Arch Manning ignited a fourth-quarter surge, powering Texas' defense as they conquered Michigan. See what this win reveals.
The Texas Longhorns didn't look like a top-15 team for three quarters. Then the fourth quarter arrived, and everything flipped.
Behind a dominant defensive surge and a star-turn performance from Arch Manning, Texas pulled away from the Michigan Wolverines to turn a tight Citrus Bowl into a convincing win.
Gerald Goodrich with Burnt Orange Nation offered a few things we learned about the Longhorns on Wednesday as we look ahead to 2026.
Defense Turns The Game On Its Head
The defining stretch came late. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter as Texas finally began dictating terms. One pick erased a promising Michigan drive; another directly fueled the knockout blow.
It wasn't flashy early, but when the game demanded it, the Longhorns' defense slammed the door.
Arch Manning Looks Like The Future
Calling it a "coming-out party" feels odd for a quarterback whose last name already carries national weight, but this performance still felt like a turning point.
Manning finished with 376 total yards and delivered the two biggest offensive plays of the night with a 30-yard strike to Kaliq Lockett and a 60-yard designed run immediately after an interception that stretched the lead to two scores.
Manning generated explosive plays both with his arm and legs, accounting for six Texas runs of 10 yards or more. He pushed the ball downfield aggressively, with the majority of his passing yardage coming on throws traveling more than 15 yards in the air.
The efficiency wasn't perfect - he connected on just three of seven deep attempts - but the ceiling was obvious. This looked like the launchpad for a massive junior season.
Skill Positions Remain A Concern
If there was a clear offensive issue, it wasn't the quarterback.
Texas receivers struggled to finish plays. Despite only one official drop, multiple catchable passes clanged off hands at critical moments. Parker Livingstone and Ryan Wingo both had opportunities go unfinished before Wingo exited with an injury, while younger targets failed to consistently capitalize on quality throws.
Lockett's first career touchdown was a bright spot, but overall, the group didn't elevate the offense the way it needs to going forward.
Running Game Is Thin
With the top two running backs unavailable, Christian Clark stepped up and delivered his first 100-yard performance, providing stability early. But depth remains an issue.
After Clark, production dropped sharply, leaving Manning as the most dangerous secondary rushing threat. That's not a sustainable formula heading into next season.
Special Teams Nearly Cost Them
Texas escaped despite another shaky night from special teams.
Poor kick coverage repeatedly handed Michigan short fields, highlighted by a 51-yard return that set up a prime scoring chance - one only erased by an end-zone interception. Add in a costly block-in-the-back penalty on a punt return, and the Longhorns once again showed how fragile this phase remains.
It didn't derail the win, but it remains a flashing warning light.
Final Takeaway
Texas didn’t dominate wire to wire, but when the game tilted, it tilted hard in their favor. The defense finished strong. Arch Manning took over. Michigan faded.
For Texas, the result mattered less than what it revealed. The future at quarterback looks bright, but plenty of work remains if the Longhorns want this version of late-game dominance to become the norm.