November 3rd, 2026 9:00am
D2Football.com is pleased to announce the players of the week for week nine of the 2026 season. This week’s honorees are New Mexico Highlands quarterback Collin Stucki, Truman State defensive back James Franklin, III and East Stroudsburg kicker Ty Quintois.
Offense
Collin Stucki, QB, New Mexico Highlands
Collin Stucki set a new high for the season with 62 pass attempts in New Mexico Highlands’ contest with Colorado Mesa. Stucki completed 36 of his attempts for 507 yards and five touchdowns. His 507 yards are the second most by a Division II player this season and only the third 500 yard performance. With the addition of 59 rushing yards, his 566 total offensive yards is the most this season by a Division II player. Although the Cowboys lost the game, Stucki led the offense to 639 total yards and 46 points. Collin Stucki is a Sophomore from Cicola, Texas.
Defense
James Franklin, III Truman State
James Franklin, III became the first player in Truman State program history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. His “pick-sixes” occurred on consecutive possession in the second quarter. His game changing plays were separated by just three offensive snaps. His first was returned 37 yards and the second was returned 39 yards. His defensive points boosted the Truman State lead from 13-3 to an insurmountable 27-3 in just one minute of game action. Franklin also added three solo tackles , contributing to a defensive effort that limited Lincoln to 239 total yards. James Franklin, III is a freshman from Chicago, Illinois.
Special Teams
Ty Quintois, K, East Stroudsburg
Place kicker Ty Quintois was responsible for 20 points in East Stroudsburg’s 32-25 upset of No. 4 Kutztown. The Senior from Harlesyville, Pennsylvania converted a school record six field goals in the contest and also added two PAT. His field goals were true from distances of 42, 42, 21, 31, 34 and 28. His only miss of the day was a 57-yard attempt on the final play of regulation. For the season, Quintois leads the nation in total field goals made with 20. Also contributing to the field goal unit were long snapper Thomas Schwegler, a Junior from East Brunswick, New Jersey and holder Adam Noll, a Senior from Robesonia, Pennsylvania. Noll also serves as the team’s punter.
Week Eight
Offense: Maddox Olatunde, QB, Southern Nazarene
Defense: Dante Vernieri, LB, Assumption
Special Teams: Kendrick Joseph, KR, West Alabama
Week Seven
Offense: Hunter Patterson, RB, West Liberty
Defense: Jake Tucker, LB, Emporia State
Special Teams: JT Miller, K, Western Colorado
Week Six
Offense: Christian Kretz, WR, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Defense: Quinton Robinson, DB, Ohio Dominican
Special Teams: Gabriel Ogura, K, East Central
Week Five
Offense: Tavion Faulk, QB, Edward Waters
Defense: McKyle So’oto, LB, UT Permian Basin
Special Teams: Truman Carnin, K, McKendree
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