Tag: Nate Landman

Nate Landman “likely” won’t play against Oregon

Nate Landman is recovering from an injury he sustained vs. Cal.

The Colorado Buffaloes’ chances against the Oregon Ducks seem to be dwindling.

Nate Landman “likely” won’t play in Saturday’s game as he recovers from a soft tissue injury he sustained in the game against California, head coach Karl Dorrell told reporters on Wednesday.

“He’s likely out because he’s pretty sore,” Dorrell said. “We’re hopeful he’ll get a chance to bounce back. But he’s not going to be able to play this week.”

He missed a drive or two late in the first half but returned in the second half against Cal.

Landman has been the rock for the Colorado defense over the last four years.

The 6-foot-3 linebacker currently leads CU in tackles with 71, the next closest behind him is Isaiah Lewis with 47. This is the fourth-straight season Landman has averaged over 10 tackles per game.

Landman recently became the sixth player in CU history to record 400 tackles in his career.

He was named second-team All-American for his efforts last season by both the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele. He was named second-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele before this season.

It will be interesting to see how the Buffs try to replace him. True freshman Zephaniah Maea (one tackle) currently sits behind him on the depth chart, along with junior Jon Van Diest (three tackles) who has played a lot of football during his time at Colorado.

But they could also go away from the traditional ‘mike’ linebackers and go with one of the guys that have played more this season including Robert Barnes (10 tackles), Jack Lamb (11 tackles) or Marvin Ham (five tackles).

Other injury notes

  • Quarterback Brendon Lewis has practiced this week and will likely play vs. Oregon
  • Wide receiver Dimitri Stanley is “making progress” and will be a game time decision vs. Oregon
  • Running back Ashaad Clayton remains out and may be a redshirt candidate for the season

Newfound optimism vanishes for CU Buffs in 26-3 loss to California

Colorado’s woes resumed in a 26-3 loss to Cal

The Colorado Buffaloes played out a familiar synopsis on Saturday in arguably their most uninspiring performance of 2021. Coming off a dominant shutout win over Arizona, the Buffs fell horribly flat in a 26-3 loss to California.

Colorado, which dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in Pac-12 play, managed just 104 total yards and relinquished a season-high six sacks. Chase Garbers ran and threw all over the Buffs’ defense, which couldn’t make up for the poor offensive performance.

For Karl Dorrell, another “really good week of practice” preceding another brutal loss stumped him.

“That wasn’t the type of game I was expecting at all,” Dorrell said.

While we knew the Golden Bears were better than their 1-5 record said coming into Week 8, their superiority on both sides of the ball was concerning, especially considering the momentum Colorado supposedly had after last week. Cal cruised in the first half and scored two touchdowns and three field goals to take a 23-3 lead. Cole Becker’s 33-yard field goal, which was largely set up by a 67-yard Brenden Rice kickoff return, was the only response CU could muster.

Oct 23, 2021; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears tight end Keleki Latu (40) catches a pass for the touchdown during the first quarter against Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Quinn Perry (12) at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium. Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Even for the biggest fans of defense, the second half was largely a snoozer. The Buffs recorded one first down and held possession for just seven and a half minutes. They did hold Cal to only three points, however, to mention at least one positive. Nate Landman, who recorded his 400th career tackle in the first quarter, and Mekhi Blackmon each had double-digit tackles on the afternoon.

The special teams’ performance was good, if you care for that. Josh Watts had two punts over 50 yards and two that he finessed inside Cal’s 20-yard line. Rice had an impressive kick return and with Dimitri Stanley absent with a soft tissue injury, Chase Penry returned a punt for 16 yards. Colorado nearly blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter but it was reversed when Christian Gonzalez was found to be offsides.

But the ever-important battle in the trenches was ultimately what lost Colorado this game. In addition to Cal’s 12 tackles for a loss and four QB hits, the Buffs’ running backs averaged just 2.3 yards a carry. Dorrell was once again puzzled by how his O-line got pushed around.

“I can’t quite put a finger on that,” Dorrell said. “I’m trying to figure that out and we’re going to have to really look at that and see what’s going on there. We’ve had some issues up front and I figured that at this point in time we should have some of those things cleared up. But apparently, we’re still struggling with doing some things.”

