The Blue Hawks were limited to 168 yards of total offense and 10 first downs as Midland controlled field position and turned several short fields into points. The Warriors finished with 456 yards, including 294 through the air, and scored 21 points in the first half.

"It was a poor performance by our team, and I didn't have them ready to play," head coach Pete Stanton said. "We need to be better in all three phases than we were. We have a lot of work to do, and we'll get back after it this week."

Dickinson State's defense gave the offense an early opportunity by keeping Midland off the scoreboard on the game's opening possession. Ben Glasscock pressured quarterback Brodey Johnson on third down before Payden Alexander's 43-yard field goal attempt came up short.

The Blue Hawks could not take advantage, however, and a 63-yard Midland punt return flipped the field on their ensuing possession. The Warriors took over at the Dickinson State 11 and needed just two plays to score, with Brady Singer crossing the goal line from 2 yards out for a 7-0 lead with 8:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Dickinson State kept the deficit at one score for the remainder of the opening period but had difficulty sustaining drives. The Blue Hawks went three-and-out on each of their first two possessions and did not record a first down until their third series.

Midland created separation in the second quarter.

Johnson capped an 84-yard drive with a 40-yard touchdown pass to TJ Covington with 10:13 remaining before connecting with Jurrion Dickey on a 30-yard score late in the half. The two touchdown drives covered 143 yards and sent the Warriors into halftime ahead 21-0.

Dickinson State opened the second half with its most productive possession of the night. The Blue Hawks moved 47 yards on nine plays and advanced to the Midland 18 before Matt Jones intercepted Hudsen Grovom with 10:29 remaining in the third quarter.

The defense responded by forcing a punt, and Dickinson State later stopped Midland on downs at the Blue Hawk 27 to keep the Warriors scoreless in the third quarter.

Midland put the game away in the fourth. Singer scored his second 2-yard rushing touchdown with 9:06 remaining, and Alexander added a 23-yard field goal less than three minutes later for the final margin.

Grovom led Dickinson State on the ground with 31 yards on eight carries and completed 4-of-10 passes for 44 yards. Chase Campbell completed 5-of-14 attempts for 26 yards. Jackson Whicker caught a team-high four passes for 23 yards, while Gage Gilbert finished with two receptions for 24 yards.

Defensively, Ryan Racht and Brody Jenness each recorded eight tackles. Jenness added a 10-yard sack, while Dylan Dahlgren finished with seven tackles. Chase Selle had six tackles and a tackle for loss as the Blue Hawks totaled eight tackles for loss.

Ty Nelson averaged 39.6 yards on nine punts and placed four inside the Midland 20, including a long of 64 yards.

Midland quarterback Brodey Johnson completed 17-of-31 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. Dickey led the Warriors with five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, while Singer rushed for 78 yards and two scores on 20 carries.

Dickinson State returns to the road Thursday, Sept. 3, to face Valley City State in Valley City, North Dakota. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.