Penn State took sole control of first place in the Rugby East with an all-encompassing 54-24 win over Kutztown in Happy Valley, PA, on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions started the game without flyhalf Mike Dabulas, who was hit with a red card last week and is sitting out two weeks as a result. However, former Army flyhalf Thomas Del Pino was a more than able replacement in the No. 10 jersey.

PSU scored the opener thanks to a well-taken lineout and maul that Ryan McNulty toughed down. 

KU replied to tie the game at 7-7, but Penn State captain and flanker Malcolm May went over off another lineout play to help the Nittany Lions reclaim the lead. While McNulty added a try as well, both of those scoring efforts went unconverted. 

Kutztown answered with its second try to cut the PSU lead momentarily to 17-14. 

Soon after, a Del Pino try made it 24-14 with Jimmy Ronan's conversion, and then Ronan added a penalty to give the Nittany Lions a 27-14 advantage at the break.

In the second half, Penn State took over. Del Pino forced a turnover that led to a Connor Cassidy try and then set up Mike Eife with a pass for another. Lock Leo Van Buskirk scored a try and then thumped over a penalty from midfield before wing Brian Stella finished it off.

"It was a good game for us," May said. "We were able to stay calm under pressure. Both sides put the other under a lot of defensive pressure, and we just didn't throw the ball away as much."

The Penn State maul was functioning nicely and set up several scoring chances. And overall the PSU pack -- as predicted -- proved to be the difference. 

"We are strong up front and our forwards can move the ball as well," May said.

Van Buskirk was a force and showed some nifty skills. His second-row mate Jack McLean was also solid in the breakdowns and set piece.

"We're still not where we want to be," May said. "The guys are stepping up and we have a lot more depth this year, but we know we can do better."

Also in Rugby East action, St. Bonaventure came back from 11 points down to defeat Wheeling Jesuit 30-24. Tries from Pat McCormack, North Westall, and Francisco Herenu capped off the comeback. That put Bonnies at 1-2.

Notre Dame College hammered Buffalo 79-12 in the Nickel City. Marcus Tupuola torched Buffalo for a couple of tries. That victory put NDC at 2-1, but the Falcons didn't move up in the standings because Kutztown and Army both have more bonus points.