So, you’re looking at the box scores and wondering how a team that started the 2025 season ranked as the undisputed No. 1 in the country ended up in the Citrus Bowl. It’s a valid question. The raw longhorn football game stats tell a story of high-flying potential that occasionally ran into a brick wall made of SEC defenses.
Texas finished the 2025 campaign with a 10-3 record. On paper, that’s a great year. Honestly, for most programs, it’s a dream. But in Austin? People expected a natty. The transition into the heart of the SEC schedule proved that while Steve Sarkisian has built a juggernaut, there are still growing pains when you're playing a gauntlet of top-10 teams week after week.
The Arch Manning Era by the Numbers
Let's talk about the kid everyone was watching. Arch Manning took over the reins and, for the most part, he lived up to the gargantuan expectations.
He finished the season with 3,163 passing yards. That’s a massive number for a first-year starter in this conference. He tossed 26 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. His efficiency was actually better than many experts predicted, posting a passer rating of 144.9.
But it wasn't just the arm.
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Arch actually led the team in rushing touchdowns. You read that right. He found the end zone 10 times with his legs. He isn't just a pocket passer; he's a 6-foot-4 athlete who knows how to tuck it and run when the red zone compresses.
Why the offense felt "stuck" sometimes
Despite the flashy numbers, the Longhorns’ rushing attack was surprisingly pedestrian for long stretches. Tre Wisner was the primary back, and while he had some brilliant moments—like his 66.3 yards per game average—the team only averaged 137.8 rushing yards per contest. That ranked them 91st in the country.
In the SEC, if you can’t run the ball, you’re playing with fire.
The offensive line, led by Kyle Flood’s coaching, was great at protecting Arch (they only allowed a sack on about 5% of dropbacks), but they struggled to create those massive lanes we saw back in the Bijan Robinson or Jonathon Brooks eras.
Examining the Big Game Letdowns
If you want to know what really happened with the longhorn football game stats in 2025, you have to look at the three losses: Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia.
The season opener against Ohio State was a defensive slugfest. Texas lost 14-7. 16.1 million people tuned in to watch what was essentially a stalemate. Texas only managed 7 points. That’s unheard of for a Sarkisian-led offense.
Then came the Georgia game in November.
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This one hurt. Texas actually led 3-0 early. They even trimmed the lead to 14-10 in the third quarter after a Ryan Wingo touchdown catch. But the fourth quarter was a disaster. Georgia outscored Texas 21-0 in the final frame.
- Total Yards: Georgia 357, Texas 274
- Rushing Yards: Georgia 128, Texas 23
- Time of Possession: Georgia had the ball for over 35 minutes.
You can't win big games when you're held to 23 yards rushing. Period. The Bulldogs' defense, led by Kirby Smart, basically dared Arch to beat them over the top, and when the run game evaporated, the pressure on the young QB became too much. He was sacked three times and hurried constantly.
The Defense Was Actually Elite
While the offense got the headlines, the defense was the real reason this team won 10 games. Pete Kwiatkowski's unit was legit.
They allowed only 20.3 points per game.
Jelani McDonald was a monster in the secondary. He led the team with 82 tackles and three interceptions. Then you have Colin Simmons. The sophomore edge rusher lived in the backfield, racking up 12.0 sacks.
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Texas finished with a +14 turnover margin. That’s tied for 4th in the entire country. Basically, the defense was constantly bailing out the offense by giving them short fields. If they didn't have that takeaway luck, this might have been an 8-win season instead of 10.
The Lone Star Showdown Returns
The highlight of the year for most fans wasn't the bowl game; it was the return of the rivalry with Texas A&M.
The atmosphere in Austin on November 28th was electric. The Aggies came in ranked No. 3 in the country and were on an 11-game winning streak. They looked invincible.
Texas didn't care.
The Longhorns won 27-17. They dominated the trenches, rushing for 218 yards while holding A&M to just 157. It was a "statement" game that reminded everyone that even if Texas isn't in the playoff yet, they own the state. Mason Shipley was clutch, as usual, hitting a 41-yarder to get the scoring started.
Key Performance: Ryan Wingo
Ryan Wingo emerged as the clear WR1 this year. He finished with 834 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. In the Citrus Bowl win against Michigan (41-27), he was the focal point. He’s got that rare blend of size and sub-4.4 speed that makes him a nightmare for cornerbacks who try to press him.
What Most People Get Wrong
People look at the "Points Per Game" (30.5) and think this was a vintage Texas offense. It wasn't.
Actually, it was a very methodical, almost conservative team compared to previous years. They ranked 110th in time of possession. They moved fast, but they didn't stay on the field. They relied on big plays rather than sustained drives.
The 39.2% third-down conversion rate is the stat that should keep Sark up at night. That’s 74th in the nation. To be a playoff team in 2026, they have to stay on the schedule and stop putting Arch in 3rd-and-long situations.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking these stats to see where the program is headed, keep an eye on these specific metrics moving forward:
- Red Zone Efficiency: Texas scored on 85% of red zone trips, which is okay, but they settled for field goals too often. Watch if they can turn those Mason Shipley kicks into Arch Manning rushing TDs next year.
- Rushing Consistency: Look at the "Yards Per Carry" in conference games. They need to get back over the 4.5 mark to keep defenses honest.
- Penalty Yardage: This was a quiet killer. Texas averaged nearly 70 penalty yards per game. In the Florida and Georgia losses, those flags killed momentum at the worst possible times.
The 2025 season was a success by most metrics, especially the Citrus Bowl trophy and the win over A&M. But the longhorn football game stats show a team that is exactly one elite offensive line performance away from holding the national championship trophy.
Check the returning starters list for the interior line this spring. If the core of that group stays together, the rushing numbers will likely jump, and that 10-3 record will probably look more like 12-1.