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Doing his best to navigate meager time in the pocket, Brendon Lewis threw for 69 yards on 9-of-17. Drew Carter replaced Lewis late in the game but attempted just one pass and was more there to just hand the ball off.

With the likes of Dorrell, offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini and now O-line coach Mitch Rodrigue receiving heavy criticism, Rice instead argued that it begins with player accountability.

“If you’re not bought in, you might as well just leave,” Rice said. “There’s no room for anybody who’s trying to be out or trying to excuse themselves from the team. We need to all be bought in in order for us to take the next step because the season’s not over.”

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Nate Landman becomes sixth player in CU history with 400 tackles

“The Hammer” made some more history.

When Nate Landman came into Saturday’s matchup vs. Cal with 399 career tackles, there was little doubt if he’d be able to reach the looming milestone of 400.

Landman hit the landmark on Cal’s second offensive play when he and Mustafa Johnson brought down Damien Moore. The senior linebacker became just the sixth player in Colorado Buffaloes history to have 400 tackles.

The five players ahead of Landman are Barry Remington (493), Matt Russell (446), Greg Biekert (441), Jordan Dizon (440) and Ted Johnson (409). Surpassing Johnson, who played from 1991-1994, is the next marker to watch and could likely happen against Cal.

Landman soon added two more assisted tackles on the drive to help force a 49-yard Cal field goal.

If he can once again lead Colorado in total tackles, which he is currently doing with 61 coming into Cal, Landman would become the first Buffalo to lead the team in tackles four times.

The Golden Bears are currently up 10-0 over CU in the second quarter.

Skies brighten for Colorado Buffaloes in 34-0 trouncing of Arizona

Colorado snapped a four-game losing streak in its 34-0 win over Arizona.

Confidence can be a powerful factor for a college football team and Colorado regained some of that on Saturday in a commanding 34-0 win over Arizona.

For now, let’s ignore the fact that Arizona is now riding an 18-game losing streak. A win is a win, right? Nearly every facet of the now 2-4 Buffaloes took a step forward to finally seal their first Pac-12 win.

Offensively, look no further than what Brendon Lewis and Brenden Rice were able to accomplish. Lewis’ improved deep ball accuracy helped his wide receiver reel in a career-high 111 receiving yards, including a 62-yard touchdown.

It did take a while for the offense to fully get going, however. The ball was moving but Cole Becker’s two made field goals were all the Buffs could get in the first half. And if it weren’t for a four-play goal line stand by the defense, Colorado was nearly down 7-6 late in the second quarter.

The third quarter was really when CU impressed thanks to its defense and special teams.

On an Arizona punt attempt, freshman Trevor Woods, who plays safety outside of special teams, snuck past the Wildcats’ line and blocked the kick. Woods was then able to recover the football and return it 36 yards into the endzone. The punt block turned touchdown was CU’s first since Lawrence Vickers did so against Washington State in 2004. Just five plays later, the fun continued on Arizona’s ensuing drive when defensive end Carson Wells picked off Gunner Cruz and brought it home 50 yards.

Karl Dorrell believed the pair of big plays gave the Buffs a “shot in the arm” to close out the game strong.

“This is a really good win for us because all three areas (offense, defense and special teams) scored touchdowns,” Dorrell said. “A young freshman (Woods) made a play—it was great to see that. It kind of gave us a chance to create some opportunities on the defensive side. Carson Wells did a tremendous job of stepping in front of a pass and going for another score.”

Rice’s 62-yard TD soon followed and Lewis later found Dimitri Stanley for an 11-yard score. Lewis ended the afternoon with a career-high 248 yards and two touchdowns. After receiving plenty of criticism during Colorado’s now extinguished four-game losing streak, the second-year freshman QB appeared relieved following the win.

“I was able to keep my head up because of the support that my teammates and my coaches have showed me throughout this adversity that we’ve gotten,” Lewis said.

Oct 16, 2021; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Brendon Lewis (12) prepares to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Going back to Wells, his pick-six wasn’t his only shining moment on Saturday. All four of his tackles were for a loss and he added a sack of Cruz in the third quarter.

