October 6th, 2026 7:00am
D2Football.com is pleased to announce the players of the week for week five of the 2026 season. This week's honorees are Edward Waters quarterback Tavion Faulk, UT Permian Basin linebacker McKyle So'oto and McKendree kicker Truman Carnine.
Offense
Tavion Faulk, QB, Edward Waters
Tavion Faulk accounted for more than 500 yards of total offense in Edward Waters’ victory over No. 24 Kentucky State. Faulk, a senior from Carencro, Louisiana, completed 32 of 40 pass attempts for 498 yards. Four of his completions resulted in touchdowns and he added a rushing touchdown from eight yards out. As a team, Edward Waters totaled 614 yards of offense and 61 points in the win over a ranked Thorobreds team. The victory boosted the Tigers to a record of 5-1 overall and 4-0 against division II opponents. They currently sit in first place in the SIAC standings and earned the program’s first national ranking in the NCAA era.
Defense
McKyle So’oto, LB, UT Permian Basin
UT Permian Basin linebacker McKyle So’oto led a Falcon defense that produced five turnovers in an upset road victory over No. 15 Northeastern State. So’oto’s day included 15 total tackles, 10 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. He also added an interception that he returned 28 yards into plus territory. McKyle So’oto is a redshirt senior from Oceanside, California.
Special Teams
Truman Carnine, K, McKendree
McKendree kicker Truman Carnine contributed 14 total points in the Bearcats’ dramatic 46-43 overtime win over Quincy. He was a perfect 5-5 in PATs and 3-3 in field goal attempts from 38, 41 and 39 yards. His final kick occurred on the last play of the game. After the Bearcat defense forced a turnover in the first overtime period, Carmine booted a 39-yard, walk-off field goal to win the game. Carmine, a freshman from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, also handled kickoff duties averaging 62.9 yards on 8 kicks.
Week Four
Offense: Connor Carver, QB, Bemidji State
Defense: Dominic Maultsby, Jr, LB, West Liberty
Special Teams: Jevon Young, DB, Western Colorado
Week Three
Offense: Gunnar Hensley, QB, Augustana
Defense: J.C. Heim, LB, Washburn
Special Teams: Chase Koch, LB, Michigan Tech
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