ODESSA, Texas (September 1, 2025) – Junior linebacker Tristan Exline of The University of Texas Permian Basin football team, has been named the D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week for "Week 0."

This award comes after Exline was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Tristan Exline led a UTPB defense that limited Central Oklahoma to just 14 points in the season opener. UCO led the nation in yards per game last season. Exline contributed nine total tackles, with five solo, a tackle for loss and a sack. The junior from China Spring, Texas, was credited with two quarterback hurries and intercepted a pass that he returned fifteen yards. The Falcons turned the interception into points with a field goal on the following possession.

Exline and the Falcons will turn into road warriors for the next two games, beginning with a showdown at Adams State University (0-1) this Saturday, September 6, at 7 p.m. Central Time / 6 p.m. Mountain Time from Alamosa, Colorado.