Nate Landman – Page 4 – Syndication Server

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.

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.

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.

“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.