Cortland State moved to 2-0 in the Upstate NY Men’s DII college conference with a 26-7 defeat of Ithaca College Saturday.

Also moving to 2-0 was Buffalo State, which held off Geneseo 14-7, and Niagara, which beat league newcomers RIT 31-3.

Cortland got a big game from inside center Tyler Russell, who has stepped into a position the team was concerned might be a liability. In addition, lock Patrick O’Grady is a newcomer with talent.

Mike Dotzler is one of several young players, including Russell, O’Grady, and fullback Harrison Conn, who have made an impact.

Players with no prior rugby experience, said Dotzler, are becoming starters.

The big tests for Cortland and Niagara, specifically, are still to come. While Buffalo State has already beaten SUNY Oswego, one of the conference contenders, the Red Dragons and Purple Eagles have had slightly easier opposition. All three will have to deal with each other soon enough, and that begins next week when Buffalo State visits Cortland State.