Citrus Bowl First-Half Breakdown: Texas and Michigan Trade Blows in a Back-and-Forth Battle
With a roster thinned by opt-outs, the No. 13 Texas Longhorns entered the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl looking to prove they still had enough firepower to hang with the No.
18 Michigan Wolverines. And through two quarters at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, they’ve done just that-trading punches with a Michigan team led by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood in a first half filled with momentum swings, missed opportunities, and a few highlight-worthy plays from both sides.
Let’s break down the key moments from the first half and how each team has tried to assert itself in this New Year’s Eve clash.
First Quarter: Early Fireworks, Missed Chances, and Costly Mistakes
Texas opened the game with poise, converting a third-and-long right out of the gate thanks to a 22-yard strike from Arch Manning to Ryan Wingo-an early sign that the redshirt sophomore quarterback came ready to sling it. Two plays later, Christian Clark found daylight for another 22 yards, and while the Longhorns couldn't punch it in, Mason Shipley knocked through a 43-yard field goal to give Texas the first points of the game.
Michigan responded with a promising drive of its own, with Underwood completing a pair of passes to move near midfield. But a false start disrupted the rhythm, and a botched snap led to a sack by edge rusher Colin Simmons-who continues to show why he’s one of the most disruptive young defenders in the country.
After a short punt return by Ryan Niblett, Texas stalled out. A short gain by Wingo on second down was followed by a failed third-and-one attempt where tight end Nick Townsend was stuffed for a two-yard loss on a rare carry.
Michigan found some traction on the ground, ripping off runs of eight and 11 yards to start their next possession. But on a third-down scramble by Underwood, a face mask penalty on nickel back Graceson Littleton gifted the Wolverines a fresh set of downs.
Even so, the Longhorns defense held strong-sniffing out a double pass and then dialing up pressure with freshman linebacker Bo Barnes recording a sack. That forced Michigan to settle for a long 53-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada, tying the game at 3-3.
Momentum swung sharply on the ensuing kickoff when Niblett fumbled the return, setting Michigan up at the Texas 23. It didn’t take long for Underwood to capitalize, finding Kendrick Bell in the end zone on a play that was initially ruled incomplete but overturned on review. It was a tight call-one that could’ve gone either way-but the touchdown stood, and Michigan took a 10-3 lead.
Texas answered with a steady drive, leaning again on Clark’s legs. Manning had a shot at a big play downfield to Parker Livingstone but took a hit as he released the ball, and the pass just slipped through the receiver’s fingertips. The quarter ended with Texas facing a 3rd and 6, trailing by a touchdown but showing signs of offensive rhythm.
Second Quarter: Momentum Swings and Missed Opportunities
A Michigan offside gave Texas a more manageable 3rd and 1 to start the second quarter, but the Wolverines stuffed Clark again. On fourth down, the Longhorns dialed up a bit of misdirection-faking a handoff to tight end Jack Endries and letting Manning roll out. The quarterback showed great vision and burst, cutting upfield for a 19-yard gain to keep the drive alive.
Clark capped it off with a three-yard touchdown run-his second career rushing score-and we were knotted at 10-10.
Michigan came right back. Underwood picked up 11 yards on a designed run, then hit tight end Marlin Klein for a first down after Klein had mistimed his jump on a catchable ball earlier in the series.
The freshman QB showed off his legs again, scrambling for nine yards before breaking loose on a 33-yard run that left cornerback Kade Phillips grasping at air. He finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Marsh, giving Michigan a 17-10 lead.
Texas didn’t blink. A short pass and a solid run from Clark set up what looked like a big play-Manning scrambled for 20 yards-but it came back on a holding call against veteran guard DJ Campbell.
A slick catch by Emmett Mosley helped move the chains, but a delay of game set Texas back again. Manning, unfazed, delivered a 26-yard strike to Wingo over the middle, then bounced back from a drop by Daylan McCutcheon with a strike to Endries for a 17-yard touchdown.
Tie game again-17-17.
The Texas defense, which had been shaky early, began to settle in. A dropped pass helped, but linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith made a statement with a rangy tackle for loss, and pressure on Underwood forced a third-down incompletion. Michigan punted, and Niblett gave Texas decent field position-only for a blindside block penalty on cornerback Kobe Black to back them up.
Still, Manning found Mosley for a 12-yard gain and tried to thread the needle on a risky throw that fell incomplete. A holding call on center Connor Robertson and offsetting personal fouls stalled the drive again. Manning picked up some yardage on a designed run, but on 3rd and 12, his pass to McCutcheon fell incomplete between two defenders.
Graduate punter Jack Bouwmeester did his job, pinning Michigan deep. The Wolverines managed a seven-yard gain on 3rd and 8, but Simmons came up big again with a tackle for loss to force another three-and-out.
Texas had a chance to take the lead before halftime. Clark picked up 23 yards on the ground over two runs, and Manning scrambled for 10 more. But the drive unraveled-Livingstone dropped a pass, Wingo had a would-be touchdown knocked loose by a Michigan defender, and a miscommunication on the snap led to a 22-yard loss that knocked Texas out of field goal range.
Michigan got the ball back with under a minute to play and quickly moved into field-goal range. Ty’Anthony Smith laid a big hit on a run near the end of the half, but it came after a nine-yard gain that made Zvada’s 45-yard attempt manageable. The kick sailed wide right, and the teams went into the locker room tied at 17.
Halftime Takeaways
This one’s been as evenly matched as the scoreboard suggests. Arch Manning has been steady, if not spectacular, showing toughness and poise behind a patchwork offensive line. Christian Clark has given the Longhorns balance with some explosive runs, and Ryan Wingo continues to be a go-to target in key moments.
Defensively, Texas has had its struggles containing Bryce Underwood, who’s flashed the athleticism and arm talent that made him one of the most hyped freshman quarterbacks in the country. But the Longhorns have tightened up as the game has gone on, with Colin Simmons and Ty’Anthony Smith making timely plays to keep Michigan from pulling away.
Both teams have left points on the board-Texas with the botched snap and a couple of key drops, Michigan with the missed field goal and a few missed connections in the passing game.
With 30 minutes left to play, this one feels like it’s going to come down to execution in the red zone, ball security, and which young quarterback can make the big throw when it matters most.
Buckle up. The second half’s shaping up to be a good one.