After Saturday’s game, Harbaugh named McCarthy the starter for Week 3. How that plays out in the locker room remains to be seen, but the fact that coach Jim Harbaugh used the first two games to put them through an audition was drama enough. Yes, it was against winless, unranked Hawai’i, but he seemed to do all he could to separate himself from Cade McNamara, who started in Week 1. McCarthy was nearly perfect in his debut, completing 11 of 12 passes in the first half for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Reason for optimism: In theory, Michigan’s quarterback saga should be over. Heather Dinich, ESPNĬollege Football Playoff Week 2 lessons: Notre Dame’s done, Alabama’s shaky and the field is open He’s also Michigan’s new starting quarterback, next week against Connecticut and going forward. He’s the U-M football program’s most heralded quarterback recruit since Chad Henne, but he’s Henne blessed with elusiveness and multiple extra gears. McCarthy gives Michigan the opportunity for a dynamic result on every play, and every series. Need time and space purchased for a scoring play to develop? The kid features the legs as well as the arm to make it happen, like he did on a scramble TD pass to senior wideout Cornelius Johnson during the 42-0 first-half tidal wave. Need a rifle shot of a pass zipped in between defenders at the goal line? There’s McCarthy, blazing one into the waiting hands of grad wideout Ronnie Bell. McCarthy underscored with striking emphasis his ability to make plays, get Michigan into the end zone, and check all the boxes when it comes to individual ability. Yes, the Warriors look like one of the worst teams in college football this year. You want a dynamic option at quarterback? I’m your huckleberry … The Kid delivered a statement worthy of Doc Holiday at the OK Corral.
This was all about McCarthy, and what he could deliver in his first start, regardless of who stood (or stumbled) in the way. That was over before the team from paradise ever boarded a jet to humiliation hell on the way to a $1.9-million check. Wolverine Watch: McCarthy completes the takeover It’s a long season, and they might need him at some point. McCarthy is the guy going forward, and you hope - at least the sane portion of the fan base does - that there are still some good moments for him going forward. Sadly, a number of zeroes in the crowd booed like it was his fault, the ultimate “what have you done for me lately.” He looked like a defeated man when Harbaugh put him back in with the first-string offensive line and threw a terrible pick toward a well-covered Andrel Anthony. If he wasn’t already feeling the pressure before, he certainly was in the moments that followed. Three of his starting linemen whiffed in succession on three straight snaps - Ryan Hayes, Trente Jones, and Zak Zinter - leading to a punt. In fairness, he didn’t have a chance on his first half possession. But to say McNamara lost his confidence at this point would be an understatement. Harbaugh said all the right things about his senior having “gravel in his gut” and predicting he’d be ready when his number was called.
Unfortunately, the weight of the competition seems to have broken McNamara. Now there’s no question, and you wish it was only because McCarthy was that good (he was). Heading into this game, though, you wondered if Harbaugh might have a decision to make in a few weeks - go with the experienced, Big Ten champion quarterback who has played in such tough environments or roll with the gunslinger with the golden arm. It will be about moving the ball in Iowa City in a few weeks, against Penn State and Michigan State at home, and - of course - in Columbus at the end of November. McCarthy won’t be judged on what he did against Hawai’I (or UConn, even Maryland in Big Ten play in two weeks). Devin Gardner set records against an Indiana team that looked like it was playing with 6 defenders. John Navarre shined against Ball State and Rice, replacing injured Drew Henson in 2000. To be clear, we’ve seen great performances by Michigan quarterbacks against overmatched opponents before. Michigan 56, Hawai’i 10 - Notes, quotes, and observations
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