Arch Manning's best performance pushes Texas to Citrus Bowl win over Michigan

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Arch Manning's best performance pushes Texas to Citrus Bowl win over Michigan

Arch Manning's best performance pushes Texas to Citrus Bowl win over Michigan originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Texas delivered a statement performance on New Year’s Eve, riding a career night from Arch Manning to a 41-27 win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl.

Manning, the former No. 1 overall recruit, put together arguably the best game of his young career to lead the Texas Longhorns to a signature postseason victory. The sophomore quarterback threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, while adding 155 rushing yards and two more scores. His final touchdown — a 60-yard run up the middle with 5:06 remaining — served as the exclamation point on a dominant second half.

Texas and Michigan traded punches early, entering halftime tied at 17-all. The game flipped after the break, as the Longhorns’ defense turned relentless pressure into mistakes. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top-rated freshman, threw three interceptions over a four-drive span as Texas seized control.

Underwood flashed his considerable upside, finishing 23 of 42 for 199 yards with two touchdowns, but the constant harassment limited Michigan to fewer than 400 total yards. Texas capitalized on short fields and steadily pulled away, scoring 24 points in the final two quarters.

The win lifted Texas to 10-3, marking its third consecutive 10-win season. Though the Longhorns were left out of this year’s College Football Playoff, the emphatic nature of the victory sent a clear message about the program’s trajectory heading into 2026.

For Michigan, the loss closed a turbulent season at 9-4 and opened a new chapter. New coach Kyle Whittingham was on hand in Orlando, already beginning the transition following the firing of Sherrone Moore. With Underwood expected back, the Wolverines hope the growing pains of Tuesday night fuel a quick turnaround.

As for Manning, the offseason spotlight now follows him. After entering the year as a preseason Heisman favorite, performances like this ensure his name will again dominate the conversation.

Final stats 

Citrus Bowl- FinalMichiganTexas
1st Downs1924
3rd down efficiency4-173-11
4th down efficiency5-62-2
Total Yards373456
Passing199221
Comp/Att23/4321/34
Yards per pass4.66.5
Interceptions thrown30
Rushing174235
Rushing Attempts3833
Yards per rush4.67.1
Penalties9-9512-103
Turnovers31
Fumbles lost01
Interceptions thrown30
Possession33:0826:52

Citrus Bowl Final Score: Texas 41, Michigan 27

Highlights and game feed

1:09, 4th Qtr: Bryce Underwood sacked for loss of 4 yards to the Texas 31 (#19 Z.Umeozulu), fumble recovered by Texas #93 H.Kanu at Texas31 #93 H.Kanu return 31 yards to Mich 38. The call was overturned after review. 

3:41, 4th Qtr: Mason Shipley field goal attempt from 51 yards GOOD 

4:40, 4th Qtr: Bryce Underwood pass intercepted by Ty'Anthony Smith to the Mich 34. A third pick for Texas in the game. 

5:05, 4th Qtr: Spencer Barnett kickoff 54 yards to the Mich 11 #10 Kendrick Bell return 11 yards to the Mich 22. 

5:13, 4th Qtr:  Arch Manning 60-yard TOUCHDOWN run. What a call up the middle for the Longhorns. 

5:20, 4th Qtr: Bryce Underwood pass intercepted by Ty'Anthony Smith to the Mich 45. PENALTY Texas UNR: Unnecessary Roughness (#93 H.Kanu) 15 yards from Mich 45 to Texas 40

6:47, 4th Qtr: Spencer Barnett kickoff 60 yards to the Mich 5 Andrew Marsh return 31 yards to the Mich 36. Good field position for Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense. 

6:58, 4th Qtr: Arch Manning pass complete deep right to Kaliq Lockett TOUCHDOWN. The Longhorns retake the lead. 

8:52, 4th Qtr: Arch Manning rush for 15-yard gain to the Mich 39 1ST DOWN. A nice conversion for the Longhorns. 

9:42, 4th Qtr: Arch Manning rush left for 8-yard gain to the Texas 46. A fourth down and two situation for the Longhorns.

10:18, 4th Qtr: Arch Manning pass complete to Parker Livingstone to the Texas 38

10:56, 4th Qtr: Beckham Sunderland kickoff 65 yards for Touchback. Arch Manning and Texas will start at own 25. 

Was Bryce Underwood's touchdown really a touchback? 

11:02, 4th Qtr Bryce Underwood rush for 5 yards TOUCHDOWN. The previous play is under automatic review. After review, the call is upheld. 

