The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2023 THE WOLVERINE 19 who picked up 401 yards in the two games heading into the contest. However, McCarthy's two pick-sixes along with the team's multiple red zone failures and second-half defensive dis- appointment led to a 51-45 loss to the Horned Frogs in what was easily U-M's worst performance of the year. Michigan fell behind by as many as 19, battled back to make it a three-point game in the fourth quarter, but gave up big plays on third down — including a 76- yard catch-and-run by receiver Quentin Johnston that pushed the TCU lead back to 10 — in falling short. "They did an outstanding job, cracked off some really big plays when we just didn't get fitted right, and that was disap- pointing," Harbaugh said of TCU after the game. "There were big plays being made, mistakes being made — both teams. We just had one less than we needed, and they had one more [play]. That was what ended up being the difference in the game." That, and Michigan's red zone failures. The Wolverines drove to the 2-yard line on their first series, led by a 54-yard Ed- wards run on the first play from scrim- mage, before a trick play failed and U-M turned it over on downs. Later, a first- and-goal botched handoff to converted linebacker Kalel Mullings from the 1-yard line resulted in a fumble. Those two plays were critical. The first, a reverse in which freshman tight end Colston Loveland was supposed to throw back to McCarthy, was stymied when a cornerback stayed home. "We thought it would work, and I take full responsibility for it not working," Harbaugh admitted. "I should have had something different called. Now … put that one on me. They had it wired, and they had it well defended. Sitting here now, I definitely wish I would have called a different one. "That was one — we were one short of executing touchdown. The turnover … they made their fair share of mistakes, we made ours. They made their big plays, we made our big plays, and we just had one fewer big play. [They had] one less misfire." But he was proud of the fight, he said, despite the disappointing loss. Trailing 21-6 at the half, the Wolverines clawed back. A field goal from grad student Jake Moody — after his record 59-yarder be- fore the half — made it 21-9, and a 34- yard McCarthy touchdown pass to fifth- year receiver Ronnie Bell made it 21-16. TCU would score the next two touch- downs, including McCarthy's second pick-six, and it was 41-22 late in the third quarter. But McCarthy heated up, and the Wol- verines scored twice in less than 2 min- utes to cut the margin to three points, 41-38. The Johnston touchdown proved too much to overcome, though the Wol- verines still had the ball with a minute to go down only six despite all the miscues. "I'm really proud of our guys," Har- baugh said. "I was talking to our guys … 'You don't quit. You don't give up — you never let up, you never give in. You just keep playing one play at a time.' "I could have been easily standing in our locker room at the end of our ballgame and congratulating a whole locker room of heroes, because that's what they are. And that's what they have been this entire season, including this game." J.J. MCCARTHY CAME OF AGE, DESPITE MISTAKES Understandably, McCarthy took it hard. He did some great things in the game, putting up 343 yards passing with 2 scores and rushing 10 times for 52, in- cluding a 20-yarder on a keeper. In hind- sight, many felt the coaches should have gotten him more involved in the running game to combat TCU's run-downhill-at- the-snap mentality. He offered only one statement in the postgame before leaving the podium. "All credit to them," McCarthy said of TCU after the game. "They won the game in the 60 minutes that were played. They're a good football team. No matter what it is, they got the win. "We fought our hearts out. There are a lot of things that we could have done bet- ter. I can't wait to watch the tape." Then he made a vow to the fan base. "We'll be back, and I promise that," McCarthy said. Rather than dwell on the negative, Har- baugh chose to focus on what his first- year starter did right. All year, McCarthy led an offense that got better as games progressed and made huge plays in the biggest games. He was elite against the Buckeyes in throwing for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns, and he was always about team. He watched the TCU celebration like he did the Georgia celebration a year ago Jim Harbaugh "I could have been easily standing in our locker room at the end of our ballgame and congratulating a whole locker room of heroes, because that's what they are. And that's what they have been this entire season, including this game." Michigan's defense didn't have enough answers for TCU quarterback Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs' offense in the second half. PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF