Photos by: Aaron J. Thornton
The 2025 season came to a disappointing close for the Michigan Wolverines on Wednesday night, as they fell 41–27 to the Texas Longhorns in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. What began as a tightly contested matchup unraveled in the second half, with Texas seizing control in the final quarter behind timely defense and an exceptional performance throughout the entire game from Longhorn quarterback Arch Manning.
Both programs entered the bowl game shorthanded due to opt-outs and injuries. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian noted afterwards that the Longhorns were without nine starters in the game and many young players were thus given opportunities. Similarly, Michigan was also missing key contributors. Despite the absences, the two college football powerhouses traded leads throughout the first half, delivering an entertaining battle that ended knotted at 17–17 going into the break.
The turning point came late in the third quarter, when the Texas defense stepped up and tightened their grip, capitalizing on the momentum shift from that point forward. Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was intercepted three times over the final 18 minutes of the game, stalling any chance of a Wolverines comeback. While Underwood struggled after halftime, Manning elevated his play, showcasing both his arm and his legs. In the second half alone, he rushed for touchdown runs of 23 and 60 yards and added a 30-yard touchdown through the air.
Manning finished with a sensational stat line, leading all players with 155 rushing yards while throwing for 221 yards. He accounted for four total touchdowns, two rushing and two passing in the game, and was named the game’s MVP following his standout performance.
The Wolverine’s Underwood completed 23 of 42 passes for 199 yards and added 69 yards on the ground, but the costly interceptions proved decisive. Freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh, widely viewed as a rising star, had a quiet afternoon with just three catches for 10 yards. His lone highlight came in the second quarter, when he capped a drive with an impressive four-yard touchdown, diving for the pylon as he was forced out of bounds.
With the loss, Michigan ends the season at 9-4. While the record is solid, it falls short of expectations for a team that entered the year with high hopes surrounding Underwood, the nation’s top ranked recruit. Still, the freshman quarterback gained invaluable experience in his first season, and the outlook remains promising as he continues to learn and develop.
Michigan now rings in the new year and looks to next season with new Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, turning the page to a new era. The 67 year old Whittingham, who was in Orlando on the field before the game and watching from most likely a suite during, has garnished a lot of excitement since he stepped down as Utah’s head man and was hired as the Michigan Coach less than a week earlier. The Wolverines and Whittingham will now get to work as they look ahead to 2026 with renewed optimism.
Final Score: Texas 41 – Michigan 27
