Outside of the final score, new Gophers defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s most-important stat is stopping the run.

Well, Minnesota’s last-ranked rush defense in the Big Ten in 2023 will have a tough test to show immediate improvement in the season opener against North Carolina, and its standout running back Omarion Hampton, on Aug. 29 at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Omarion Hampton #28 of the North Carolina Tar Heels hurdles Marlowe Wax #2 of the Syracuse Orange during the first half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Oct. 07, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

“That will be the No. 1 thing: stop the run,” Hetherman said Monday. “We got to stay ahead of the sticks, and we got to put our defense in capable situations.”

The 6-foot, 220-pound junior was fifth in the nation last year with 1,504 yards on 253 carries (5.9 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns en route to being a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s best tailback.

“He is an electric player,” Hetherman said. “He makes a lot of big plays. We got to be ready to contain and control him up front.”

Minnesota gave up a Big-Ten worst 165.9 rushing yards across nine league games last season. To end 2023, the U gave up 353 yards at Purdue, 215 at Ohio State and 267 versus Wisconsin.

Hetherman replaced Joe Rossi, who left for the same job at Michigan State. Under Rossi a year ago, the Gophers held Hampton to 3.5 yards per carry (46 total on 13 rushes and one touchdown) in the Tar Heels’ 31-13 win in Chapel Hill last September.

However, UNC quarterback Drake Maye threw for 414 yards in the blowout, but he was the third overall pick by New England in the NFL draft.

The Tar Heels haven’t named a starting quarterback this camp, but Max Johnson, the son of former Vikings QB Brad Johnson, is believed to have an edge over Conner Harrell. Hetherman said they are preparing to play against both QBs next Thursday.

UNC is believed to have other talented tailbacks in the mix but is in transition up front with only one returning offensive lineman. What they lack in cohesion and experience, they make up for in bigger frames compared to last season’s group.

Hampton remains the key litmus test for Hetherman’s defense. He led the nation with 1,072 yards after contact last season, according to Pro Football Focus, while the U defense got progressively worse the 2023 season played out.

Position battles

The Gophers has held more scrimmages and live sessions this preseason than in year’s past as the program has worked to iron out its final position battles for starting spots.

“We had more competition this year in 2024 than we have had since I’ve been the head coach here at Minnesota,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “That is a credit to our staff, recruiting, players, the way they have taken on this whole year.”

Fleck said a handful of positions will have players splitting time. He mentioned rotations along the defensive line, possibly at some positions along the offensive line as well as receiver and tight end. Safety is also expected to be another spot with multiple players getting time to start the season.

No update

As expected, Fleck did not share an injury update on running back Darius Taylor or Daniel Jackson, pointing to the availability report that will come out two hours before kickoff. This is his stock response on injuries during the season.

Reporters watched their final practice last Tuesday, when Taylor injured his leg and Jackson remained out with an undisclosed issue.

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