J.J. McCarthy was comparatively quiet for the primary 55 minutes and 19 seconds of Michigan’s Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal matchup towards the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday.
However when the Wolverines wanted him most, he confirmed up in a giant manner. McCarthy accomplished 3 of 4 passes for 60 yards and a landing whereas dashing as soon as for one more 16 yards and accounting for 3 first downs on Michigan’s remaining drive of the fourth quarter, main the Wolverines 75 yards down the sector on eight performs to tie the sport at 20 and ship the Rose Bowl to time beyond regulation, the place they knocked off Alabama to advance to the nationwide championship recreation.
McCarthy’s late-game heroics not solely saved Michigan’s season but in addition earned him some lofty reward from Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, who expressed his perception that what McCarthy has completed over the past two years is correct up there with the all-time school greats.
“I’ve stated it earlier than, however proper right here, that is the best quarterback within the College of Michigan — school soccer historical past,” Harbaugh told reporters after the sport. “Received an extended approach to go to get to get the place Tom Brady finally bought to, which is the GOAT. He lapped the sector in the case of that. However in a school profession, there’s been no person at Michigan higher than J.J.”
With Monday’s win over the Crimson Tide, McCarthy is 26-1 as Michigan’s beginning QB. His .962 profitable share is tops amongst any school quarterback within the final decade, forward of men like Trevor Lawrence (34-2, .944), Tua Tagovailoa (22-2, .917) and Deshaun Watson (32-3, .914).
The truth is, McCarthy’s profession win share is healthier than among the program’s finest QBs together with Brady (20-5), Chad Henne (34-13), John Navarre (31-11) and Brian Griese (17-5).
In his two seasons because the starter, he’s led the Wolverines to back-to-back Large Ten championships and Faculty Soccer Playoff berths, and their first nationwide championship recreation look since 1997.