ORLANDO, Fla. — The No. 13 Texas Longhorns closed out the 2025 college football season with a decisive 41-27 victory over the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday afternoon in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium. The win capped a strong campaign for Texas and marked a dramatic end to Michigan’s roller-coaster year. University of Michigan Athletics+1
Manning MVP as Longhorns Surge in Second Half
Quarterback Arch Manning was the story of the day, delivering a dominant performance that earned him MVP honors. Manning finished with four total touchdowns — two through the air and two on the ground — and racked up 221 passing yards and 155 rushing yards. His 60-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter broke a tightly contested game open and helped propel Texas past the Wolverines. 98.1 The Sports Animal+1
Freshman running back Christian Clark also made a significant impact, contributing over 100 rushing yards and a score, helping Texas maintain offensive balance despite missing several key players due to opt-outs and injuries.
Michigan Keeps It Close Early, But Turnovers Hurt
Michigan stayed competitive for three quarters, with freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showing both promise and inconsistency. Underwood threw for nearly 200 yards with two touchdowns, but three critical interceptions — particularly in the second half — swung momentum firmly in Texas’ favor.
The Wolverines’ offense amassed 373 total yards, but costly mistakes and missed opportunities in the fourth quarter undermined their bid for a late comeback.
Fourth Quarter Surge Seals It for Texas
After trading blows through three quarters — and entering the final frame with the game still within reach — Texas erupted for 17 unanswered points in the fourth. Manning’s leadership and explosive plays, combined with Michigan’s turnovers, proved decisive. Michigan was unable to respond as the Longhorns closed out the contest with a field goal in the final minutes to seal the victory. ESPN.com
Season Takeaways and Moving Forward
The win lifts Texas to a 10-3 finish, marking another strong season under head coach Steve Sarkisian and giving the Longhorns momentum heading into the offseason. The performance further fuels Heisman Trophy buzz around Arch Manning as fans and analysts project his continued ascendancy in 2026.
For Michigan, the loss concludes a 9-4 season characterized by upheaval off the field and transition on it. The Wolverines navigated coaching changes throughout the year, and this defeat underscores areas of concern — particularly in turnover margin and defensive execution — that new head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff will look to address in the coming months.
Final Score
Texas Longhorns — 41
Michigan Wolverines — 27
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Camping World Stadium — Orlando, Fla. ESPN.com
0 Comments