Texas vs Michigan score, reaction as Longhorns win Citrus Bowl

Arch Manning left his best stuff of the season for the Citrus Bowl, and Texas football is sure happy he’s its quarterback for that.

The Texas quarterback took over in the fourth quarter to help the 14th-ranked Longhorns beat Bryce Underwood and No. 17 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. 

The Longhorns’ 41-27 win gives Steve Sarkisian’s squad their second consecutive win over the Wolverines in the last two years, and a victory in their first Citrus Bowl appearance.

Stream Citrus Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Manning was fantastic in his first-ever bowl start, finishing with four total touchdowns. He completed 21-of-34 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns. He also found a good amount of success on the ground with 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns — including an untouched 60-yard score in the fourth quarter— on nine carries. 

The Longhorns end the season with a 10-3 record, while the Wolverines drop to a 9-4 record. 

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates from the game. Follow along for a recap:

Texas vs Michigan live score

This section will be updated

Texas vs Michigan highlights

Final score: Texas 41, Michigan 27

Texas wins Citrus Bowl

Arch Manning and Texas come out with the 41-27 win in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.

Texas extends lead with field goal

Texas pushes its lead to 14 points with a 51-yard field goal from Mason Shipley. The Longhorns have now outscored the Wolverines 24-10 in the second half alone.

Texas intercepts Bryce Underwood

Ty’Anthony Smith picks up back-to-back interceptions against Bryce Underwood in a matter of drives. It’s the third turnover of the night by the Wolverines.

Texas is just over four minutes away from winning the Citrus Bowl.

Arch Manning scores fourth TD of game

Arch Manning breaks off for a 60-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the drive to give Texas a 38-27 lead over Michigan. What a fourth-quarter performance by Manning.

Texas intercepts Bryce Underwood

Texas comes up with its second interception of the night on an underthrown pass from Bryce Underwood. This time, it is Ty’Anthony Smith who intercepts Underwood to give the Longhorns the ball back at their own 30-yard line, following an unnecessary roughness penalty, with 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Arch Manning throws 30-yard TD pass

Arch Manning is in his bag right now, as he throws a dime to Kaliq Lockett on second-and-13 for the 30-yard touchdown pass. Texas reclaims the lead at 31-27 over Michigan with 6:54 left in the fourth quarter.

The scoring drive was nine plays for 75 yards and took 4:02 off the game clock.

Arch Manning picks up first down

Arch Manning!! The Texas quarterback evades Michigan’s blitz perfectly on fourth-and-2 and picks up the first down to extend the Longhorns’ drive with a 15-yard carry. It’s a big-time play by Manning, who is now at 95 rushing yards on the day.

Bryce Underwood TD stands after lengthy review

Michigan keeps Bryce Underwood’s 5-yard rushing touchdown after review to reclaim the lead at 27-24. Video appeared to show the ball coming out of Underwood’s hands before he hit the pylon, but the call was upheld after review. That could be an impactful call by the end of the game.

End of third quarter: Texas 24, Michigan 20

Michigan elects to let the clock run down to end the third quarter. The Wolverines’ decision buys them some extra time to think over their fourth-and-1 decision at the Texas 46-yard line.

Texas intercepts Bryce Underwood, Michigan

Bryce Underwood underthrows a pass to Donaven McCulley on second-and-17, and it falls into the hands of Texas defensive back Wardell Mack. It’s the first real mistake by Underwood on the afternoon, and could be a costly one as Arch Manning and Co. trot back onto the field.

Arch Manning runs for 23-yard TD

Arch Manning puts Texas up 24-20 in the third quarter with a 23-yard rushing touchdown up the middle of the field. It’s an impressive run by Manning, and a play that a member of the Manning clan isn’t known to make given the lack of mobility his uncles Peyton and Eli showed in the NFL. He is now at 72 rushing yards on six carries on the day.

The scoring drive was nine plays for 80 yards and took 3:05 off the game clock.

Michigan takes lead with FG

Dominic Zvada redeems himself for a missed field goal before halftime with a 31-yard field goal to begin the second half. Zvada’s kick ends a 12-play drive that went for 41 yards and took 5:13 off the game clock for the Wolverines.

