At a Glance
- Arch Manning racked 376 yards and four TDs as Texas beat Michigan 41-27.
- Manning’s 221 passing yards, 155 rushing yards, and a 60-yard TD run led the offense.
- Texas outgained Michigan 456-373, averaging 6.8 yards per play.
- Why it matters: The win keeps Texas on a three-season streak of 10-plus victories.
In the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31, 2025, Texas quarterback Arch Manning powered the Longhorns to a 41-27 victory over Michigan in Orlando. Manning totaled 376 yards and four touchdowns, while the Texas defense forced two interceptions and recorded eight tackles for loss. The win marks Texas’ third straight season with 10 or more victories.
Manning’s Dominant Performance
Arch Manning was named the game’s MVP after amassing 376 total yards-221 passing and 155 rushing-and scoring four touchdowns. His 60-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter was the game-changing play, and a 23-yard rushing score came midway through the third quarter. Manning’s performance was the most rushing yards by a Texas quarterback since 2009.
Key Plays and Player Highlights
- Jack Endries caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
- Freshman receiver Kaliq Lockett hauled in a 30-yard score with 6:54 left.
- Christian Clark rushed for 105 yards on 20 carries, adding a 6-yard touchdown.
- Ryan Wingo led the team with 64 receiving yards on four catches before exiting with a leg injury.
- Emmett Mosley V recorded 51 yards on five receptions.
Defensive Impact and Penalties
The Longhorns defense posted eight tackles for loss and three sacks, with Ty’Anthony Smith leading with nine tackles and Kade Phillips adding eight solo stops. Wardell Mack intercepted Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood in the third quarter.
Michigan’s Underwood finished 23-for-42 for 199 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, and 77 rushing yards with a score. Bryson Kuzdzal ran for 82 yards on 20 carries for Michigan.
| Metric | Texas | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 456 | 373 |
| Yards per Play | 6.8 | 5.5 |
| Penalties (flags) | 12 | 9 |
| Penalty yards | 104 | 95 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 1 |
| TFLs | 8 | 5 |
| Sacks | 3 | 2 |
The officials issued 21 penalty flags, totaling 199 yards. Texas was flagged 12 times for 104 yards, while Michigan committed nine fouls for 95 yards.
Coaching Perspective
Steve Sarkisian spoke with the team after the emotional victory:
> “It isn’t easy. There’s personal adversity, team adversity … but the real, true competitors rise up to every challenge that they are faced with. That’s what this team did. We played without nine starters today; we played with more than 20 scholarship players not suited up. It created opportunities.”
Steve Sarkisian added:
> “When people want to ask about our culture, I say that they are so connected and full of a unique competitive spirit. I’m proud of these guys, and it gives me a lot of hope for what 2026 could look like.”
Key Takeaways
- Arch Manning’s 376 yards and four touchdowns earned him MVP honors.
- Texas outgained Michigan 456-373 and maintained a 10-win streak for three seasons.
- The defense forced two interceptions and recorded eight tackles for loss, while penalties were relatively balanced.
Texas’ victory in the Citrus Bowl underscores the program’s resilience and sets the stage for a promising 2026 season.
