Joe … named a 2015-16 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athlete after enrolling at Gannon for the spring semester. 

Career Highs (at Gannon)
Rushes: 8 at California (Pa.) (10/22/16); at Slippery Rock (9/24/16)
Rushing Yards: 54 at California (Pa.) (10/22/16)
Pass Completions: 5 at Edinboro (10/8/16)
Pass Attempts: 18 at Slippery Rock (9/24/16)
Passing Yards: 88 vs. Bloomsburg (9/17/16)
Passing TDs: 1 vs. Seton Hill (10/15/16)
All-Purpose Yards: 54 at California (Pa.) (10/22/16)
Total Offense: 89 vs. Bloomsburg (9/17/16)