The bottom fell out of Gophers’ defense in 2023 and that jarring thump contributed to a 6-7 record, so its ability to bounce back under new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman represented one of the most-pressing questions going into this season.

So far, so stifling.

After North Carolina was held to 252 yards and only one touchdown in the U’s 19-17 loss in the season opener, Minnesota has procured two straight shutouts: a 27-0 win over Nevada on Saturday followed a 48-0 suffocation of FCS-level Rhode Island a week ago.

It’s the Gophers’ first back-to-back shutouts since 1962.

Minnesota (2-1) was a 17-point betting favorite Saturday and used three interceptions and four sacks to frustrate the Wolf Pack. Nevada (1-3) was picked to finish last in the Mountain West Conference this season and was held to 172 yards on Saturday.

The Gophers have incorporated a heavy blitzing style under Hetherman.

“I don’t know how much more aggressive we can get,” nickel back and regular blitzer Jack Henderson said on KFXN-FM after contributing 1 1/2 sacks Saturday.

While aggressive, the U defense has become more disciplined and fundamental in recent weeks. Minnesota missed 22 tackles in the North Carolina loss, but those have been cut down significantly. They were able to do so against a Nevada team that can vary wildly from five-wide receiver to three-running back formations.

“I’m proud of — that’s a tough team to prepare for because your eyes have to be everywhere because they have every type of option instilled in their offense, gadgets, gizmos, motions, shifts,” coach P.J. Fleck said.

While the U defense allowed one play over 25 yards Saturday, Gophers running back Darius Taylor produced the most electric play of the game in the third quarter. He broke tackles in the box, bounced it to the outside and then cut it all the way back to the other sideline on an 80-yard touchdown run.

Taylor’s run tied for the sixth-longest rush in program history, joining two gallops from Laurence Maroney in the 2004 season. On Saturday, the sophomore finished with 124 yards on 11 carries.

Kerry Brown, a second-year safety, produced his first two collegiate interceptions, and Minnesota scored 10 points off the pair of takeaways.

Brown’s second pick came on a great read of Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis’ eyes in the first half. He stepped in front of a post route to pick it off and return it 16 yards.

Two plays later, Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer threw underneath to Taylor, who made a Nevada defender miss and scored from 10 yards out to make it 13-0. Brosmer finished 16-for-26 for 191 yards with one touchdown and one interceptions.

The Gophers offense got the ball back at its own 32-yard line with 1:55 left in the second half. With seven straight drop backs, including a 22-yard completion to Jameson Geers, the U was in position for Taylor to score a rushing touchdown from 4 yards out for a 20-0 lead at the half.

“It turned the game all the way,” Brown said. “Me having that (second) pick, giving the D-line all the credit because without them I wouldn’t have made that pick. Being able to do that for our offense helped us execute.”

With the U defense playing lights out, the game was pretty much out of reach at the halfway point.