Texas’ 17-point 4th quarter dooms Michigan Football in Citrus Bowl

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Texas’ 17-point 4th quarter dooms Michigan Football in Citrus Bowl
Oct 25, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; A view of the line of scrimmage during the first half of game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

After a fun three quarters, the fourth quarter of the Citrus Bowl was a disaster for the Michigan Wolverines. Losing by four points heading into the final 15 minutes of the game, the Texas Longhorns put the foot on the gas pedal to score 17 points and take full control of the game.

Here’s how it all went down.

First Quarter

Arch Manning and the Texas offense began the game with the ball and got rolling pretty quickly. A 3rd-and-10 conversion for 22 yards from Manning to wide receiver Ryan Wingo then set up a 22-yard gain for third-string running back Christian Clark. But the Longhorns’ drive stalled out thanks to a nice tackle for loss on second down from Tre Williams and an incomplete pass from Manning on third down. Mason Shipley hit the 43-yard field goal to put the first points of the game on the board. Texas 3, Michigan 0

The Wolverines’ first two plays were successful, as Bryce Underwood found Andrew Marsh for eight yards and then Donaven McCulley for 19 yards. But things went downhill after that with an incomplete pass, a false start, and two straight negative plays to force Michigan to punt.

A three-and-out gave Michigan the ball back, and after getting into Texas territory, the Wolverines were forced to kick a field goal from 53 yards out. Dominic Zvada converted with ease to tie the game. Michigan 3, Texas 3

Linebacker Cole Sullivan forced Texas return man Ryan Niblett to fumble the ensuing kickoff, giving Michigan excellent field position at the 23 yard line. Just three plays later on 3rd-and-6, Underwood threw to wide receiver Kendrick Bell, who made an incredible effort to keep a foot inbounds for the touchdown. Michigan 10, Texas 3

The Longhorns were driving and got to the Michigan 27 yard line as the first quarter came to an end.

End of Q1: Michigan 10, Texas 3

Second Quarter

After a fourth-down conversion on a 19-yard run from Manning, Clark took it in from three yards out for the Longhorns to tie the game. Michigan 10, Texas 10

The ensuing Michigan drive was all Underwood. After a first-down 11-yard run to start the drive and a nine-yard strike to Marlin Klein to pick up another first down, Underwood ran for nine yards and 33 yards on the next two plays. The freshman quarterback then hit fellow freshman Andrew Marsh for a four-yard touchdown. Michigan 17, Texas 0

The Longhorns immediately responded, going on an eight-play, 74-yard drive that took just 2:31 off the game clock. Manning found tight end Jack Endries wide open in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown. Michigan 17, Texas 17

After a McCulley drop, a tackle for loss on running back Bryson Kuzdzal and an incomplete pass, Michigan was forced to punt again. Texas picked up one first down, but eventually had to punt the ball back to the Wolverines, who then proceeded to go three-and-out and punt it right back to the Longhorns. Texas managed to get all the way down to the Michigan 21 yard line before a 22-yard loss following a snap that Manning wasn’t ready for.

Texas punted and the Wolverines opted to try and get on the board once more before halftime. A Kuzdzal 10-yard run and a Klein 20-yard catch got things started, another quick chain-mover to Klein and a nine-yard Kuzdzal run gave Zvada a chance, but he missed the 45-yard field goal to keep the score tied after 30 minutes of action.

HALFTIME: Michigan 17, Texas 17

Third Quarter

Marsh returned the opening kick 43 yards to give Michigan solid field position to start the second half. After converting one 4th-and-1 with a Kuzdzal run earlier in the drive, interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula opted to go for it again on 4th-and-1 and converted yet again on a Kuzdzal run. But after a drop in the end zone by Klein on third down, Zvada hit a 31-yard field goal to put Michigan back on top. Michigan 20, Texas 17

After a questionable roughing the passer call on Manning, Zeke Berry was flagged for pass interference in the end zone to set up a Manning 23-yard touchdown run to put the Longhorns in front. Texas 24, Michigan 20

Marsh had another fantastic kick return, going 51 yards all the way to the Texas 38. Michigan had a prime opportunity to at least try a field goal, but Underwood threw an interception on 3rd-and-18 near the end zone. Thankfully, Texas went three-and-out, and Marsh returned the punt to the Longhorns’ 45 yard line to once again give Michigan good field position. The Wolverines faced a 4th-and-2 heading into the end-of-quarter break.

End of Q3: Texas 24, Michigan 20

Fourth Quarter

Coming out of the timeout, Underwood converted the fourth down on a pass to running back Micah Ka’apana. Facing yet another fourth down, Casula rolled the dice and Michigan converted once again on a Kuzdzal run. A 12-yard catch by McCulley set up the goal-to-go for the Wolverines, and Underwood ran in the score two plays later. Michigan 27, Texas 24

Texas wasn’t going down without a fight. Manning scrambled for 15 yards on 4th-and-2 — avoiding a sack in the process — to keep the Longhorns’ offense on the field. A first-down run by Clark on the next play inched Texas closer to the red zone. A couple plays later, Texas retook the lead following a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manning to wide receiver Kaliq Lockett. Texas 31, Michigan 27

With the Wolverines desperately needing a touchdown, Underwood threw another interception on third down. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Manning took it 60 yards to the house to ice the game. Texas 38, Michigan 27

Underwood threw yet another pick on the second play of the next drive to eventually set up a Texas field goal to extend its lead. Texas 41, Michigan 27

Final Score: Texas 41, Michigan 27

Michigan Stat Leaders

  • QB Bryce Underwood: 23-of-42 for 199 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs; 13 carries for 77 yards and 1 TD
  • RB Bryson Kuzdzal: 20 carries for 82 yards
  • WR Andrew Marsh: 3 catches for 10 yards and 1 TD
  • WR Donaven McCulley: 4 catches for 54 yards
  • WR Kendrick Bell: 2 catches for 24 yards and 1 TD
  • TE Marlin Klein: 4 catches for 49 yards
  • DB TJ Metcalf: 7 tackles, 1 pass breakup
  • LB Cole Sullivan, 7 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble recovery

Texas Stat Leaders

  • QB Arch Manning: 21-of-34 for 221 yards and 2 TDs; 9 carries for 155 yards and 2 TDs
  • RB Christian Clark: 20 carries for 105 yards and 1 TD
  • WR Ryan Wingo: 4 catches for 64 yards
  • TE Jack Endries: 5 catches for 35 yards and 1 TD
  • Edge Colin Simmons: 2 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
  • LB Ty’Anthony Smith: 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 INTs, 1 QB hit

The Kyle Whittingham era of Michigan football will kickoff the 2026 season in 248 days at the Big House against Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 5.

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