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JJ McCarthy on halftime spat between Michigan and Penn State: 'I wouldn't be surprised if they started it'

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•10/15/22•

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Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy gestures on the field during a game on Sept. 10, 2022. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

At halftime of Michigan vs. Penn State on Saturday, both teams got into a spat in the tunnel. It’s unclear how it started, but Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy took a guess after the game.

McCarthy met with reporters after Michigan defeated Penn State 41-17 at The Big House and offered quite a quote about the interaction.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they started it,” McCarthy said, via The Michigan Insider’s Alejandro Zuniga. “But we finished it.”

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McCarthy had a huge day for the Wolverines, throwing for 145 yards on 17 of 24 passing while also rushing for 57 yards on the ground to lead the offensive attack. Michigan looked the part on both sides of the ball, and McCarthy added more fuel to the fire with a quote from Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

“Like Coach Harbaugh said in the locker room, ‘It’s a butt-kicking in every which way a butt can be kicked,'” he said, via ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

McCarthy and the Wolverines will try to ride the momentum from the win into the bye week before taking on Michigan State Oct. 29.

Michigan, Penn State have halftime spat in tunnel before second half

A hotly contested first half between No. 4 Michigan and No. 10 Penn State turned into a tense moment in the halftime tunnel before going back onto the field for the second half.

While nothing physical happened, there is some obvious jawing painted with four-letter words and a middle finger or two thrown in the mix, too. It’s safe to say the second half will be a physical one.

The Wolverines led the Nittany Lions 16-14 heading into the third quarter. A pick-six from Penn State’s Curtis Jacobs after a double-tipped pass from Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s changed the entire first half for the Nittany Lions and kept them in the ball game.