Wait, did that actually just happen? If you watched the Longhorns close out the 2025 season with a 41-27 win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, you're probably still processing the sheer whiplash of this year. We went from Quinn Ewers saving the day in a wild Peach Bowl classic against Arizona State back in January 2025 to Arch Manning taking the reins for a massive chunk of the current campaign. It’s been a ride.
The texas football game stats tell a story that the box scores sometimes try to hide, but the numbers don't lie—Texas is officially a resident of the SEC penthouse, even if they had to kick the door down to get there.
Honestly, looking at a 10-3 record, most fanbases would be over the moon. In Austin? It’s complicated. We started the year ranked No. 1 and then immediately ran into a buzzsaw in Columbus, losing 14-7 to Ohio State. That game was a defensive masterclass, but it set a tone for an offense that, at times, felt like it was searching for its identity.
The Arch Manning Era and the Ground Game Reality
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Arch Manning finished the 2025 season with 3,163 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. He’s the real deal. But if you look at the texas football game stats from the mid-season stretch, specifically that gritty 16-13 overtime win against Kentucky, the offense looked… well, human.
The Longhorns managed only 179 total yards in that Kentucky game. Think about that for a second. A Steve Sarkisian offense under 200 yards? It felt like the twilight zone. But that’s the SEC for you. It’s a league where you can have a generational talent at quarterback and still get stuck in a mud fight.
Breaking Down the 2025 Production
Texas averaged about 30.5 points per game this season. That’s good enough for 41st in the country, but it’s a dip from the high-flying expectations we had in August. The running game was the heartbeat when things got tough.
- Total Rushing Yards: 1,791
- Average Yards Per Play: 5.96
- Red Zone Success: 85%
The ground game wasn’t just about the yardage; it was about the timing. In the season finale against Texas A&M—the Lone Star Showdown we all waited years for—Texas ground out a 27-17 victory. They didn’t do it by throwing 50 times. They did it by being more physical than a very talented Aggie front.
Why the Defense is the Real MVP
While everyone was busy tracking Arch’s completion percentage, the Texas defense was busy becoming one of the most terrifying units in the country. They allowed only 20.3 points per game. In the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma, they held the Sooners to just 6 points. 6! That’s basically unheard of in the modern era of that rivalry.
The texas football game stats on the defensive side show a team that finally learned how to finish. They forced 16 interceptions this year. That’s more than one per game. When you have a secondary that can flip the field like that, your offense doesn’t have to be perfect.
It wasn't all sunshine, though. The 35-10 loss to Georgia in Athens was a reality check. The Bulldogs exposed some gaps in the linebacking corps, and the stats reflected it: Georgia averaged nearly 6 yards per carry. It was a reminder that while Texas is "back," Georgia is still the gold standard for a reason.
Texas Football Game Stats: The Highs and Lows
Every season has those games that stick in your craw. For Texas fans, the Florida loss (29-21) felt like one that got away. We had more first downs. We had more total yards. But three turnovers in the second half killed the momentum.
On the flip side, the Arkansas game was pure catharsis. 52-37. A total offensive explosion. It felt like every time Manning touched the ball, someone was dancing in the end zone. That game alone bumped the season scoring average significantly.
Third Down Struggles
One area where the stats show a need for growth is third-down conversions. Texas finished the year converting at a 39.2% clip. To be a national title contender, you really want that number closer to 45%. There were too many three-and-outs in the losses to Ohio State and Georgia that put the defense in impossible positions.
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Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
So, where do we go from here? The data suggests a few clear paths for the Longhorns to move from "very good" to "championship elite."
- Vertical Threat Consistency: The passing game averaged 12.6 yards per completion. To stretch SEC defenses, that number needs to stay high. Watch for Sarkisian to recruit more pure speed at the "X" receiver position to prevent safeties from creeping up.
- Turnover Margin: Texas ended with a positive turnover margin, but the fumbles were a bit high (8 lost). Cleaning up ball security in the backfield is a non-negotiable for 2026.
- Road Performance: The stats show a glaring split. At home, Texas was 6-0. Away or at neutral sites? 4-3. Winning in the SEC means winning in places like Starkville and Gainesville. The Longhorns found a way to win a 45-38 overtime thriller at Mississippi State, but they need to find that gear earlier in the game.
The 2025 season provided a mountain of data. We saw a team that can beat anyone when the defense is clicking and the run game is established. We also saw a team that can struggle when the offensive line isn't dominating the point of attack.
With the 2026 schedule already looking brutal—including a massive home game against Ohio State and a trip to LSU—these stats are the roadmap for what needs to change. The Arch Manning era is in full swing, and the foundation is solid. Now, it's just about the details.
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Check the final season logs and focus on the yards per rush in the fourth quarter. That’s usually the best indicator of whether this team is ready to take the next step toward a national seed in the playoffs.