Football

NE10 Football Report: Week 2

AIC Improves to 2-0

Northeast 10 FOOTBALL

Players of the Week

OFFENSIVE Player of the Week
Week 2
Dom
SANTIAGO
Assumption / Junior / QB/ Bio

Santiago turned in a remarkable individual performance against No. 3 Kutztown University, accounting for all five of Assumption’s touchdowns in Thursday night’s 56–35 loss. The junior quarterback completed 26 of 35 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for two more scores. He struck early with touchdown passes of 67 and 36 yards, then continued to lead the Greyhounds’ charge in the second half with two rushing touchdowns and a 16-yard scoring pass.

Behind Santiago, Assumption’s 35 points were the most scored against Kutztown’s defense in a regular-season game since Sept. 24, 2022. That day, current Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns while leading Shepherd to a 42–35 victory over the Golden Bears. Santiago’s five-touchdown showing against one of the nation’s top-ranked teams placed his performance in impressive company. 

26 COMPLETIONS
343 PASSING YARDS
5 TOUCHDOWNS (3 PASS, 2 RUSH)
Defensive Player of the Week
Week 2
Benjamin
ANTOINE
AIC / Senior / S/ Bio
Antoine had an excellent defensive day with four tackles, and made one of the biggest plays of the game early in the third, intercepting a pass and taking it 56 yards for a touchdown; it was AIC's first of the game and gave the team a 13-7 lead. AIC went on to defeat Lock Haven, 21-14. It was AIC's first pick-six since JJ Gonzalez took an interception back against New Haven on September 29, 2023.
4 TACKLES
1 INTERCEPTION
56 YARD RETURN FOR TD
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER of the Week
Week 2
Luke
SHEETS
AIC / Freshman / K/ Bio
Sheets was again excellent for AIC, remaining perfect on the year with two early field goals to help the Yellow Jackets strike first and a successful PAT after Benjamin Antoine's pick-six. AIC defeated Lock Haven, 21-14. 
7 POINTS
25, 29 YARD FIELD GOALs
282 KICKOFF YARDS
Rookie of the Week
Week 2
John
WALSH KARAM
Assumption / Sophomore / WR/ Bio
In his first collegiate action, Walsh Karam had three receptions for 77 yards and a score. The Worcester native hauled in a 36-yard touchdown strike from Dom Santiago in the first quarter, giving Assumption a 14-7 lead over No. 3 Kutztown. 
3 RECEPTIONS
77 yarDS
1 TOUCHDOWN
The Season

2026 Winners.

Week 01
Offensive Player of the Week
Hardley Gilmore
AIC
Defensive Player
Jakkai Stith
AIC
Special Teams
Luke Sheets
AIC
Rookie
Luke Sheets
AIC
Week 02
Offensive Player of the Week
Dom Santiago
Assumption
Defensive Player
Benjamin Antoine
AIC
Special Teams
Luke Sheets (2)
AIC
Rookie
John Walsh Karam
Assumption
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
 
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