DALLAS -- One play in a 41-14 win against Oklahoma State illustrated how the Texas defense has come together as a dominant unit.

Staring down a 10-0 deficit, Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson forced the ball into coverage. Defensive back Curtis Brown, a junior who had been a high school receiver before switching to cornerback, stepped in front of the pass and raced 77 yards. At the end, the teammate who threw the final block on Robinson after racing down the field was defensive end Sergio Kindle, an All-America candidate.

For Texas this season, all the parts fit.

"Everybody has done something that has caused an interception, or put pressure on the quarterback, or covering up one receiver so he has to throw it to another receiver," senior linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy said. "It all ties together, and we celebrate as a defense when we make plays like that. We're having a lot of fun, on the field, on the sidelines, in practice.

"We just come together and take it all in, one step at a time and enjoy the ride, really."

Coach Mack Brown said the defense is playing at a championship level, something backed by the numbers.

Heading into Saturday's game with Central Florida, Texas is ranked first nationally in rushing defense and third-down conversion defense, and third in total yards. No opponent this season has equaled its season scoring average. About 42 percent of the opponents' drives have ended in three plays or fewer.

By taking away the run and making opponents one-dimensional, Texas has created a breeding ground for turnovers.

While the defense may have prevented its share of big plays in 2008, it didn't make many, at least when it came to interceptions and fumble recoveries. A year's worth of experience and familiarity with defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's system has resulted in the confidence to force mistakes. The 26 turnovers gained places Texas in a tie for second nationally, 10 more than the total for 2008.

"I think that's what makes the special players special is they have the innate ability to make a play in different circumstances, different routes, different pattern matches and have the knack to be able to get their hands on balls," Muschamp said. "That's what our guys have been able to do this year."

Mack Brown more than once has pointed to the irony of Curtis Brown, Blake Gideon and Earl Thomas all contributing interceptions against Oklahoma State, after becoming the handy public scapegoats for the Texas Tech loss last season. Teammates noticed, too.

"They might look small, but they've got a heart bigger than a giant," Kindle said.

Mack Brown refrained from calling this group of defensive backs the best he's coached at Texas, with good reason. The 2005 national champions featured six secondary members who have played in the NFL.

This could be the best group of the Brown era at turning mistakes into touchdowns, currently three and counting this season.

"It's unusual to have a defense that scores like our defense is scoring," the coach said. "It's fun. It's exciting."