Texas Longhorns Finish Up-and-Down Season With Citrus Bowl Win

ORLANDO, FL — The Texas Longhorns’ wildly inconsistent season ended on a high note Wednesday with a 41-27 win over Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Texas trailed on four different occasions, but the Longhorns took the lead for good with 6:58 remaining on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Arch Manning to Kaliq Lockett for a 31-27 lead.

Manning then broke loose for a 60-yard TD run less than two minutes later to help seal the win.

Manning finished with nine carries for 155 yards and two TDs, and he was 21-of-34 passing for 221 yards and two TDs.

The Texas defense forced four turnovers.

No. 13-ranked Texas finished with a record of 10-3, while No. 18 Michigan’s season ended at 9-4.

By a lot of measures, the season could be considered a success, but it’s hard to view it that way for a Longhorns team that began the season ranked No. 1 in the nation.

After a season-opening 14-7 loss at Ohio State, Texas began its tumble down the rankings. When the Longhorns lost 29-21 at Florida, they fell to 3-2 and out of the Top 25 altogether.

However, Texas responded with a 23-6 rout of No. 6 Oklahoma the following week, the first of three wins over Top 10 teams. The ‘Horns also beat No. 9 Vanderbilt 34-31 and No. 3 Texas A&M 27-17.

Despite the big wins, a 35-10 blowout loss at No. 5 Georgia gave Texas its third loss of the season, and the Longhorns’ resume wasn’t enough to convince the College Football Playoff committee they belonged in the playoffs.

Texas played in the national semifinals the previous two seasons, and the ‘Horns should again be in contention next year, especially if Manning returns at quarterback.