JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — History continues to be written for Edward Waters University Football.
Following a thrilling 61-42 comeback victory over previously nationally ranked Kentucky State, the Tigers have earned their first national Top 25 ranking of the NCAA Division II era, entering the latest D2Football.com Top 25 Poll at No. 25 in the nation. Edward Waters is one of three new programs to enter this week's national rankings.
The historic recognition comes as Edward Waters also ascends to the top of the HBCU Division II landscape, with the Tigers moving into the No. 1 position among Division II HBCUs in the Black College Football Poll, marking a significant achievement for a program continuing its rise under head coach Brian Jenkins.
The rise has been fueled by a four-game winning streak and one of the most explosive offenses in NCAA Division II football.
Edward Waters has scored 254 points through six games, an average of 42.3 points per contest. Over their current four-game winning streak, the Tigers have scored 36 against Miles, 55 against Savannah State, 46 at Morehouse and a season-high 61 against Kentucky State.
The Tigers have been especially dangerous over their last three contests, piling up 162 points, an average of 54.0 points per game.
At the center of the offensive explosion has been quarterback Tavion Faulk, who has established himself as one of the premier signal callers in the SIAC and Division II.
Faulk entered the Kentucky State matchup with 1,412 passing yards and 14 touchdowns through five games. He then delivered his biggest performance of the season against the Thorobreds, completing 32-of-40 passes for 498 yards and four touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.
That performance pushed Faulk to approximately 1,910 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns through six games, averaging more than 318 passing yards per contest. He has also accounted for multiple touchdowns on the ground and has twice earned SIAC Offensive Player of the Week recognition this season.
Faulk has plenty of weapons surrounding him.
Wide receiver Izaiah Jean-Baptiste entered the Kentucky State game with 483 receiving yards before exploding for 10 receptions, 114 yards and a touchdown, pushing him to nearly 600 receiving yards on the season.
Tylon Williams has also emerged as one of Faulk's primary big-play threats. Against Kentucky State, Williams hauled in six receptions for a team-high 127 yards and a touchdown, while Jayden Pressey added 76 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tigers have also received production on the ground from preseason SIAC Offensive Player of the Year Johntarrious Thomas, who has rushed for more than 300 yards this season while providing another threat as a receiver. Thomas scored twice on the ground in the fourth quarter against Kentucky State, helping EWU put the game away.
Edward Waters' offensive numbers have risen dramatically during its winning streak. The Tigers generated 614 yards of total offense against Kentucky State, including 498 through the air, while averaging 9.3 yards per play.
The defense has also produced timely plays throughout the Tigers' historic start.
Preseason SIAC Defensive Player of the Year Trevon French continues to anchor the unit. French entered last Saturday as EWU's leading tackler and added a 12-tackle performance against Kentucky State, giving him nearly 70 total tackles through six games.
Against the Thorobreds, Edward Waters' defense recorded six sacks, nine tackles for loss and forced two fumbles. Jordan Allen finished with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, while Javon Miller added 1.5 sacks and Tyreese Williams recorded another.
Perhaps most impressive has been how Edward Waters has responded since suffering its lone loss of the season against NCAA Division I opponent Jackson State. The Tigers have reeled off four consecutive victories, all against SIAC opponents, to establish themselves as the team to beat in the conference.
The latest victory may have been the biggest statement yet.
Edward Waters trailed Kentucky State 28-14 at halftime before erupting for 47 second-half points, including 28 in the fourth quarter, to secure a 61-42 victory. The win improved EWU to 5-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in SIAC play, gave the Tigers their first victory over Kentucky State since joining the conference and moved them into sole possession of first place in the SIAC standings.
Now, the Tigers can add another milestone to an already memorable 2026 campaign: nationally ranked.
Edward Waters will have an opportunity to enjoy the historic achievement and recharge this week, as the Tigers will be idle with a bye this upcoming Saturday.
EWU will return to action on Saturday, October 17, when the nationally ranked Tigers travel to face Benedict College in another important SIAC matchup on ESPN+.
From being selected to finish first in the SIAC preseason poll to now sitting 5-1, 4-0 in conference play, atop the SIAC standings, No. 1 among Division II HBCUs and No. 25 nationally, Edward Waters Football has officially entered uncharted territory in its NCAA Division II era.
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