GROVE CITY — Four years ago, Luke Salerno was a freshman, injured and on a Grove City College football team that went winless.

It was unfamiliar territory for the Karns City High graduate who was used to playing a lot and winning just as much.

It wasn't the story he was hoping for.

Four years later, the script has been completely rewritten.

Salerno adjusted to several position changes to become on of the most dominant linebackers in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

And the Wolvernines have also turned lean years into robust ones.

“First season we were 0-10 and we still stuck it out on focused on our vision,” Salerno said. “Brick by brick.”

Those bricks formed a formidable wall for Salerno and Grove City, which rebounded from 0-10 to go 4-6 during Salerno's sophomore season.

Last year, the Wolverines went 8-3 and won the first postseason game in school history with a victory in the James Lynah Bowl.

Grove City did one better in 2019, going 9-2 and winning the James Lynah Bowl again, 41-38 over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, to conclude its 125th season.

It was one of its best ever, matching the most wins in a season in program history.

“To have one of the best seasons as a team, if not the best season ever, is such an emotional feeling,” Salerno said. “It's not just that, but it's also knowing the guy next to you isn't playing for himself, he's playing for you. You're not playing for yourself. You're playing for the other 10 guys on the field. That's what makes it so special.”

Salerno credited those other 10 guys on the field along with him for his own standout season.

Salerno began the year at inside linebacker, but moved back to outside during the season.

Still, he led the PAC in tackles with 110, had 10 stops for a loss and three quarterback sacks.

Not bad for a player who began his career at safety and 30 pounds lighter.

“It's rewarding. It's an honor,” Salerno said. “But it's not about me. We had a lot of talented guys on defense that freed me up to make those tackles.”

Salerno had five double-digit tackle games this season. He had 15 against Case Western Reserve and 14 each against Juniata and Waynesburg.

Against Thiel in a 63-0 rout, Salerno had 10 tackles, five for a loss, and a sack.

In the bowl win, he had nine tackles.

As a sophomore, Salerno played in nine games as a reserve and recorded 15 tackles.

Last year was his breakout campaign. He became a full-time starter at midseason and recorded 43 tackles and two sacks.

Salerno said it will always be special for him and the other seniors to go from 0-10 to two-time bowl champions.

“We're the first graduating class for (head coach Andrew DiDonato),” Salerno said. “He came in with a clear vision and we all bought into it.”

The ultimate goal, though, was to win the conference title — something that still has eluded the Wolverines.

Salerno said it's just a matter of time before Grove City wins the PAC.

“I'm going to feel a part of it,” Salerno said. “I think they can do it. There's a lot of talent coming up. We have a good freshmen class with great guys who will all step up.”