Three takeaways from the Buffs' loss to Utah

BOULDER – Colorado has been defeated.

After a Cinderella start to the 2020 season, the Colorado Buffaloes lost to Utah on Saturday. The Buffs fell 38-21, and their record fell to 4-1 on the season.

Barring a late Pac-12 cancellation on Saturday, the Buffs’ next contest will come next Saturday, when they take on a team to be determined by the Pac-12.

Here’s what we learned on Saturday.

Nate Landman is really, really good

When Landman was knocked out of the game with a lower leg injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, the Buffs could not replace him.

Carson Wells made came up with a sack on the play after Landman was injured and the Buffs’ defense was able to get off the field. After that, things got ugly.

Running lanes opened up. Mistakes were made in coverage. In general, Colorado just couldn’t stop Utah.

Utah outscored Colorado 28-7 after Landman left the game. Freshman running back Ty Jordan picked up the bulk of his 166 yards.

If you needed a final piece of evidence to solidify just how valuable Nate Landman is, you got it on Saturday.

And don’t forget: only one Buffalo finished the game with more solo tackles than Landman, despite his absence for more than half of the game.

The Buffs have a quarterback… but he isn’t a finished product

Sam Noyer threw another inteception. He saw Brenden Rice coming open after he crossed the middle of the field, but didn’t see the linebacker near the sideline that was lurking, waiting for the throw to be made.

That’s five interceptions in five games this season.

Across college football, 48 teams came into this weekend averaging at least one interception thrown per game. That puts Colorado in the bottom 38 percent of FBS teams this season. Considering only 22 percent of teams have thrown the ball less per game this season, it’s clear that Noyer needs to be better.

But Noyer also threw at least three balls that few college quarterbacks are capable of, and one that most NFL gunslingers would have botched.

Sam Noyer is spinning it

pic.twitter.com/RHQTn35ARN

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 12, 2020

Noyer’s upside is clear but he still needs some polish.

If Karl Dorrell and his staff can get him to take a step over the offseason, his rocket arm could take over the Pac-12 next season.

The young receivers can play ball

Darrin Chiaverini’s wide receivers room is backlogged. The Buffs completed 18 passes on Saturday and they were to eight different receivers.

Sophomore Maurice Bell led the way with four grabs, and he picked up 46 yards and a touchdown.

K.D. Nixon and La’Vontae Shenault each caught three balls four 52 yards, and both made splashes with big time catches on deep balls.

Wow, what a catch La'Vontae Shenault pic.twitter.com/hMrOyaiWsT

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) December 12, 2020

True freshman Brenden Rice made his presence felt again on Saturday, this time posting two touchdowns, one on a screen pass and the other on a punt return.

Jerry Rice's son Brenden became the first Colorado player in over 25 years to score both a punt return and receiving TD in the same game.

Like father, like son @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/IA64GkSd7z

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2020

It wasn’t all pretty for the receivers though, as numerous receivers dropped passes. But with only one senior on the roster, the future looks bright for the Buffs’ receivers.