Pitt offensive lineman Mike McGlynn got the rock-star treatment -- bright lights, handshakes, smiles and special attention -- from a couple of visiting television news crews Monday afternoon.
"Aw, these guys have been covering me since I was just this high," McGlynn said, laughing.
Plenty of folks back in Youngstown, Ohio, want to know how McGlynn is doing, as he prepares to play against his hometown team for the first time. McGlynn was raised in nearby Austintown, Ohio.
"One of my boyhood dreams was to play for Youngstown State," McGlynn said. "It's going to be funny, seeing that 'Y' on the helmet coming at me from across the field.
"YSU's a great school, with great tradition. It's going to be an honor, playing against them."
McGlynn does not have any former high school teammates playing for Youngstown. But he is familiar with many of the Penguins' players, such as quarterback Tom Zetts, from going against them in youth leagues and high school games.
McGlynn said about 40 people already have called, asking him for tickets to Saturday's game at Heinz Field. To gather the extra passes, McGlynn is shaking down the freshmen and teammates from Florida whose parents aren't coming.
"It'll all work out," McGlynn said. "I'll have to repay them by giving up my South Florida tickets next year and stuff like that."
