The Texas Longhorns did not have an impressive first half against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night, at least not on offense. Texas scored just seven points with quarterback Arch Manning completing 7 of 10 passes for 70 yards. It wasn't a bad start, but it didn't blow anybody away.

The Texas defense wasn't perfect by any stretch, but it made some impressive highlights. Anthony Hill Jr. was perhaps the highlight of the night defensively with an impressive extension on an interception.

Hill started where linebackers typically might start when expecting the pass and then worked his way outside toward the sideline. Working with a shuffle step, Hill got to the receiver's intended destination before he did.

Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley hurled a high pass toward the sideline, difficult for even a seasoned receiver to reach up and catch. The ball was so high it brought Hill to the ground from losing balance. Even so, the star linebacker effortlessly reached high and to his side to pull down the pass cleanly and give Texas possession. The play put Texas in position to score and took away Kentucky's bid for a drive extending play.

Hill was not the only one with good defensive highlights. On a first-half run, Texas edge Colin Simmons quickly closed the gap to knock Cutter Boley to the ground with force.

The Texas defense has been an asset through seven games. It came through in the early going against Kentucky. That the Longhorns could follow a six-point shutdown of the rival Oklahoma Sooners with a first-half shutout of Kentucky speaks to the level of focus and consistency the team has on the defensive side.

Save for a blip against Florida, the defense has dominated. The Florida loss could be as simple as Texas just missing an injured cornerback in Malik Muhammad.

The Texas Longhorns have a championship defense. Whether from the range of Anthony Hill and Colin Simmons, the shoestring tackles of fellow edge Ethan Burke, the ball-hawking of Muhammad and Texas safety Michael Taafe, or the stout play on the defensive interior, the Longhorns are fortified with skill and talent at every level of the defense.

Hill and Co. will look to continue their strong play as their SEC schedule intensifies. The Longhorns will take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs and former Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby when they next take the field.