ORLANDO, Fla. — Michigan football capped a whirlwind 2025 season on Wednesday with a 41-27 loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl.
The Wolverines were in the playoff hunt until the final week of the regular season, then saw it all come crashing down. A loss to Ohio State left Michigan seeking answers for next year, then head coach Sherrone Moore was abruptly fired over an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
Interim head coach Biff Poggi just wanted a full four quarters from the Wolverines, and he got it … Michigan led midway through the fourth quarter before turnovers derailed any hopes of winning.
Here are some notable quotes from the postgame news conference at Camping World Stadium:
“He just couldn’t go. There’s these things where you’re medically cleared but nobody knows your body like you do, right? He was medically cleared, but he just felt like he couldn’t go. He had been banged up for a while. He’s the kind of player that, you know, physicality is what makes him special. So when he doesn’t feel right, especially in the upper body, that’s hard.” — Biff Poggi on running back Jordan Marshall not playing.
“Knowing that we got the right things out. Going out there and playing the sport that we love. Staying where our feet are is a big thing. Coach (Ron) Bellamy said it, Biff said, be where our feet are. Let’s go write history. Biff said a lot that they make movies out of this stuff. We went out there and gave it our all for Biff, for real.” — Receiver Kendrick Bell (2 catches, 24 yards, TD) on trying to stay focused with all the distractions in recent weeks.
“Biff told (Steve) Casula to just call whatever, and that’s what he did. We played our hardest. … We were just ready to go play football. Have fun, make plays, but we didn’t get the third part.” — Running back Bryson Kuzdzal (20 carries, 82 yards) on the offense throwing the football more, and earlier.
“I don’t know if it’s goodbye or see ya later. Hopefully we cross paths again. But it was an honor to be able to play with those guys. I’m just so grateful for them and everything that they’re poured into me.” — Linebacker Cole Sullivan on saying goodbye to some of the defensive coaches. Kyle Whittingham is expected to overhaul much of the Michigan staff.
“I have been a head coach in over 300 football games, at all levels. There has never been a team that I’ve been prouder of than this team. I mean, these guys are unbelievable. They’re great human beings. At Michigan, you have to be a great student. There’s very high standards of how to conduct themselves. It truly is the full package. I don’t know how any one could sit in that stadium and watch these guys and not just be (proud).” — Biff Poggi on his team’s performance on Wednesday.