LINCOLN — Though its defense was viewed as the weaker of its two units, Central Florida’s speed, athleticism, aggression and instincts in a 34-27 Peach Bowl win over Auburn were a stark contrast to, well, just about everything in Nebraska’s defense in 2017.
By season’s end, when Luke Gifford was officially out with a hip injury, the Blackshirts were broken in spirit — the bizarre final month of Bob Diaco’s tenure as defensive coordinator ensured that — but there were warning signs in terms of ability for much of the season.
Three local three-star recruits — Gifford, Mick Stoltenberg and Ben Stille — were the most consistent or, in Stille’s case, the most surprising.