11:52, 4th Qtr Bryce Underwood pass complete to #1 Donaven McCulley to the Texas 5 1ST DOWN

12:20, 4th Qtr: Bryson Kuzdzal rush for 2-yard gain to the Texas 17 another key FIRST DOWN

12:39, 4th Qtr: Bryce Underwood pass complete to Donaven McCulley to the Texas 19

14:48, 4th Qtr: Bryce Underwood pass complete to Micah Ka'apana to the Texas 28 1ST DOWN Michigan faces a 4th down and two to start to quarter after the clock expired

End of 3rd Quarter

0:34, 3rd Qtr: Michigan Delay Of Game 5 yards from Texas 43 to Texas 48. NO PLAY

1:24, 3rd Qtr: Jack Bouwmeester punt 43 yards to the Mich 45 to Andrew Marsh return 10 yards to the Texas 45.

2:01, 3rd Qtr: Christian Clark rush for 1 yard loss to the Texas 12. A huge third down stop by Jaden Mangham. Michigan pull out a stop after the Underwood pick.

2:48, 3rd Qtr: Bryce Underwood pass INTERCEPTION by #27 Wardell Mack at Texas 7 PENALTY Texas Illegal Block in Back 3 yards from Texas07 to Texas 4. Big turnover for the Longhorns. 

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3:22, 3rd Qtr: Bryce Underwood rush for 5 yards gain to the Texas 5 1ST DOWN PENALTY Mich Illegal Block in Back (#1 D.McCulley) 15 yards from Texas 25

4:50, 3rd Qtr: Bryson Kuzdzal rush for 11 yards gain to the Texas 18 FIRST DOWN

5:38, 3rd Qtr: Spencer Barnett kickoff 54 yards to the Mich 11 Andrew Marsh return 51 yards to the Texas 38. Outstanding setup for Bryce Underwood after Manning TD. 

5:38, 3rd Qtr: Arch Manning scrambles for 23-yard TOUCHDOWN. A great play by the Longhorns QB to retake the lead. 

7:07, 3rd Qtr: Arch Manning pass incomplete PENALTY Mich Roughing The Passer (#33 D.Nichols) 15 yards to Texas 46, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY

9:37, 3rd Qtr: Beckham Sunderland kickoff 65 yards to Ryan Niblett return 20 yards to the Texas 20

9:41, 3rd Qtr FIELD GOAL: Dominic Zvada field goal attempt from 31 yards GOOD. A great long drive for Bryce Underwood and Michigan. 12 plays, 41 yards with 5:13 

10:52, 3rd Qtr: Bryson Kuzdzal rush for 4 yards gain on fourth and 1 to the Texas 21

12:10, 3rd Qtr: Micah Ka'apana rush for 11 yards gain to the Texas 30 1ST DOWN

13:50, 3rd Qtr: Bryson Kuzdzal rush on fourth and 1 for 11 yards to the Texas 34 1ST DOWN

14:50, 3rd Qtr: Spencer Barnett kickoff 62 yards to the Mich 3 Andrew Marsh return 43 yards to the Mich 46.

Michigan will receive the second half kick. 

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Halftime stats 

Citrus Bowl- Halftime MichiganTexas
1st Downs1014
3rd down efficiency3-72-7
4th down efficiency0-01-1
Total Yards192233
Passing112147
Comp/Att12/1914/23
Yards per pass5.96.4
Interceptions thrown00
Rushing8086
Rushing Attempts1718
Yards per rush4.74.8
Penalties3-255-50
Turnovers01
Fumbles lost01
Interceptions thrown00
Possession14:2815:32

0:00, 2nd Qtr: Dominic Zvada field goal attempt from 45 yards NO GOOD

0:23, 2nd Qtr: Bryce Underwood pass complete to Marlin Klein caught at Texas 50, for 20 yards 1ST DOWN

0:48, 2nd Qtr: Michigan takes over at 25-yard line after touchback on punt

0:59, 2nd Qtr: Arch Manning 22-yard loss to the Mich 43 on bad snap. Michigan get a major break for a fourth down stop and takes Texas out of FG range.  

1:35, 2nd Qtr: Arch Manning rush for 10 yards gain to the Mich 21, 1ST DOWN

2:44, 2nd Qtr: Beckham Sunderland punt 35 yards to the Texas 45. A quick three and out for Underwood and Michigan. Arch Manning and the offense will get likely the final possession of the half. 

4:52, 2nd Qtr: Jack Bouwmeester punt 39 yards to the Mich 11 fair catch by Andrew Marsh

6:43, 2nd Qtr Hudson Hollenbeck punt 44 yards to the Texas 34 Ryan Niblett return 21 yards to the Mich 45 PENALTY Texas Illegal Block in Back (#6 K.Black) 10 yards from Mich 50 to Texas 40 Michigan gives Arch Manning and Texas the ball back. 

7:41, 2nd Qtr: Arch Manning pass complete to Jack Endries caught for 17-yard TOUCHDOWN. The first career bowl game passing score for Manning. 

