MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tony Gibson’s glowing preseason assessment of West Virginia’s defense was outlined by many functional components. Nick Kwiatkoski was his plug-and-play linebacker, Daryl Worley his top cover corner, and Karl Joseph everybody’s All-American. Jared Barber served as his coach in the middle, Noble Nwachukwu a rising enforcer on the edge and KJ Dillon a sustainable power source to light the entire grid.
After 11 games, two shutouts and nearly two more, Gibson’s unit ranks No. 2 among Big 12 defenses in points and yards surrendered. And his surprise standout wasn’t named in the paragraph above.