First, here’s how UNC’s night went against Virginia Tech:

Now let’s dig in with a focus on the defense.

A Dominant Defense

One of the questions for the Hokie defense was how it would use nickel Chamarri Conner (#25): would it be more as a linebacker in a pseudo-4-3 look, or would he play more as a man-coverage DB? UNC might’ve had a similar question, as they motioned their best receiver, slot Josh Downs (#11), from boundary to field on their very first offensive snap. Conner followed Downs, and for most of the night the Hokie was positioned over the dangerous slot. The Hokies used multiple coverages, though, sometimes manning Conner, and other times zoning and passing Downs off to the safeties. Here’s a look at the latter:

The Hokies are running split-field coverage: soft Cover-2 to the boundary, and a bracket on Downs to the field with Conner and Keonta Jenkins (#33.) JHam and Co. were clearly worried about the slot receiver. Watch Jenkins’ eyes shift to Downs at the snap. That’s not zone—Jenkins has flipped his hips completely from the play. If Downs gets vertical, Jenkins is going to match him. Conner passes Downs off on the route, but if the receiver had broken outside, the Hokie nickel would’ve had him in tight coverage. 

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