Omarion Hampton Conquers Miami’s Top-Ranked Run Defense

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Omarion Hampton’s teammates sometimes joke with him when he gets caught by the defense after big runs.

They did so after his 60-yard run in the fourth quarter of North Carolina’s 41-31 win against Miami on Saturday, as he sprinted through the offensive line and got all the way down to Miami’s 10-yard line before a pair of Hurricane defenders brought him down from behind.

“Big O, he was mad,” Drake Maye said. “He said he got hawked.”

But tackling Hampton head-on proves to be a challenge for defenders at times. The 197 yards he amassed on 24 carries on Saturday were produced through his bruising style of running, often requiring multiple defenders to bring him to the turf.

Hampton has functioned as UNC’s workhorse back halfway through the season. He’s taken at least 15 carries in five of the team’s first six games. On Saturday, along with his 24 gets, he added a touchdown reception — his first of the season.

He is the team’s leader in total touchdowns with nine scores.

“He’s just a dog, straightforward,” Alijah Huzzie said. “Runs hard. Probably one of the hardest backs to tackle from my point of view. I’ve tried to tackle him before, so I know what (other defenses) go through.”

Speaking for himself, Huzzie said there isn’t an adequate strategy to stopping Hampton in the open field.

“Just get him down, any way you can,” Huzzie said.

Miami entered the game as the No. 1 run defense in the FBS, and the Hurricanes never allowed more than 100 yards rushing against any of the teams they had faced. But Hampton found success behind UNC’s offensive line and took advantage of the lanes the unit provided.

“It was tough to bring down 28,” Maye said. “We call him ‘hammer head.’ He’ll go in there and he’ll run you over. He’s breaking tackles better than he did last year. He’s seeing better.”

Hampton got out to a hot start last season with two 100-yard performances in the first three games. His production reduced from that point, however, as he gradually saw fewer carries.

But Hampton has been a key part of UNC’s game plan this season, evidenced by his 122 touches six games into the season. Improving his vision was a point of emphasis for him and the rest of the offensive staff heading into Hampton’s sophomore season.

“From a preparation standpoint, to a practice standpoint, every single day, he’s been locked in and focused,” running backs coach Larry Porter said in August. “And you can see that throughout his play and the way that he practices. So I think with that, he’s been more productive as well.”

Hampton’s efficiency on the ground eventually opened things up in the passing game for UNC. His 76 first-half yards kept the Miami defense honest up front, and from there, Maye began to find a rhythm against the Hurricanes.

“We wanted to not stay married to anything, but try to find a balance and I think it definitely did,” Maye said. “They were forced to play man on us.”

Mack Brown felt that Hampton could’ve eclipsed the 200-yard mark had UNC not picked up as many holding penalties as it did. He added that giving Hampton more touches could’ve raised his stats as well.

But North Carolina got its fair share of usage from Hampton on Saturday, and will continue to feed him throughout the year.

“Proud of the rushing game,” Brown said. “Rushed for over 200 yards against a defense that had not given up 100. And Omarion Hampton is really a special player.”