Jim Harbaugh Praises J.J. McCarthy After Rose Bowl Win: 'Greatest Quarterback'
It wasn't a perfect night for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. His first attempt was intercepted -- but thankfully for the Wolverines' sake -- it was called back after review discovered Caleb Downs was initially out of bounds before intercepting a throw that McCarthy actually meant to throw away.
McCarthy was a little errant throwing a few passes behind his intended receivers that could've gone for first downs instead of punting the ball away. But the thing about junior is: he never gives up and always moves on to the next play.
McCarthy led the Wolverines 75 yards down the field in the final minutes to tie the football game up before the Michigan defense forced a stop to head to overtime. He not only threw three scores, but he passed for 221 yards and had zero recorded interceptions.
It was a much improved evening from last season's playoff game against TCU. McCarthy threw two pick-sixes that ultimately helped cost Michigan a win against the Horned Frogs. After the game last season, McCarthy went up on stage and told reporters Michigan would be back.
"The team was just not going to be denied," said Harbaugh. "J.J. said it when he walked off this same podium last year in the semifinal game. He said, 'We're going to be back'. What he told me was not only are we going to be back, but 'we're going to win'. And there he did.
"And in overtime against Alabama, I think the last quarterback to win in overtime against Alabama was none other than Tom Brady."
McCarthy's record speaks for itself at Michigan. As the starting quarterback he has lost just one game in two seasons and finds ways after ways to help his team win. McCarthy has the arm talent to put the team on his back, can utilize his legs when needed, and is one of the best teammates and leaders the Wolverines have seen.
Those are big reasons as to why Harbaugh believes McCarthy is the greatest quarterback to play at the University of Michigan.
"I've said it before, but right here, this is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan – college football history," Harbaugh stated. "Got a long way to go to get to get where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT. He lapped the field when it comes to that."
"But in a college career there's been nobody at Michigan better than J.J. I know we talk about it an amalgamation of quarterbacks. He is that guy."
Michigan will need another solid performance from McCarthy on Monday night when the Wolverines will face Washington for a national championship.
