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Jim Harbaugh praises J.J. McCarthy for being 'on the money' in Indiana win

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham•10/11/22•

AndrewEdGraham

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 01: Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines talks with head coach Jim Harbaugh before the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium, on October 1, 2022 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***J.J. McCarthy;JIm Harbaugh

Michigan’s 31-10 win over Indiana on Saturday was spurred by a 21-0 second half from the Wolverines, and that second half was fueled by three touchdowns from quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Indiana challenged Michigan to pass by hitting the Wolverines with a barrage of run blitzes early and often. Eventually, Michigan obliged and McCarthy sharply operated the offense when the game flow dictated a high volume of pass attempts. Head coach Jim Harbaugh had heaps of praise for his signal caller after the game.

“I love the way J.J. responded. He was so cool and calm back there,” Harbaugh said. “Picked up a couple first downs with his legs. Was pretty much on the money. I mean 28-of-34, somewhere in that range. And that’s pretty darn good.”

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McCarthy’s actual stat line: 28-of-36 for 304 yards passing with three touchdowns to one interception, plus four carries for 26 yards.

It’s the first time he’s attempted more than 30 passes in a college game — his previous high for attempts was 26. And more importantly to Harbaugh, he eclipsed 300 passing yards for the first time.

“And 300 yards, it’s kinda cool. I think a lot of quarterbacks I’ve been around, when they get that first 300-yard game, ‘Oh, I can do this now. I can really do this,'” Harbaugh said. “And this usual bodes well and propels them onward.” 

With running back Blake Corum on pace for a historic season, McCarthy blossoming as a passer could see the Michigan offense ascending to new heights. There’s no better time than the present for the Wolverines, as they get undefeated Penn State for a Top 10 matchup in Ann Arbor this weekend.