In the secondary, Christian Gonzalez and Mekhi Blackmon were strong once again and Mark Perry caught his first interception of 2021. Cruz and Will Plummer, who replaced an injured Cruz in the third quarter, combined for just 153 passing yards. Colorado’s defensive shutout was its first against a conference opponent since beating Oklahoma State by the same score of 34-0 in 2005.

But with all that being said, a better barometer of how good the Buffs are will come next week at California. Yes, the Golden Bears are 1-5, but they are nowhere near how bad the Wildcats have been. A Buffs’ win in Berkeley would quickly catapult them back to .500 in Pac-12 play.

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Big defensive plays charging CU Buffs

The Colorado Buffaloes’ defense has shined through three quarters against Arizona.

We knew that Arizona, like Colorado, hasn’t exactly put up gaudy offensive numbers in 2021. But pitching a shutout through three quarters against any opponent deserves some praise.

In the first half, the Buffaloes’ defense allowed just 99 total offensive yards and just barely held Arizona off the scoreboard. I say just barely because of a gritty goal line stand that CU put together late in the second half. Earlier in that Arizona drive, however, Colorado wasn’t nearly as disciplined. Aided by Mekhi Blackmon grabbing a facemask and then committing a pass interference penalty on consecutive plays, Arizona marched down to the 1-yard line.

The Wildcats would not gain another yard.

Terrance Lang, Jalen Sami, Christian Gonzalez and Joshka Gustava all had tackles before Nate Landman hurried Gunner Cruz and forced an incompletion on fourth down.

The fourth down stop helped Colorado carry a 6-0 lead into the locker room.

Defensive end Carson Wells had perhaps his best half of the season with three tackles for a loss. Landman, who came into the game nine tackles away from 400 in his career, had four tackles in the first half.

The special teams unit made the first big play of the second half when Trevor Woods blocked a punt and returned it to the end zone. Because of Woods’ heroics, the Buffs’ defense came back to the field a little earlier than expected. On the fifth play of Arizona’s ensuing drive, Wells picked off Cruz and returned it 50 yards for another touchdown. Colorado’s first pick-six since 2018 put the Buffs up 20-0 in the third quarter.

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Getting to know the Sun Devils with ASU sports journalism student Dominic Stearn

Arizona State sports journalism student Dominic Stearn answers a few questions on the Sun Devils.

Both coming off disappointing losses, the 1-2 Colorado Buffaloes and 2-1 Arizona State Sun Devils kick off their Pac-12 schedules together this Saturday in Tempe. Colorado has had ASU’s number in recent years, but the Sun Devils hold an experienced QB in Jayden Daniels. We caught up with ASU sports journalism student Dominic Stearn to learn more about the Sun Devils.

Q: Are you concerned about the play of Jayden Daniels after the loss to BYU? 

Stearn: Daniels was sharp to start the game, but things spiraled in the second quarter and the offense wasn’t able to recover. He was ready to lead a second half comeback, but penalties didn’t allow them to get in a rhythm. I’m not so concerned with Daniels, more the passing game as a whole. 

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Who is one X-factor to watch for the Sun Devils on Saturday? 

Stearn: The receiving unit as a whole is the X-factor for the Sun Devils. There hasn’t been any consistency with the group, and it is limiting the potential of the offense.

Q: What is your prediction for the game? 

Stearn: I think ASU figures out its problems and handles Colorado at home, winning by 14.

Q: How much does the BYU loss affect the Sun Devils and the future of Herm Edwards? 

Stearn: Well it’s just one game, but it showcased the problems for the Sun Devils this year, undisciplined football. That is an issue that can be directly attributed to coaching, and given the current NCAA investigation on the program, if this discipline issue isn’t resolved, it could spell the end for Edwards. The talent on ASU is undeniable, it’s just about getting the most out of it.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Q: The Sun Devils have a grueling schedule coming up with UCLA, USC and Utah over the next month. Are you concerned about this team going forward? 

Stearn: Yes, but their problems are very fixable. We need to see them be fixed against Colorado before traveling to UCLA.