Michigan was unable to come up with the touchdown on the drive despite multiple attempts into the end zone from Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines’ best chance for that came on third-and-2 when Underwood’s pass to Marlin Klein was broken up in the end zone at the last second by a Texas defender.

Michigan starts second half with good field position

Andrew Marsh returns the second half opening kickoff 43 yards to give Michigan a strong starting field position at its own 46-yard line.

End of first half: Michigan 17, Texas 17

Michigan misses field goal attempt

Texas’ miscommunication ends up not hurting the Longhorns, as Dominic Zvada misses the 45-yard field goal attempt as time expires in the first half of the Citrus Bowl. The Longhorns and Wolverines head into the locker room tied at 17.

Texas punts following snap miscommunication

Texas center Cole Hutson snaps the ball while Arch Manning was looking to the sideline, resulting in a loss of 22 yards as the QB can only jump on it. That takes the Longhorns out of field goal range just before halftime and, even worse, gives Michigan a chance to get some points.’

Michigan, Texas trade stops

After five consecutive scoring drives, both teams exchange punts as their defenses get third-down stops. Bryce Underwood trots back out with the Wolverines offense at their own 11-yard line with 4:52 remaining until halftime in a tied 17-17 game.

Arch Manning throws TD pass to tie game

Arch Manning delivers a 17-yard pass to a wide-open Jack Endries in the end zone for his 25th touchdown pass of the season. It’s another well-constructed and poised drive by Manning, who is now 12-of-18 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown on the day.

Both teams have scored 21 points in the second half. Got a fun one brewing in Orlando!

Bryce Underwood throws TD pass

Bryce Underwood hits Andrew Marsh with a quick throw for a 4-yard touchdown pass to give Michigan the quick response to Texas’ touchdown score. It’s the fourth touchdown catch for Marsh on the season.

The Wolverines have now scored on each of their last three drives since starting the game with a punt. Underwood looks to be playing rather free and loose to begin this one, as he has two touchdown passes and 121 total yards of offense.

Texas ties game with Christian Clark TD

Texas responds to Michigan’s touchdown with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Christian Clark, who is getting action with Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter both opting out of the game. The scoring drive was 11 plays for 75 yards and took 4:32 off the game clock.

Arch Manning set Clark’s score with a pickup of 19 yards on a quarterback keeper on fourth-and-1. Texas ties the game at 10-10 with 13:43 remaining in the second quarter.

End of first quarter: Michigan 10, Texas 3

Arch Manning picks up three yards on a quarterback scramble for the final play of the first quarter. The Longhorns quarterback surpassed the 3,000 passing yard mark on the season two plays earlier with a 20-yard pass to Emmett Mosley V.

The Longhorns will start the second quarter with the ball on the Wolverines’ 27-yard line down 10-3.

Michigan takes lead on Bryce Underwood TD pass

It appears that Michigan had a touchdown called back, but after review, Bryce Underwood gives Michigan its first lead of the game with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Bell. It’s an impressive catch by Bell in the end zone.

Michigan recovers fumble on Texas kickoff return

Michigan comes away with its first takeaway of the afternoon, and it comes on special teams as Cole Sullivan lands a big hit on Ryan Niblett to force the ball out of his hands on the kickoff return. The Wolverines take over deep in the Longhorns’ territory.

Michigan ties game with field goal

Dominic Zvada hits the 53-yard field goal attempt to tie the game at 3-3 with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring drive was eight plays for 40 yards and took 3:49 off the game clock.

Michigan forces punt in response

Now Michigan forces a Texas three-and-out. The Longhorns put themselves into third-and-1 but go backwards, and Michigan will start on its own 25-yard line.

Promising Michigan drive ends in punt

Michigan gets a first down and gets into Texas territory, but the next series of downs ends in disaster with a false start, a tackle for a loss, and a sack. Michigan is forced to punt, and Texas returns the ball just past the 20-yard line where it will begin its next possession.

Texas hits field goal to take early lead

Texas puts together a nice drive to start the game, but it sputters in Michigan territory. Mason Shipley hits a field goal to make it a 3-0 Texas lead after the opening series.

Michigan wins coin toss, elects to defer

Texas will get the ball first, as Michigan wins the coin toss and elects to defer. Arch Manning will begin the game against the Michigan defense.

Pregame

Michigan, Texas take the field

Michigan and Texas are nearly underway, as both sides take the field.

