J.J. McCarthy, Michigan football eager for first road trip
The Michigan Wolverines take their show on the road for the first time this season on Saturday when they head to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. And the team could not be any more fired up about it.
Over the last few years, the first set of road trips of the year helped set a tone and were a key step in the development of back-to-back Big Ten title campaigns. The first month of the year was spent in the confines of Michigan Stadium.
Now, it is time to pack a 4-0 record, a defense that has been suffocating, and an offense that still has so much more to unlock.
“I’m not gonna lie to you: Road games are probably my favorite,” junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy said on Monday. “I love the Big House, and it’s an amazing atmosphere, but there’s something about going into someone else’s building and hearing all the boos and feeling all the hate. I’m getting chills right now. It just brings a different spark and ignites a different fire inside of us. And there’s nothing better than going into a stadium that’s jumping and going crazy. And then by halftime, it’s as quiet as a mouse.
“That’s what we’re going to try to do this weekend. Tremendous respect for Nebraska and their defense. Coach Tony White’s done a great job. They’re very well-coached. And we just can’t wait for it because it’s gonna be a great test for us.”
Two seasons ago, Michigan went to Nebraska and walked out with a 32-29 victory in a night game that tested the resolve of the Wolverines. It was an atmosphere they have not forgotten ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
“There was a special atmosphere in that game,” graduate guard Trevor Keegan said. “It was definitely probably my favorite place to play as well. Their fans are so nice. We beat them, and they were like, ‘Hey, congratulations, great game, you played so well.’ My thought was like, ‘are they like messing with me?’
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Oklahoma fires OC
Seth Littrell out as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, per Sooner Scoop
- 2New
SEC fines Vols
SEC punishes Tennessee for field storming
- 3
Texas punished
SEC punishes Texas over trash debacle
- 4Hot
AP Poll
Oregon Ducks take No. 1 spot in latest AP Top 25
- 5
Coaches Poll
Top 25 coaches rankings released after Week 8
“But like 20 more of them did the same thing. It’s an awesome place to play. I know my family had a great time up there. Everybody enjoyed the environment. Especially when they did the light show at the end of the third quarter. It’s definitely a special place to play. Definitely going to have to work a little crowd noise this week.”
Keegan is part of a Michigan offensive line that is still working itself into form, and this week will be critical for them in developing the edge they need moving forward. It starts with honing in on the details and continuing to develop the chemistry needed to dictate how a game goes on the road.
“Meetings are going to be big this week,” Keegan said. “Definitely work in the crowd noise in practice. We’re gelling really well in practice. We’re practicing really hard. Scout teams are going to give us a great look. Little things to go over.”
Michigan’s next test comes in the form of a road trip to Nebraska on Saturday afternoon, set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX.