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Q: The Buffs had a disappointing game against Minnesota but hung tough with Texas A&M a week before. Who is one CU player that you are concerned about for Saturday? 

Stearn: Nate Landman, the Buffs leading tackler. The ASU defense has done a great job, but if Landman can slow down the ASU running attack, the other strength of the team at the moment, this could be a very close game.

Colorado Buffaloes held scoreless by Minnesota

RECAP: Colorado dropped to 1-2 following a disappointing loss to Minnesota

Anytime a connection is made to the 2012 Colorado Buffaloes, it’s probably not a good thing. This 2021 team now has that unfortunate bond after being shut out 30-0 by the Minnesota Gophers on Saturday. It marked the Buffaloes first goose egg at Folsom Field since losing 48-0 to Stanford in November of 2012.

Any positives were honestly difficult to find for the now 1-2 Buffaloes, who totaled just 63 yards of offense.

“That was a complete beat down in every phase,” head coach Karl Dorrell said.

In Brendon Lewis’ third game starting at quarterback, his offense was unable to find a first down until the second quarter. After Lewis’ third consecutive lackluster performance, questions came down on Dorrell for potential changes on the offense. The second-year head coach said he will “reevaluate everything” while looking at the tape. In the meantime, getting Lewis more comfortable may be the Buffs’ only option.

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

“He’s having a hard time,” Dorrell said of Lewis. “I got to watch (the film) and talk to him and see what he’s seeing and tell him what he’s seeing and all that stuff, but he’s struggling. We’ve got to be better in coaching him and getting prepared.”

With just 55 passing yards, Lewis was promptly excused for freshman walk-on QB Drew Carter late in the game.

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Following a scoreless first quarter from both sides, Minnesota’s offense, and running back Trey Potts in particular, began to wear down the Buffs. Potts rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter and then added another late in the third quarter. Minnesota kicker Matthew Trickett’s two missed field goals and one missed extra point were the Buffaloes’ only savior on the afternoon.

Minnesota’s 40 minutes of possession exactly doubled that of Colorado, pushing the Buffaloes’ defense to its limits. DB Chris Miller, DL Janaz Jordan and DT Na’im Rodman were all sidelined with apparent injuries during the contest. Their statuses are currently to be determined.

Missed tackles became another frequent issue. Carson Wells, who had a sack and a TFL, blamed a lack of physicality for allowing Minnesota’s playmakers to stay upright for far too long. Colorado’s linebackers, however, ended up having a solid performance. Three LB’s, including Nate Landman, Quinn Perry and Guy Thomas, all recorded double-digit total tackles.

“Defensively, we hung in there at times,” Dorrell said. “We still missed a lot of tackles and we weren’t getting the ball down.”

Perhaps the most abysmal performance on the day was that of the Buffs’ offensive line. Shades of the Denver Broncos’ 2013 Super Bowl loss came when Iowa transfer Noah Fenske, who made his Buffs debut, hiked it past Lewis on the first snap of the game. The O-line allowed four sacks (all on third or fourth down) while giving RB’s Jarek Broussard and Alex Fontenot enough space for 12 combined rushing yards.

The Buffs now turn their sights to Pac-12 play when they travel to No. 19 Arizona State on Sept. 25.

Five reasons why the Colorado Buffaloes will beat Minnesota

A few thoughts on where Colorado can excel against the Gophers

Riding high off a statement performance against then-No. 5 Texas A&M, the Colorado Buffaloes welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers back to Folsom Field for the first time since 1992. With both teams sitting at 1-1, it could be an early season decider for bowl game eligibility. The Buffs’ Pac-12 schedule doesn’t get much easier, which means a winning non-conference record is crucial.

Despite losing running back Mohamd Ibraham in their season opener, Trey Potts filled in nicely for the Gophers in Week 2 as they extended their non-conference win streak to 20 against Miami of Ohio. But the Gophers haven’t played at Folsom yet. Second-year head coach Karl Dorrell oversees a Buffaloes team that has allowed just 17 points in two games. Offensively, we’ve seen sparks of greatness from QB Brendon Lewis, but consistency will be key for his offense on Saturday.

Below are five reasons why I believe the Buffs will be 2-1.