NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Arch Manning made his first bowl game start of his collegiate career for the Texas Longhorns and was going up against a Michigan Wolverines team with a chip on their shoulder following the Sherrone Moore controversy.
Manning lived up to the hype that was around him in the beginning of the season and led Texas to a massive 41-27 victory in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks for a receiver during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Michigan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
For the most part, Texas and Michigan were neck and neck. The game was tied at 17 apiece going into halftime. Manning had to dig deep and the defense had to play really tough in order to get the lead and keep it.
Manning found tight end Jack Endires for a 17-yard touchdown pass to take the lead. After Michigan kicked a field goal, Manning came back with a 23-yard touchdown run.
Michigan wasn’t done. Bryce Underwood put the Wolverines ahead when he ran for a 5-yard score and nearly lost the ball in the end zone. The Wolverines took a 28-24 lead early in the fourth quarter. But the Longhorns stayed hot. Manning led the team on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Kaliq Lockett.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, right, is stopped by Michigan linebacker Cole Sullivan during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
ARCH MANNING SAYS THERE IS ‘NO REASON TO LEAVE’ TEXAS, WANTS TO FURTHER HIS DEVELOPMENT
Underwood threw an interception on the next drive. Manning then delivered the dagger.
He took the snap and ran straight up the middle for a 60-yard touchdown. Texas would only add a field goal later in the frame and that would be it.
Manning had four total touchdowns in the win. He tallied 376 total yards, including 221 through the air and 155 on the ground. Manning’s rushing yards total was a career high.
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports, and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. The offer ends on Jan. 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Longhorns finished the 2025 season with 10 wins. It’s the third straight season Texas has reached the 10-win mark.
Michigan lost this game, but will embark on a new era with Kyle Whittingham taking over as head coach.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.