Arch Manning had a specular performance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to lead No. 13 Texas to a 41-27 Citrus Bowl victory over No. 18 Michigan on Wednesday in Orlando Florida. The game was a back-and-forth battle between two former No. 1 recurring prospects.
Much of the pre-game hype was about the quarterbacks. After dueling for three quarters, Underwood and Manning went in drastically different directions in the fourth quarter. For the most part, Texas and Michigan were neck and neck. The game was tied at 17 entering halftime. Underwood began the fourth quarter by putting Michigan ahead 27-24 with an dazzling 5-yard touchdown run. From there Manning took command. First, he passed to Kaliq Lockett for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
Then after an Underwood interception, Manning put the Wolverines away with a 60-yard touchdown run. Manning became the first quarterback to finish a bowl game with 150 or more rushing yards, two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns since Lamar Jackson did it for Louisville in the 2015 Music City Bowl. The fourth quarter was a penalty-plagued affair between two teams jockeying for their 10th victories.
Though it’s been a tumultuous December for Michigan, due to the recent firing of firing of head coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday December 10th for misconduct, the Wolverines put forth a vigorous effort under interim coach Biff Poggi. But with its top two pass rushers unavailable after opting out, Michigan struggled to pressure Manning, who finished with 221 passing yards and 155 rushing yards. It was just the third ever meeting between the two historical powers, and Texas has won all three.