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8:25, 2nd Qtr: Arch Manning 26-yard pass complete short to RyanWingo to the Mich 34 1ST DOWN

10:17, 2nd Qtr: Beckham Sunderland kickoff 60 yards to the Texas 5 with Ryan Niblett return 21 yards to the Texas 26 

10:22, 2nd Qtr: Bryce Underwood to Andrew Marsh TOUCHDOWN. Michigan retakes the lead with Underwood's second TD pass 

11:01, 2nd Qtr: Bryce Underwood rush left for 33 yards gain to the Texas 4 1ST DOWN

13:43, 2nd Qtr: Spencer Barnett kickoff 45 yards to the Mich 20 returned 11 yards to the Mich 31

13:46, 2nd Qtr: Christian Clark rush for TOUCHDOWN from 3 yards out. Tie game

14:24, 2nd Qtr: Arch Manning huge fourth down conversion, rush for 19 yards gain to Mich 3 1ST DOWN

14:57, 2nd Qtr: Michael Terry III stuffed on 3rd down rush to the Mich 22 

END OF 1ST QUARTER 

1:12, 1st Qtr: Arch Manning pass complete to Emmett Mosley V to the Mich 31 for 1ST DOWN

3:15, 1st Qtr: Beckham Sunderland kickoff 65 yards to Texas for the touchback

3:15, 1st Qtr: Michigan TOUCHDOWN Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell. An amazing catch puts Michigan up 10-3. The previous play is under automatic review – "Pass completion". CALL OVERTURNED

3:56, 1st Qtr: Beckham Sunderland kickoff 65 yards to the Texas' Ryan Niblett return 23 yards to the Texas 17 fumble recovered by Mich at Texas 23. A great turnover to set up Underwood and the offseason for an opportunity to take the lead.  

4:01, 1st Qtr: Michigan's Dominic Zvada nails field goal attempt from 53 yards GOOD. Tie game with the game moving quickly. 

5:57, 1st Qtr: Bryce Underwood rush for 4 yards gain to the Texas 49. PENALTY Texas Face Mask to Texas 38, 1ST DOWN.

7:12, 1st Qtr: The second first down of the game for Michigan. Bryson Kuzd. zal rush for 11 yards gain to the Mich 44.  

7:50, 1st Qtr: The first three and out of the game for either team with Michigan's defense holding tight. Jack Bouwmeester punt 45 yards to the Mich 25. Underwood's second try to spark the offense. 

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9:52, 1st Qtr:  A huge third down stop with a 52-yard punt on fourth down. Arch Manning and the Horns get a second crack at it. 

10:03, 1st Qtr: Bryce Underwood sacked for loss of 8 yards to the Mich 37 by Colin Simmons.

12:05, 1st Qtr: Andrew Marsh return kickoff 18 yards to the Mich 26. This will be the first drive for Bryce Underwood and the Wolverines' offense. 

Arch Manning and the Longhorn open the game with a 9-play, 50 yard drive, but stalls with a field goal. Nonetheless, Texas strikes first. 

12:05, 1st Qtr: FIELD GOAL- Mason Shipley field goal attempt from 43 yards GOOD 

14:10, 1st Qtr: Arch Manning pass complete to Ryan Wingo for 22 yards to the Texas 47, 1ST DOWN

Michigan wins coin toss, will take the ball in the second half. Texas starts the game on offense. 

Pregame chatter on social media

Texas vs. Michigan: Citrus Bowl preview

College football’s 2025-26 postseason continues Wednesday afternoon with a marquee matchup as the Michigan Wolverines faces the Texas Longhorns in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. 

The meeting features two of the sport’s most storied programs, though it marks only the third all-time matchup between Michigan and Texas. The Longhorns hold a 2-0 series edge. Michigan enters the game at 9-3, while Texas seeks its 10th win of the season after an uneven campaign by its preseason standards.

On the field, much of the focus will be on Michigan’s development at quarterback, where true freshman Bryce Underwood showed flashes while guiding an offense built around a physical ground game. The Wolverines averaged 213.2 rushing yards per game during the regular season and will lean heavily on that identity as they navigate bowl season under interim circumstances.

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The bigger storyline in Ann Arbor, however, has been off-field turmoil. Michigan dismissed coach Sherrone Moore earlier this month following an internal investigation. The program quickly turned the page, announcing the hiring of former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who will officially take over following the season. Whittingham is already evaluating the roster and assembling his staff ahead of the 2026 campaign.

On the other side, Texas opened the year with national title aspirations under Steve Sarkisian but stumbled early with losses to Ohio State and Florida. The Longhorns recovered down the stretch, winning six of their final seven games, including rivalry victories over Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

Quarterback Arch Manning leads a Texas offense that finished the season trending upward, while the defense remains one of the nation’s best against the run. Michigan’s defense allowed just 18.7 points per game and ranked among the Big Ten’s top units against the run.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, with ABC carrying the broadcast. After weeks of distraction, Michigan will try to close the season with momentum, while Texas looks to cap its year with a milestone win on a prominent stage.

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