GROVE CITY — Andrew DiDonato has every passing record in the Grove City College books.

But there is something he doesn't have that he desperately wants: a Presidents' Athletic Conference title.

"I can't be more excited," said DiDonato, a senior quarterback from South Fayette High. "I truly believe, out of the four years I have been here, this is the best team that we have had."

To get to the top of the conference, Grove City must climb over two formidable foes in defending champion Thomas More and perennial power Washington & Jefferson.

The Wolverines were picked to finish third behind those two schools in the preseason poll, but many feel Grove City to be a dark horse this season.

Count DiDonato as one of them.

"That's where we are right now and that's where we deserve to be," DiDonato said. "We're in a position to make some true noise in this conference. It's just a matter of how hard are we going to work."

There is no question about DiDonato's work ethic. Since he came through the doors at Robert E. Thorn Field as a freshman, he was worked toward this goal.

In his first season, he showed flashes of brilliance, but he also displayed his inexperience. The Wolverines won just three games.

As a sophomore, DiDonato improved and became more consistent. Always blessed with a strong, accurate arm and a knack for the game, he became a leader, helping Grove City to a 4-6 season and followed it up last year by helping the Wolverines to their first winning season since 2000.

If the trend continues, a nine-win campaign may be in order.

"That's exactly right," DiDonato said. "I care about wins. Everything else can go out the window. That's the only stat I care about."

Even if those stats are impressive.

DiDonato threw for 1,923 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while completing more than 60 percent of his passes.

The scary thing is he may be even better this season.

"He had a great offseason in the weight room," said Grove City College coach Chris Smith. "He threw the deep ball in spring practice farther and better than he ever has before. Just the experience and the intelligence made a difference in the last five or six games last season. He made great decisions and eliminated the bad ones."

DiDonato also has a strong supporting cast around him.

The running back situation is as strong as it has been since R.J. Bowers was bulling his way into the record books, Smith said. The backfield is so deep, Smith fears he won't have enough carries to go around.

"We have a bona fide running attack," Smith said. "We have some running backs who are well known within the framework of our organization but are not as well known outside of that. But they are really good."

The defense should be stout again in a conference that features explosive offensive attacks, the offensive line is big and experienced, and the receiving corps returns two top targets.

"We have two great split ends, one of which who is maybe the most unknown receiver threat in the conference in Luke O'Hara," Smith said.

That may keep DiDonato smiling into November.

"Our running backs, what a talented group, and our receivers, what a talented group," DiDonato said. "We have the biggest offensive line since R.J. Bowers. It's pretty hard not to get excited about that."