Much has been said and written of Texas' opening performance at the Strong Theatre in Austin this past weekend. The critics seemed to agree that the Longhorn's defensive troupe stole the show, while the offensive cast received mixed reviews.

Offensive standout John Harris and his virtuosic performance of 7 for 9 catches for 110 yards received the most rave; while Jaxon Shipley, who was 6 for 6 for 43 yards, went virtually unnoticed in praise and print.

Defensively, it was a magnificent ballet of violence – synchronized slaughter, if you will – with extraordinary performances by… virtually the entire cast.

The defensive line was expected to be the bright spot of the group; but their showing amazed even the harshest critics.

Plagued by injuries, ineptitude, and confusion the past two seasons, it was hoped that the linebackers would be improved under new director, Charlie Strong. Well, they were-- what’s the word for "improved by 1000 percent?"

The weakest link lay in the secondary: pitiful past performances, woeful inexperience, loss of players all attributed to audience members praying that the secondary would enter and exit the stage as quickly and infrequently as possible. But, no, there they were shining as brightly in the spotlight as the rest of the defense!

As stupefying as the front four were, the front seven were even better; and the addition of the back four made this performance a masterpiece. The entire cast was choreographed to near perfection: our linemen pushed their linemen around like prison guards in a chain gang; which allowed the linebackers to speed read the plays and quickly destroy the gaps; which allowed the secondary to close down the rest of the field and assault any pedestrians. And may I mention the sweet harmony that was produced during the plethora of blitzes? 94 total yards… 3 third down conversions… 3 completed passes… 4 interceptions… Synchronized slaughter, indeed.

All because the players were well directed and rehearsed. They knew their parts and cues, and hit their marks with authority and ease most every time.

Throughout the production there were plenty of cheers from the audience, but not the wild, spontaneous eruptions of an 1880’s saloon stage show that this performance merited. As a critic of Longhorn football for eight lustrum, my hesitation to howl like a rabid wolf was likely due to recent past disappointments from broken promises. Oh, I was excited about Charlie Strong and Company from the beginning and expected great improvement. But, this? And this quickly? Sadly, my anticipation of the inevitable miscue kept my emotions in check. It wasn’t until a second, then third viewing of the performance that I became eligible to be reported as a disturbance by my neighbors – from the next block over.

It may have only been an off-Broadway production but, from where this critic sits, (until my wife shows up with the bail money) this defensive cast is ready for the big-time.