Although it fell a few spots short of the College Football Playoff, No. 13 Texas football certainly looked like one of the nation’s top teams in a thrilling 41-27 win over No. 18 Michigan in Wednesday’s Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
Quarterback Arch Manning set the table for what will likely be his final collegiate season in 2026 by accounting for 376 yards of offense and four touchdowns. A revamped defense overcame the absence of seven regular starters this past season and forced three Michigan (9-4) turnovers, including two in the decisive fourth quarter.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Kaliq Lockett (7) catches a 30-yard pass from Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) to score in the fourth quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Kaliq Lockett (7) catches a 30-yard pass from Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) to score in the fourth quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Here’s how the Longhorns (10-3) graded out in the 41-27 win over Michigan.
Quarterback: A+
Arch Manning played an almost flawless game, considering that he threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 21 of 34 passing despite a handful of drops. He also ran for a career-high 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 60-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter that all but sealed the win. Legacies can be made in only a handful of games, and Manning met the moment.
Season average: A-
Running back: B+
No Quintrevion Wisner? No CJ Baxter? No problem for redshirt freshman Christian Clark, who carried the load for the first time and responded with 105 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Clark didn’t even share the load while picking up just the second 100-yard rushing game by a running back this season; freshman Michael Terry III had the only other carry by a running back.
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Season average: C
Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) celebrates a first down gain in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.
Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) celebrates a first down gain in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Receivers: C
Drops plagued almost the entire group, and injuries sidelined starters Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V for much of the game. But freshman Kaliq Lockett took advantage of the increased snaps with two catches for 35 yards and his first career touchdown; tight end Jack Endries snagged his first touchdown catch since Week 2 against San Jose State.
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Season average: B-
Offensive line: A
Michigan played without a couple of likely NFL picks, but it still boasts a talent-laden defense, especially up front. No problem for the Longhorns’ bunch, which paved the way for 456 yards of offense. Texas averaged 7.1 yards per carry, even factoring in an ill-timed snap by Connor Robertson that led to a 22-yard loss. Oh, and Manning didn’t endure a single sack.
Season average: B+
Secondary: B+
The secondary played without three regular starters, and the youngsters made a few mistakes while allowing Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood to throw for 199 yards. But they also flew around with abandon; Warren Roberson delivered some crunching hits among his five tackles, Graceson Littleton capped an impressive freshman season with six tackles and a pass breakup, and Wardell Mack had his first career interception.
Season average: C+
Special teams: C
Mason Shipley made both of his field-goal attempts, including his second from at least 50 yards. But Ryan Niblett lost a fumble on a return, and the Longhorns gave up 165 yards on six kickoffs.
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Season average: B-
Coaching: A
A team’s effort in a non-CFB bowl game often serves as a reflection of the head coach and his staff. And Texas played hard in the Citrus Bowl, which is a credit to Steve Sarkisian. The Texas head coach also reached into his bag of tricks with a nifty 19-yard run for a first down by Manning on a sneaky direct snap in the first half. Interim defensive play caller Johnny Nansen helped calm down a young unit in the decisive second half.
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