GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Will Sherman made his first start at left tackle last week against UCLA for a Buffs offensive line that has utilized three different starting lineups in the team’s first four games. Sherman has yet to yield a sack in 177 career snaps. He’s one of two redshirt freshmen cutting their teeth this year in the trenches along with center Colby Pursell as the unit shuffles to find its identity — particularly with veteran lineman Tim Lynott struggling in his return from an Achilles’ injury.
The unit might have to learn to gel on the fly in the face of the Arizona State defensive front. The Sun Devils lead the Pac-12 (third nationally) with 18 sacks and 41 tackles-for-loss. Herm Edwards’ defense boasts five players with multiple sacks, including freshman Merlin Robertson with three quarterback take downs.
“They are going to bring pressure, mix up their front, bring those ‘backers,” Buffs quarterback Steven Montez said of the Arizona State defense.
DRAFT SLANT
–OLB Drew Lewis notched his first two sacks of the season last week against UCLA, giving the senior five for his career. The outside linebacker has 18 tackles on the year, eight coming against the Bruins. Lewis has 125 tackles for his career and will look to eclipse his 94 take-downs from a year ago.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Juwann Winfree remains day-to-day while he recovers from an ankle injury that has sidelined the senior the last two games. Winfree has 55 yards and a touchdown on the year.
–P Alex Kinney is expected to miss at least another two to three weeks with a broken collarbone suffered in Week 2 against Nebraska. Davis Price averaged 41.8 yards per punt with a pair of kicks inside the UCLA 20-yard line last week in place of Kinney.
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