Warriors Snap Losing Streak with Win over No. 14 Dordt

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – In a contest that had eight turnovers, Midland University picked up a big road victory, 10-7, over the previously undefeated and No. 14-ranked Dordt University on Saturday afternoon at Open Space Park.

On the opening drive of the game, the Warriors marched into Dordt territory, but a Garrison Beach's pass on the eighth play of the drive was intercepted by the Defenders' Grant Hixson, halting the Warriors' offensive threat. Dordt put together an eight-play drive to get into scoring position, however, a Stephen Leinen 40-yard field goal attempt fell short, giving the ball back to Midland with 8:43 to play in the opening quarter. Both teams would exchange punts on their next drives as the first quarter ended scoreless.

In the second, a Warriors' drive resulted in another punt giving the Defenders the ball at their own 48-yard line. Five plays later, they elected to go for it on a fourth down and six from the 28-yard line. Kolson Kruse's pass, intended for Cade Rohwer fell incomplete, and Midland took over possession. Two Tyson Denkert carries resulted in a pair of first downs, on the next drive, but on the third play, Denkert fumbled and the Defenders took over at midfield. The home team was able to cash in four plays later. Dordt's Kruse delivered an 11-yard pass to Nick Wellen for a touchdown. After the Leinen extra point, they led 7-0 with 8:23 remaining in the first half.

The Warriors got the ball back but turned it over on their second-straight possession when a Beach pass was intercepted by Hixson at the 23-yard line. The turnover was the third by Midland in the half, and the second interception for Dordt's Hixson, in the game. After a three-and-out, Midland got the ball back but was forced to punt six plays later. On the punt, Zach Hodge's kick was fumbled away by the Defenders and Midland took over at the Dordt 32-yard line, with 2:05 left in the half. The Warriors capitalized by picking up a pair of first downs, calling two timeouts to preserve the game to set up a field goal attempt. Jared Quinonez got Midland on the board with a 49-yard kick with 21 seconds remaining before halftime, making the score 7-3, in favor of Dordt. That was the score following a knee-down by the Defender as the teams went to their halftime locker rooms.

In the third quarter, Dordt opened up with the ball and ran five plays but was forced to punt. Midland took over the ball at the Warriors' 19-yard line and picked up a pair of first downs, but on the eighth play of the drive, they turned the ball over for the fourth time on the afternoon as Denkert fumbled at their own 30-yard line with 7:08 left in the third quarter. Midland's defense forced Dordt to punt on its next drive and they took over on their own 23-yard line. Eight plays into the drive the quarter ran out with Dordt still leading Midland, 7-3.

After the teams switched sides, Midland ran four plays, but on a fourth down and 16 at the Dordt 30, Beach's pass fell incomplete, giving the Defenders the ball with 13:37 to play in the game. The Warriors' defense stepped up once more as they forced a Dordt three-and-out. After the Defender punt, Midland started its next drive at their own 47-yard line.

The Warriors picked up a pair of first downs and on then on second-and-goal, Beach carried the ball into the endzone from seven yards out to give the Warriors their first lead. The PAT put Midland ahead 10-7 with 8:50 remaining in the game.

After the kickoff, Dordt's Kolson Kruse completed a pass to Konner Knauf on the opening play of the drive, but Knauf fumbled, giving Midland back the ball at the Warriors' 46-yard line. Midland put together a drive that did not result in points but chewed up 6:06 off the clock. A punt from Hodge pinned Dordt back at its' own 11-yard line with 2:34 left in the game.

On the second straight drive, Midland's defense forced a turnover on the Defenders' first play from scrimmage. A pass from Kruse pass was intercepted by the Warriors' Trey Kingsland. Midland took the ball over at the Dordt 35-yard line with 2:28 to play. The Warriors' offense kept the ball on the ground, trying to chew up as much time off the clock as possible. After two Dordt timeouts, Midland faced a fourth-and-five at the 18-yard line. Desmond Prusia's carry came up a yard short of the first down as Dordt took over on downs at their own 14-yard line with 1:30 left in the game.

After Midland's Jay Ballard sacked Kruse back at the three-yard line, Dordt was able to recover as they picked up a pair of first downs, moving the ball near midfield with 13 seconds remaining. A pair of incomplete passes brought up a crucial fourth down and on the final play of the game, Kruse's pass was intercepted by Midland's Zane Stenger, securing the Warriors' 10-7 victory and handing the Defenders their first loss of the season.

Midland (4-3, 3-3) rushed the ball 52 times for 129 yards. Through the air, they were 15-of-23 for 127 yards. Midland ran 75 plays for 256 yards of total offense. Dordt (4-1, 4-1) rushed the ball 32 times for 137 yards. The Defenders were 10-of-22 passing for 119 yards. Dordt ran 54 plays and matched Midland with also 256 yards of total offense.

The Warriors' Tyson Denkert carried the ball 27 times for 125 yards on the afternoon. Midland quarterback Garrison Beach had 13 carries for -31 yards but scored the eventual game-winning touchdown on a seven-yard carry. Beach was 15-of-23 throwing the ball for 127 yards and was intercepted twice. Tariq Brown was the Warriors' top receiver, catching five passes for 52 yards.

Dordt quarterback Kolson Kruse was the Defenders' top ground gainer. He carried the ball 13 times for 57 yards. Through the air, Kruse was 10-for-22 for 119 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Connor Dodd led Dordt with one reception for 29 yards. Nick Wellen caught one pass which was good for the Defenders' lone touchdown, of 11 yards.

On defense, Midland was led by Treden Davis-Reed. He had eight tackles, plus a forced fumble. Xavier Green added seven stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, plus a pass breakup. Burton Brandt had four tackles and a pass breakup. Jay Ballard had three tackles, and a sack on the Defenders' final drive of the game, plus a pass breakup. Tray Kingsland added two tackles plus an interception that was returned for 12 yards. Zane Stenger had two tackles, one for a loss, one fumble recovery, plus an interception. Noah Ethan had one tackle and a quarterback hurry. Ashton Fleming had one tackle and a fumble recovery on one of four Dordt turnovers on the day. Uiti Moe had one tackle and a quarterback hurry. Gabriel VanWinkle had one tackle, and a half a tackle for a loss.

Dordt was led by Dan Jungling who had 11 tackles, ten of which were solo. Drew Daum had nine tackles, four sacks, and five total tackles for loss. Ian MacDonald had eight tackles and a pass breakup. Abraham Stoesz added seven tackles and a pass breakup. Lucas Huttinga had seven tackles, half of a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. Grant Hixson had seven tackles, a forced fumble, and two interceptions. Jordan Gall added five tackles, one sack, two total tackles for loss, and recovered two Midland fumbles. Sam Andrews had four tackles and a half of a tackle for loss. Cooper Hidalgo added one tackle which was a sack of 14 yards. Derek Paup also had one tackle, which was a sack for ten yards.

The Midland victory was the first over a ranked opponent, on the road, since Midland defeated Dordt, 25-24, on September 4, 2021. Dordt was ranked 14th at that time, as well.

The Defenders will return to action next week when they play at Jamestown. Midland will play its next two games at home. The Warriors will host Mounty Marty, on Saturday, October 14 at Heedum Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. in Fremont, Nebraska.