Is Bryce Underwood playing today?

True freshman Bryce Underwood is getting the start of Michigan on Dec. 31.

The quarterback has had his ups and downs in his first season with Michigan, throwing for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He has been stymied by elite defenses so far this year, so Texas will be an interesting litmus test for the young QB.

Sherrone Moore fired, revisited 

Michigan fired Sherrone Moore with cause on Dec. 10 after a university investigation found credible evidence that Moore was having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

The ex-Wolverines coach was then detained by police on Dec. 10 after the Pittsfield Township Police Department — with the reported help of the Saline Police Department — responded at 4:10 p.m. ET ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault.’ He was then charged on Dec. 12 with felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

In court, prosecutor Kati Rezmierski alleged that Moore entered the home of a woman he had a relationship with, grabbed butter knives and scissors from a kitchen drawer and threatened to harm himself. The police report also stated Moore and the victim engaged in a verbal argument that escalated to Moore threatening self-harm.

He posted his $25,000 bond on Dec. 12, and is set to return to court on Jan. 22. 

Who’s coaching Michigan in Citrus Bowl? 

Associate head coach Biff Poggi will serve as the Wolverines’ interim head coach in the Citrus Bowl against Texas. It will be the third game this season that Poggi will serve as the interim head coach, as he coached Michigan in Week 3 and Week 4 while ex-Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore served a two-game, self-imposed suspension for his involvement in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. 

Is Arch Manning going to the NFL draft? 

No, Manning will not declare for the NFL draft following the Citrus Bowl, as he is set to return to the Longhorns for the 2026 college football season. 

Arch Manning’s father, Cooper Manning, confirmed his son’s decision in a text message to ESPN’s Dave Wilson on Monday, Dec. 15.

‘Arch is playing football at Texas next year,’ the text to ESPN read.

Michigan-Texas series history 

• Series record: Texas leads 2-0
• Texas’ last win: 2024 (31-12)
• Michigan’s last win: N/A

Wednesday’s Citrus Bowl is the third overall meeting between Michigan and Texas. The Longhorns took a 2-0 lead in the all-time series record with a 31-12 win over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last season. 

What time does Texas vs Michigan start?

• Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Where: Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)

Texas and Michigan are set for a 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

What TV channel is Texas vs Michigan on today?

• TV channel: ABC
• Streaming options: Fubo (free trial)

ABC will broadcast the Citrus Bowl between Texas and Michigan on Dec. 31. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will broadcast the game from the booth at Camping World Stadium, with Alyssa Lang reporting from the sidelines

Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream Citrus Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Texas vs Michigan predictions in Citrus Bowl

Here’s who experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network picked to win the Citrus Bowl:

• Matt Hayes: Texas
• Jordan Mendoza: Texas
• Paul Myerberg: Texas
• Erick Smith: Texas
• Eddie Timanus: Texas
• Blake Toppmeyer: Texas

Texas vs Michigan odds, spread for Citrus Bowl

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as Tuesday, Dec. 30

• Spread: Texas -7
• Over/under: 48.5
• Moneyline: Texas (-300) | Michigan (+250)

Texas football opt-outs for Citrus Bowl vs Michigan

Here’s a look at the Texas opt-outs for the Citrus Bowl, according to Longhorn Wire:

NFL draft

• LB Anthony Hill Jr.
• DB Michael Taaffe
• DB Malik Muhammad
• DB Jaylon Guilbeau
• EDGE Ethan Burke
• LB/DE Trey Moore

Transfer portal

• RB Quintrevion Wisner
• RB CJ Baxter
• WR DeAndre Moore
• QB Trey Owens
• WR Aaron Butler
• CB Santana Wilson
• OL Connor Stroh
• DT Melvin Hills III
• DB Derek Williams Jr.
• LB Liona Lefau
• RB Jerrick Gibson
• K Will Stone

Michigan football opt-outs for Citrus Bowl vs Texas

Here’s a look at the Michigan opt-outs for the Citrus Bowl, according to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, part of USA TODAY Network:

• EDGE Derrick Moore (NFL draft)
• LB Jaishawn Barham (NFL draft)
• OL Gio El-Hadi (NFL draft)

Note: The Wolverines will also be without Justice Haynes (season-ending injury) and Ernest Hausmann (personal matter) for the Citrus Bowl.

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