Manning was responsible for two fourth-quarter touchdowns while Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood threw two fourth-quarter interceptions in No. 13 Texas’ 41-27 Citrus Bowl victory over the No. 18 Wolverines.
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Texas closed out the game with just over five minutes left. Ty’Anthony Smith intercepted Underwood and returned the ball to the Michigan 45-yard line. After a penalty returned Texas to its own 40-yard line, Manning ran 60 yards for a touchdown on the Longhorns’ first offensive play and increased the lead to 11.
It wasn’t the first time Manning’s legs were vital to the Texas offense in the fourth quarter. Underwood’s 5-yard touchdown run put the Wolverines up 27-24 with 10:56 remaining, but Texas responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Kaliq Lockett.
Four plays before the touchdown pass, Manning ran for 15 yards on fourth down. That play was preceded by an eight-yard run on third down.
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Manning finished the game with 155 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on just nine carries. He also completed 21 of 34 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
After Manning’s second rushing touchdown, Michigan had a chance to stay within striking distance. But Underwood was intercepted by Smith on the second play of Michigan’s next drive. Any hope of a comeback was over.
Underwood showed plenty of promise during the first half as new Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham watched from a suite. But he threw three interceptions on four drives in the second half as his and Michigan’s day fell apart.