On the final day of the year, the Longhorns looked to close an up-and-down season with a win over Michigan. After stumbling out of the gate, Texas found its rhythm as the season progressed, fueled by the development of quarterback Arch Manning. On Wednesday, the Longhorns needed more Manning magic while playing without nine starters in the bowl game. Against the 18th-ranked Wolverines, Manning delivered, accounting for four total touchdowns in Texas’ 41–27 win in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
First Half Struggles
The teams entered halftime tied at 17–17. Despite missing several key contributors, Texas had opportunities to take control but failed to capitalize. Drops and misfires stalled drives on offense, while defensive breakdowns allowed Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood to throw two touchdown passes. Underwood had totaled only nine passing touchdowns all season.
In Texas’ last real possession of the half, the Longhorns suffered two critical dropped passes, followed by an errant snap that pushed the team out of field goal range. It seemed like the team squandered a real opportunity to get ahead early, but the tide would change in the second half.
So what changed? Turnovers – and Arch Manning taking over the game.
Both teams opened the second half by trading rushing touchdowns from their quarterbacks. The turning point came with 6:54 remaining in the contest, when Manning fired a perfectly placed 30-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Kaliq Lockett. The score marked Manning’s second passing touchdown of the game and gave Texas a 31–27 lead.
Five plays later, linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith intercepted Underwood, swinging momentum firmly in Texas’ favor. On the very next play, Manning broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run up the middle to extend the lead to 38–27. Smith wasn’t finished. He intercepted Underwood once again later in the quarter, setting up a Longhorns field goal that sealed the 41–27 victory.
Overall, Manning totaled 221 passing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 156 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. On the other sideline, Bryce Underwood’s hot start cooled, as the freshman quarterback finished with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
One of the game’s biggest surprises came from the Texas backfield. Redshirt freshman running back Christian Clark delivered an impressive performance. With both Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter opting out after entering the transfer portal, the running back position entered the game as a question mark. Clark answered it, finishing with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. While the Longhorns’ plans at the position remain uncertain, Clark made a strong case for a larger role moving forward.
An Up-and-Down Season in the Books
Texas didn’t play a perfect game, but the Longhorns rose to the moment when it mattered most. Sound familiar? It should. Aside from early-season losses, that theme defined the 2025 Longhorns. The team failed to meet preseason expectations, but they never stopped competing.
Early in the season, flaws became obvious and likely eliminated any championship hopes. Still, the team’s young core improved steadily and showed up in key rivalry games. That growth offers optimism moving forward.
Now, attention turns to 2026. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his personnel staff must attack the transfer portal aggressively. With stars like Arch Manning and Colin Simmons potentially headed to the NFL after next season, Texas can’t afford to stand pat.
