The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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20 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2022 shorts. They were able to get the ball to third-and-one, third-and-two and convert those first downs and keep the chains moving. We couldn't get them out of that rhythm early." Michigan moved the ball early, but McNamara and Co. couldn't put points on the board. Harbaugh took a risk early near the Georgia 40 in going for it on fourth-and-four on U-M's first drive. It backfired, and the Bulldogs drove the field quickly for their second score. Just like that, Michigan was in a hole. "Offensively, we were able to make [a first down] just about every drive," Harbaugh said. "We had a first down in the first four drives. We had one three- and-out and then weren't able to con- vert, make the big play, get the ball into scoring territory. "We had some fourth downs, didn't convert those, and then unfortunately we turned the ball over a few times. We lost the ball in the lights one time on an offensive throw, and they got an inter- ception in the end zone." Harbaugh credited Georgia's game plan on both offense and defense. At the same time, it was clear early Michi- gan didn't have the size and skill the Bulldogs did at every position. The Wolverines got a second-half spark from freshman quarterback J.J. Mc- Carthy, who led Michigan's only touch- down drive with a long scoring throw to freshman Andrel Anthony. McCarthy also added 24 yards on the ground. "He made some good plays. I think that was a coach's decision [to go with him]," sixth-year senior center Andrew Vastardis said. "I'm not sure what the motives were. "But whoever is back there, we trust. Like we've said all year, this foundation is built on trust. We know the coaches trust each other as men, and then we trust each other as football players." It all comes down to fighting for the man to your left and to your right, Vas- tardis said, something they did all year. He's anxious to see if McCarthy and the young guys can build on what they ac- complished this season. "I was excited with the plays he made, excited for the growth," Vastardis said. "I'm excited for the future of Michigan football, because we have a bunch of great talent returning." NEXT STEP And that's the goal now — to make this season a cornerstone in the founda- tion of something bigger … something Michigan football used to be. Perennial contenders need depth at every posi- tion, and that often starts under center. Harbaugh gave both of his signal- callers opportunities throughout the year, though McNamara was the clear starter. McNamara finished with 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns passing for the year, McCarthy 516 and five scores. "We know we have two great quarter- backs. We make no apologies for that," Harbaugh said. "… The protection just wasn't as good as it needed to be, and J.J. gave us more of a chance to escape it, avoid it and run. "That was the reason we made that switch. Like I said, we've got two great quarterbacks." Plus, several young guys who seemed to have breakout performances through- out the year. After a win over Penn State, Michigan's second big come-from-be- hind road victory (the first being at Ne- braska, 32-29), Harbaugh said it felt like each week he was listing off "firsts" or "bests" for several players. Corum's 171 yards vs. Washington, for example, marked a career high, as did Anthony's out-of-the-blue, 155- yard, two-touchdown receiving game at Michigan State. Though the Wolverines lost in con- troversial fashion, having a touchdown overturned by replay when it shouldn't have been in a 37-33 loss (U-M's only reg- ular-season setback of the year), the MSU game brought out the best in several Wol- verines. It was also McNamara's breakout showing (383 yards and two scores). Freshman receiver Roman Wilson U-M turned to freshman quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the second half of the Orange Bowl, where he totaled 121 yards and a score through the air. Players insist they are confident in both McCarthy and redshirt freshman counterpart Cade McNamara. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL