David Gitlitz was glad to see No. 1-ranked Ohio State's Big Ten showdown with Penn State was played last night.

He wouldn't have to miss seeing the game on TV. Had it not been a night game, there would have been a problem. He had other plans for yesterday afternoon.

Gitlitz, a standout linebacker for Washington & Jefferson College, and his Presidents teammates had a pretty big game themselves -- a battle of unbeatens in the Presidents' Athletic Conference between W&J and arch-rival Waynesburg.

"I'm I a huge Ohio State fan," said Gitlitz, a junior at W&J. "I'm from the Columbus area, so I grew up cheering for the Buckeyes. I would have gone to Ohio State if they had recruited me."

Washington & Jefferson coach Mike Sirianni is glad Ohio State didn't recruit Gitliz.

"When you consider the academic standards our students must achieve, we have to recruit [more than in Western] Pennsylvania," said Sirianni. "We don't have many kids from the Columbus area, but were fortunate to recruit David."

Ironically, Gitlitz, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker from Bexley High School, found out about Washington & Jefferson from a former Ohio State player.

"I heard coach [Richard] McNutt was at our high school," said Gitlitz, referring to a former W&J assistant coach who is now at Virginia Military Institute. "I remember watching him play at Ohio State. I met him and found out he was coaching at Washington & Jefferson College. I had never even heard of the school.

"My dad and I decided to make an informal visit to W&J after a recruiting visit to Robert Morris. We ran into coach McNutt again and set up a formal visit for a couple weeks later."

Gitlitz came to W&J in 2005 and saw significant playing time as a backup linebacker and special teams player as a freshman. He recorded 18 tackles, including eight solo, and recorded his first interception.

"David has excellent speed for a kid his size," said Sirianni. "And he's improved athletically every year since he got here."

Gitlitz earned a starting job at outside linebacker last season and was the Presidents' leading tackler. He had 42 solo tackles and assisted on 49 others to rank eighth in the PAC in total tackles. He was also an All-PAC honorable mention selection.

"I was an inside linebacker in high school, but played on the outside my first two years of college," said Gitlitz. "This year, I'm back in the middle."

Gitlitz said he welcomes the added responsibility of playing on the inside: "I'm responsible for calling all the defensive signals. I also have to know what everybody on the defense is doing, so I can make sure they are lined up correctly. It's a lot of responsibility, but I enjoy the challenge."

Washington & Jefferson entered yesterday's PAC showdown against Waynesburg with a 7-0 record. Gitlitz is once again leading the Presidents in tackles. In seven games, he has 35 solo tackles, 39 assists, nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, two pass break-ups and one fumble recovery.

"One thing that makes David so dangerous is his long reach," said Sirianni. "He's 6-foot-3 and has long arms. It's been especially evident the last few games. He had an interception in the fourth quarter against Thiel that locked up the game. He also had one against Grove City."

Washington & Jefferson outscored its first seven opponents, 333-110.

"It's been a lot of fun watching the offense," said Gitlitz. "Bobby [Swallow, W&J's starting quarterback] has been amazing. He has 33 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. And one of the interceptions came on a tip. He's having a spectacular season."

Gitlitz is also receiving his share of accolades.

"David is clearly the best defensive player on our team," said Sirianni. "He has great athletic ability and has provided great leadership. You can't ask for much more than that."