Michigan’s 2025 season came to an end Wednesday night with a 41-27 loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl — a game that featured flashes of promise, aggressive play calling and youthful upside, but ultimately unraveled late under the weight of turnovers and defensive breakdowns.
In a back-and-forth matchup that stayed competitive well into the fourth quarter, the Wolverines were undone by three second-half interceptions and an inability to contain Texas quarterback Arch Manning once the game tilted in the Longhorns’
favor.
Using data from Pro Football Focus (PFF), here are the snap counts, grades, and top and bottom performers from Michigan’s season-ending loss.
Offensive Snap Counts (snap count \ overall grade)
- Nathan Efobi – 86 \ 78.3
- Marlin Klein – 34 \ 73.2
- Kendrick Bell – 23 \ 70.0
- Micah Ka’apana – 26 \ 67.9
- Bryson Kuzdzal – 59 \ 64.4
- Jake Guarnera – 86 \ 61.8
- Hogan Hansen – 23 \ 61.4
- Zack Marshall – 11 \ 60.4
- Ty Haywood – 1 \ 60.0
- Peyton O’Leary – 3 \ 59.1
- Greg Crippen – 6 \ 58.9
- Kaden Strayhorn – 80 \ 58.2
- Deakon Tonielli – 18 \ 57.9
- Donaven McCulley – 82 \ 57.6
- Channing Goodwin – 22 \ 56.0
- Blake Frazier – 86 \ 55.9
- Andrew Marsh – 84 \ 55.4
- Jalen Hoffman – 26 \ 55.2
- Bryce Underwood – 86 \ 50.5
- Semaj Morgan – 18 \ 49.4
- Brady Norton – 86 \ 47.6
Five Best Offensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)
- Nathan Efobi — 78.3
- Marlin Klein — 73.2
- Kendrick Bell — 70.0
- Micah Ka’apana — 67.9
- Bryson Kuzdzal — 64.4
Despite the loss, Michigan’s younger guys on the roster quietly turned in some of their strongest individual performances of the season. Left guard Nathan Efobi led the unit with a 78.3 overall grade, driven by an elite 89.3 pass-blocking mark that consistently kept Bryce Underwood upright.
Tight end Marlin Klein was one of only three offensive players who accounted for a 70.0 or better, finishing second on the offense with a 73.2 grade while contributing both as a receiver and blocker. Kendrick Bell also delivered a clean, efficient outing in limited opportunities, reeling in one of the game’s more outstanding touchdown grabs. Micah Ka’apana and Bryson Kuzdzal both provided steady production in a backfield rotation that was stretched thin late in the year.
Five Worst Offensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)
- Brady Norton — 47.6
- Semaj Morgan — 49.4
- Bryce Underwood — 50.5
- Jalen Hoffman — 55.2
- Andrew Marsh — 55.4
The passing game’s inconsistency ultimately defined Michigan’s offensive night. Underwood showed flashes of his dynamic ability, but his 50.5 grade reflects a costly trio of interceptions that swung momentum firmly in Texas’ direction.
The receiving corps also struggled to create separation. Andrew Marsh (strictly pertaining to his performance in the receiving game) and Semaj Morgan each finished near the bottom of the offense, while Jalen Hoffman and Brady Norton were both dinged heavily after failing to register pass blocking grades above a 30.0.
Defensive Snap Counts (snap count \ overall grade)
- Damon Payne – 32 \ 74.2
- Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng – 14 \ 72.4
- Lugard Edokpayi – 3 \ 67.4
- Troy Bowles – 11 \ 66.3
- Trey Pierce – 44 \ 65.2
- Jaden Mangham – 27 \ 63.3
- Benny Patterson – 2 \ 60.8
- Rayshaun Benny – 43 \ 60.4
- Jyaire Hill – 61 \ 60.0
- Brandyn Hillman – 23 \ 59.2
- Nate Marshall – 27 \ 58.8
- Cole Sullivan – 50 \ 57.9
- Cameron Brandt – 42 \ 57.2
- Chase Taylor – 19 \ 57.1
- Elijah Dotson – 13 \ 56.9
- Jayden Sanders – 12 \ 56.6
- TJ Metcalf – 63 \ 56.3
- Shamari Earls – 12 \ 56.0
- Caleb Anderson – 14 \ 55.6
- Dominic Nichols – 31 \ 55.1
- TJ Guy – 37 \ 52.2
- Jimmy Rolder – 50 \ 51.5
- Jordan Young – 44 \ 51.2
- Tre Williams – 28 \ 50.4
- Zeke Berry – 52 \ 49.6
- Enow Etta – 23 \ 47.9
- Ike Iwunnah – 11 \ 33.0
Five Best Defensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)
- Damon Payne — 74.2
- Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng — 72.4
- Troy Bowles — 66.3
- Trey Pierce — 65.2
- Jaden Mangham — 63.3
Defensive tackle Damon Payne had his best performance of the year, earning a 74.2 overall grade by consistently winning at the point of attack and holding up against the run. Linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng also impressed in limited snaps, flashing range and physicality in one of his most efficient outings of the year.
Troy Bowles delivered solid rotational contributions for a linebacker room that was without Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham, while Jaden Mangham had an overall solid game at safety.
Five Worst Defensive Grades (min. 5 snaps)
- Ike Iwunnah — 33.0
- Enow Etta — 47.9
- Zeke Berry — 49.6
- Tre Williams — 50.4
- Jordan Young — 51.2
Michigan’s secondary and defensive front struggled to hold up once Texas found its rhythm. Ike Iwunnah recorded the lowest grade on the defense in limited action, while Enow Etta and Tre Williams failed to effectively stop the run or disrupt the pocket.
In coverage, Zeke Berry and Jordan Young were targeted frequently, allowing chunk plays that Texas repeatedly converted into points as the game slipped away late.
In Summary
This loss was less about effort and more about execution. The Wolverines showed creativity and aggressiveness for much of the game, but turnovers and defensive lapses proved too costly against a Texas offense that capitalized more often than not.
This data is a pretty clear reflection of a young team still learning how to close games against elite opponents. While the result stings, the performance also offered a glimpse of what Michigan can become with improved discipline and continued development — particularly as the program turns the page toward a new era under Kyle Whittingham.
