September 21st, 2026 11:00pm
D2Football.com is pleased to announce the players of the week for week three of the 2026 season. This week’s honorees are Augustana quarterback Gunnar Hensley, Washburn linebacker JC Heim and Michigan Tech linebacker Chase Koch.
Offense
Gunnar Hensley, QB, Augustana
Gunnar Hensley completed 27 of 38 pass attempts (71.7%) for 371 yards in Augustana’s 45-21 win over MSU Moorhead. Among his completions were a season-best five touchdowns. For the season to date, Hensley leads Division II in total passing yards (1510) and passing yards per game (378). Gunnar Hensley is a senior from Carlsbad, California.
Defense
J.C. Heim, LB, Washburn
J.C. Heim led a Washburn defensive effort that yielded just 10 points in a low scoring victory over Central Oklahoma. Heim contributed 12 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack of fourteen yards, a forced fumble, pass break and an interception. Heim was key to a first half goal line stand that held UCO out of the endzone. He contributed to the tackle on four consecutive plays from the Washburn one yard line. Late in the game with the Ichabods holding a slim four point lead, Heim ended UCO’s final two possessions. First, he broke up a pass on a fourth down that handed possession back to Washburn. After UCO regained possession for one final attempt at a game winning drive, he intercepted a pass to end the threat and seal the victory. JC Heim is junior from Topeka, Kansas.
Special Teams
Chase Koch, LB, Michigan Tech
Special teams played a huge role in Michigan Tech’s 33-32 victory over visiting Upper Iowa on Saturday. Among the numerous plays contributed by the special teams were two blocked kicks by Chase Koch. In the fourth quarter, Kock blocked a point after attempt that limited Upper Iowa’s lead to three points instead of four. This crucial turn of events allowed Michigan Tech to tie the game with a 50-yard field goal just minutes later. That score would stand until the end of regulation, but not without another contribution from Koch on special teams. Upper Iowa had one final chance to win the game in regulation but Koch blocked a 51-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Koch was also the defensive leader for the Huskies throughout the game, contributing 13 total tackles, a tackle for loss and two QB hurries. He leads the GLIAC in total tackles for the season to date. Chase Kock is a senior from Madison, Wisconsin
Week Two
Izaiah Jean-Baptiste, WR, Edward Waters
Alex Sauve, LB, Shippensburg
Malik Brown, WR / KR, UNC Pembroke
Week One
Offense: Hank Kraft, RB, Northern State
Defense: Legend Doggett, DB, West Alabama
Special Teams: Tristan Hite, P, Chadron State
Week Zero
Offense: Cephus Harris, RB, Davenport
Defense: Carter Daniels, LB, CSU Pueblo
Special teams: Neal May, KR / PR, Augustana