The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1484283
30 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2022 A disappointing beginning to the sea- son for senior quarterback Cade McNamara, last year's starter and a Big Ten champion, came to an even more discouraging end in early November. McNamara posted a photo on his In- stagram story of him in a hospital bed with the caption "here we go!" the week of Nov. 7, and he expanded on the knee surgery he underwent with a follow-up post Nov. 10. McNamara revealed he also played in- jured last season, and that his injury early this year required an operation. He was pictured in a wheelchair with a wrap and brace on his right leg, but he appeared to be in good spirits. "I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone for the love and support," the Michigan signal-caller wrote in the Ins- tagram caption. "Turns out, I have been dealing with a serious injury since the middle of last season. Then, after suf- fering another serious knee injury this season, my goal was to get back on the field as soon as possible. "Sadly, I was unable to heal properly, but thanks to Dr. ElAttrache he was able to help me determine exactly what I needed to do to come back the best ver- sion of myself." He was speaking of Dr. Neal ElAt- trache, an orthopedic surgeon special- izing in sports medicine at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. He's also the head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Rams and is considered one of the best in the nation. McNamara took a hit to his lower body in a win over UConn, the third game of the season, when the offensive line pro- tection broke down. It appeared he suf- fered a knee injury, though head coach Jim Harbaugh never confirmed it, only saying, "Cade got his foot caught on the ground when he was hit from the side" and adding he would "miss some time." The senior captain led Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten championship, the pro- gram's first since 2004. He completed 210 of his 327 pass attempts for 2,576 yards with 15 touchdowns and 6 inter- ceptions, along with 1 rushing touch- down. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media. McNamara led Michigan to the College Football Playoff, where the Wolverines fell to Georgia 34-11 in the Orange Bowl. "What lies ahead is a lot of work and rehab, but I will come back better than ever!" McNamara said on his social me- dia account. There's been no timetable given for his return. Sophomore J.J. McCarthy has been starting in his place after earning the job with an outstanding performance against Hawaii in the second game of this season. McNamara completed 9 of 18 passes for 136 yards with a touchdown in a start and win over Colorado State in the opener. In his three games played this season, McNamara completed 14 of 25 passes for 180 yards with a touchdown and a pick. — Chris Balas U-M'S 2023 SCHEDULE OFFICIALLY SET IN STONE Michigan football is still finishing up its 2022 campaign, but clarity was provided on what the future holds for the Wolverines on the field. The Big Ten Conference released its official sched- ules for the 2023 season on Oct. 26 with U-M set to open conference play on Sept. 23, 2023, at home vs. Rutgers. Divisions will stay for one more sea- son before the dynamic is changed when UCLA and USC join in 2024. Michigan's nonconference slate had previously been set and includes three non-Power Five schools for the second year in a row. East Carolina will open the season at The Big House on Sept. 2, while UNLV and Bowling Green will fol- low on Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, respectively. Michigan will play four home games and five dates on the road in Big Ten play. The Wolverines will play two of their three crossover games with the Big Ten West on the road (at Nebraska, Sept. 30, at Minnesota, Oct. 7). Purdue will come to Ann Arbor on Nov. 4. Other key dates include a road game at Michigan State on Oct. 21 prior to an Oct. 28 bye. Michigan will travel to Penn State on Nov. 11. Michigan's home date with Ohio State has been installed on the last weekend of the season on Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor. The 2023 season will be the first under the Big Ten's new television contracts, which includes games on FOX, CBS and NBC in primetime in addition to the Big Ten Network. — Anthony Broome MICHIGAN 2023 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent Location Sept. 2 EAST CAROLINA Ann Arbor Sept. 9 UNLV Ann Arbor Sept. 16 BOWLING GREEN Ann Arbor Sept. 23 RUTGERS Ann Arbor Sept. 30 at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. Oct. 7 at Minnesota Minneapolis, Minn. Oct. 14 INDIANA Ann Arbor Oct. 21 at Michigan State East Lansing, Mich. Oct. 28 Bye — MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Cade McNamara Has Surgery, Out Indefinitely After battling through injury during last year's Big Ten championship season and reinjuring his right knee in the Sept. 17 game against UConn, senior captain Cade McNamara announced via social media that he under- went successful knee surgery Nov. 9. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL