J.J. McCarthy was comparatively quiet for the primary 55 minutes and 19 seconds of Michigan’s School 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 speeding as soon as for an additional 16 yards and accounting for 3 first downs on Michigan’s closing 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 additional time, 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 additionally earned him some lofty reward from Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, who expressed his perception that what McCarthy has completed during the last two years is correct up there with the all-time faculty greats.
“I’ve stated it earlier than, however proper right here, that is the best quarterback within the College of Michigan — faculty soccer historical past,” Harbaugh instructed reporters after the sport. “Bought a protracted approach to go to get to get the place Tom Brady finally obtained to, which is the GOAT. He lapped the sector on the subject of that. However in a university 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 faculty quarterback within the final decade, forward of fellows like Trevor Lawrence (34-2, .944), Tua Tagovailoa (22-2, .917) and Deshaun Watson (32-3, .914).
Actually, McCarthy’s profession win share is healthier than a few of the program’s greatest 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 Massive Ten championships and School Soccer Playoff berths, and their first nationwide championship recreation look since 1997.
