For the second time this season, UT Permian Basin junior linebacker Tristan Exline has been named D2Football.com’s National Defensive Player of the Week.

Exline had 20 tackles – eight solo and six for a loss of 38 yards – two forced fumbles and one sack to lead the No. 17-ranked Falcons to a 47-34 win over Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 8. His six tackles for loss are the most in the LSC this season. He also had a 23-yard reception on a fake punt to set up UTPB’s second touchdown of the game.

Exline, who also won the conference’s top weekly defensive award for the second time this season, had 11 tackles in the first quarter alone. His second forced fumble came late in the second quarter and led to a TD to make it 40-7 at halftime.

Exline leads the LSC in tackles for loss (17.5) and is third in total tackles (94).

Exline is the fifth D2Football.com national player of the week honoree this season. He was awarded after the first week of the season, Central Washington sophomore kick returner Beau Phillips (Week 4) and Midwestern State freshman punt returner Cedonyae Lott (Week 6) earned the title of National Special Teams Player of the Week and Eastern New Mexico junior quarterback Jarius Stewart won National Offensive Player for Week honors for Week 8.

To read D2Football.com’s release, click here.