Movie Overview: DC Corey Hetherman vs. Penn State, 11/23

The Miami Hurricanes have their defensive coordinator and it’s Corey Hetherman. Hetherman involves Miami from the College of Minnesota the place he guided the Golden Gophers protection for one season in 2024.

Whereas at Minny, Hetherman improved the Gophers protection from thirty first in SP+ protection in 2023 to tenth in ‘24. Invoice Connelly’s SP+ additionally predicted the Minnesota protection to complete twenty second in his pre-season metrics with Hetherman outperforming that as effectively.

The Gophers improved drastically from ‘23 to ‘24 shifting from 63rd total in SP+ to twenty sixth. A ~40 level leap in SP+ offense didn’t harm PJ Fleck’s squad this previous season.

This season The Gophers protection allowed 16.9 PPG which was good for ninth of 134 groups in FBS. In ‘23, the PJ Fleck’s protection allowed 26.7 PPG which put them at seventieth of 133 FBS packages.

Previous to Minnesota, Hetherman hung out because the linebacker coach at Rutgers beneath Greg Schiano and the defensive coordinator at JMU (they have been nonetheless FCS) beneath Curt Cignetti. Hetherman is definitely parlaying off of his stable season with the Gophers as he solely has one yr of expertise as a Energy 4 DC.

And that’s the danger here- very similar to former ‘Canes DC Lance Guidry, Hetherman has restricted expertise in sport planning towards packages which have an in depth grouping of analysts breaking down each snap of movie like Notre Dame and Clemson can have.

The potential right here nonetheless could be very excessive. He instantly improved the Gophers protection, was rewarded an extension from Fleck, and he’s effectively regarded in teaching circles as a get up man and exhausting working coach.

The Movie

We’re going to make use of the Penn State vs. Minnesota sport from the 2024 season. PSU gained the sport 26-25, however holding a School Soccer Playoff caliber offense to 26 factors is stable.

Hetherman’s protection held PSU to 1-of-11 on third down however did hand over 3-of-4 on 4th down. Minnesota didn’t register a turnover which shall be robust down at Miami the place the ‘Canes actually need to extend their takeaways.

Hetherman likes to blitz, however the Gophers solely received to QB Drew Allar twice, nonetheless they did decide up seven tackles for loss towards a robust offensive line with two exhausting to convey down operating backs. Solely selecting up one PBU vs. Allar leaves quite a bit to be desired as effectively.

In opposition to Minny, Allar averaged 8.7 yards per throw with one landing go. On the bottom, Allar scored one TD whereas Nicholas Singleton scored the opposite. Singleton averaged 4.8 yards per carry whereas Kaytron Allen was held to 1.4 per rush.

Allar related with 5 receivers vs. the Gophers with three coming at double-digit yards per reception.

Above– PSU traces up in 22 personnel (two backs, two tight ends) and Minny works right into a 5 man entrance with three linebackers within the field.

Above– On a tricky third and inches towards that look the Gophers cease PSU’s protection. That is the way you maintain a staff to beneath 10% on third down with stable matches, block destruction and ending the sort out.

Above– QB Draw on 3rrd and 11 and Minny misses two tackles on Allar. Allar isn’t precisely Lamar Jackson or Tim Tebow however the Gophers struggled to complete him to the bottom.

Above– On 4th down the Gophers received to Allar with the entrance 4. As a result of they may drop seven the PSU receivers have been coated and the 2nd effort rush received dwelling.

Above– Search for prime: two Gophers defenders are overlaying one motioning ‘menace.’ That shall be exploited later within the sport for a TD.

Above– And right here it is- PSU will get “highschool open” right here from a easy “over” route. In case you look to the highest two defenders are in the identical tube once more for Minny and each are overlaying NO ONE.

Above– They movement their WR open once more however this time Allar’s throw could be very poor and Minnesota will get the cease.

Above– It’s a 4-3 look however Minnesota twists the DT and NT. It leaves the A-Hole vast open and Allar scrambles. All three linebackers drop however the MLB drops right into a 45 as an alternative of sitting and each the QB and the WR that crosses are open.

Above– TOSS! One other protection that may’t get to the perimeter? Nice blocking from PSU on the skin and Minny’s defenders block themselves for the first down. Zero block destruction for the Gophers.

Above– The DL will get dominated earlier than three missed tackles result in a Penn State TD.

Above– On third and 10 Minnesota performs man with out a change name and it really works towards Warren for a PBU. That’s a tricky name and play for the DB’s there.

The Wrap

There are a variety of positives with the Hetherman rent at Miami. He’s younger, a quick riser, and related to Schiano and Cignetti in addition to Fleck (take his act or depart it, he can coach ball). He’s performed QB, and has coached LB and DL, whereas serving as an OC and a recruiting coordinator prior to now.

The negatives are that he solely has one yr of expertise calling a P4 protection. The ACC faculties will get ahold of all of the Minnesota movie they will and begin analyzing it ASAP. He’s going to should get used to being uber-analyzed by his opponents and make changes, one thing Guidry did not do at Miami.

One other adverse I noticed was poor tackling. They missed 20+ tackles towards Omarion Hampton and UNC to begin the season, and bounced off of Allar and Singleton as effectively. Miami can’t afford one other DC that can’t educate correct monitoring and tackling.

Prediction: Miami will enhance from within the 40’s in SP+ protection. Will the ‘Canes climb to the teenagers? The jury continues to be out.