Michigan football found out its bowl opponent on Sunday, Dec. 7 – the No. 17 Wolverines will play No. 14 Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida – and U-M is already preparing.
Both head coaches, Michigan’s Sherrone Moore and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, talked with reporters via Zoom about the bowl game and everything that goes into it. Both teams ultimately came up short of their ultimate goal – to reach the College Football Playoff – in part due to losses to Ohio State.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
CLICK THE PICK: Who has Citrus Bowl edge, Michigan or Texas?
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Texas’ story was written early – two losses in the first five games of the season (to OSU and Florida) put Sarkisian’s team in a hole, and a 35-10 loss to CFP-bound Georgia sealed the Longhorns‘ fate. Not even a win over previously undefeated Texas A&M at the end of November was enough to catapult UT into the 12-team CFP field.
Michigan, meanwhile, also lost twice in the first half of the season before ripping off five consecutive victories. But a 27-9 loss to the Buckeyes doomed the Wolverines’ slim CFP hopes.
Suffice to say, the Citrus Bowl wasn’t Plan A for either squad. But now they’ll both seek their 10th win of the season.
Here are some notable updates from Moore:
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Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall injury updates
Michigan running back Jordan Marshall (23) hugs running back Justice Haynes (22) after 21-16 win over Purdue at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The Wolverines were without their two lead running backs for most of their finale vs. OSU.
Justice Haynes, who began the season as the lead back, missed his fourth straight game with a right foot injury sustained against Michigan State that required surgery to fix. He did not suit up in the month of November, though Moore did not rule out a return for the Citrus Bowl. Then again, the update didn’t sound all that promising.
“Something we’ll look at and we’ll see,” Moore said. “His progress is going really good, so we’ll see and we’ll get more of an answer and clarity as we go through this week.”
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Redshirt freshman Jordan Marshall, meanwhile, tried to give it a go with an injured shoulder against the Buckeyes but was forced to exit early. Marshall injured his shoulder against Northwestern on Nov. 15 and sat out Nov. 22 against Maryland, though he and U-M coaches said he “could’ve gone” if he had to.
When he tried to against the Buckeyes, however, he left in the first quarter after reaggravating the ailment. Marshall was effective when he did play, running seven times for 61 yards.
His outlook for the bowl game seems promising.
“He pushed as much as he could, and when he couldn’t, he couldn’t,” Moore said. “But he’ll be ready for the bowl game, absolutely.”
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Marshall finished the regular season with 932 yards on 150 carries (6.2 yards per carry) with 10 touchdowns, while Haynes had 857 yards on 121 carries (7.1 per carry) and 10 touchdowns of his own.
Kerry Coombs will coach
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and assistant coach Kerry Coombs call plays against Michigan Wolverines during the 1st half of their game at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2017.
The Wolverines announced the hire of Kerry Coombs – a former Ohio State staffer – as special teams coordinator on Saturday night.
Moore praised the hire, saying Coombs brings “energy, excitement and a veteran presence” to the staff. He lauded Coombs’ success at both the high school and college levels, as well as his recruiting prowess. The Wolverines are bringing him into the fold immediately, and he will be on the sidelines against Texas in place of the fired J.B. Brown.
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“Kerry’s here, starting to work,” Moore said. “You know, legally, we’ll get that, all that stuff, binding, as far as contract and all that. … Kerry will coach in the game.”
Moore mum on Ernest Hausmann status
Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann (15) tackles Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Ernest Hausmann did not travel with Michigan football for its final road game, at Maryland.
That caused speculation, which Hausmann attempted to negate on social media by implying he intended to play against Ohio State. He did not, however.
Moore was asked if Hausmann remained on the team, and whether the program expected him to participate in the bowl. Moore did not directly answer either question about his senior captain and starting green-dot linebacker.
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“Ernest is going through some things that I don’t really want to talk on or speak on,” Moore said. “Just things from a personal standpoint. He’s also been dealing with a thumb (injury) that happened in the Northwestern game.
“So just things that he’s been dealing with, and we’re just here to support him. That’s it.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football RBs Justice Haynes, Jordan Marshall to play vs Texas?
