Michigan football: J.J. McCarthy's scrambling from an offensive lineman's perspective

The Michigan Wolverines football offensive line played well in a 34-27 win over Maryland, but it can’t take all of the credit for sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy averaging 3.37 seconds in the pocket, tied for the 17th-most time to throw in college football in Week 4, per PFF. McCarthy did a lot of it with his legs, buying extra time to either tuck and run or continue looking down the field.

There’s no better example than when McCarthy moved up, back, to the left and to the right for 13 seconds (!) before passing the line of scrimmage by the Michigan sideline and moving the chains on a 3rd and 7 midway through the second quarter.

Guarantee: This will not be the last time you see this J.J. McCarthy run to get the 1st down. 👀@jjmccarthy09 x @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/fjpJLFmghe

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 24, 2022

In pass-rush situations, Michigan’s offensive linemen make sure they’re in the right position, using the right footwork, blocking the right guy. Sometimes, with McCarthy behind center, they notice their opponents up front disengage and start running from side to side rather than to the middle of the pocket. They know, at that point, the Michigan quarterback is making something happen with his legs.

“It’s a little interesting,” a smiling Michigan junior right guard Zak Zinter said of blocking while McCarthy runs around. “Once you feel a defender starting to sprint right, you’re like, ‘Alright, J.J.’s rolling out of the pocket.’

“Just trying to keep them as engaged with us as long as possible, giving J.J. that time he needs. And then, it’s really just kind of a feel it out, J.J.’s going to run right, and then you’ve got to cut them off and he’s going to roll the other way.

“It’s definitely a little interesting, but we’ll get better as it as it keeps going, as we get more time at it. Just trying not to get holding calls as he’s running all over the place.”

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Not receiving a holding call is the No. 1 goal in those situations, and it can be tough as the defender runs to the side and an offensive lineman has to change his strategy on a dime.

“Yeah, it’s definitely more risk for a holding call, just because [McCarthy is] scrambling to the right and taking off, instead of sitting right behind us,” Zinter explained. “So we’ve definitely got to be more aware of not getting holding calls.”

Michigan players often say practices are so tough and crisp that it makes the game easier. But in this case, it’s nearly impossible to simulate blocking for McCarthy in scramble situations during practice.

“In practice is one thing, but I think the game version of scrambling is a lot different than in practice, because no one is getting near the quarterback, he’s got that halo around him to protect him [during practice],” the Michigan offensive lineman said. “It’s definitely different in game situations, but we do get a little bit of it during the week.”

Michigan offensive line has J.J. McCarthy’s back heading into toughest test, environment yet

Michigan’s pass protection — minus some breakdowns here and there — has been so far, so good with McCarthy behind center through four games. The quarterback has been pressured on just 15.6 percent of his drop-backs. Senior signal-caller Cade McNamara, last year’s starter, was pressured on 32.7 percent of his drop-backs in 2021, for comparison’s sake, and the Wolverines’ offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for having the best unit in the country.

Michigan has yielded 1.75 sacks per game, tied for 56th in the country, but only a couple have been the offensive line’s fault with McCarthy in the game.

This week brings a new challenge for the Michigan offense. Not only is it the Wolverines’ first game against an elite defense — Iowa ranks first nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 5.8 points per game — it’s their first road game. McCarthy has played on the road before, and been up and down, but this is his first test away from The Big House as the Michigan starter.

Zinter and the offensive line have complete confidence in their quarterback.

“J.J.’s played in away games. It’ll technically be his first start in an away game, but we have the experience up front that we’ll be able to give to him,” Zinter said. “We’ll let him know that we got his back; he’s got ours. And I’m not worried about it at all.”

With McNamara having suffered a lower-body injury in Week 3 against UConn, Michigan is a bit thin at quarterback. It’ll be up to the offensive line to make sure an Iowa defense that is averaging 3 sacks per game keeps McCarthy on his feet.

“They have a really good defense, and I’m excited to show everyone what we’re going to do this week,” Zinter said.

And for those worried about Michigan’s history at Kinnick Stadium — the Wolverines haven’t won at the venue since 2005 — that same level of concern doesn’t appear to have made its way inside Schembechler Hall.

“I honestly don’t think it matters at all,” Zinter said. “It’s going to be our first away game. It’s going to be loud; we’re going to have to focus on communication this week to make sure we’re all on the same page, but I’m excited.

“None of us have ever been there, so it’ll be cool to be able to play there. I’ve heard it’s loud, so it’ll be a fun game.”