The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490206
20 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2023 before heading to the locker room. "Just a phenomenal effort by J.J. A ti- tan of an effort," Harbaugh said. "I'm so proud of him, just like he was my own son. I mean … what a competitor he is. [Grad wide receiver] Ronnie Bell, [senior defen- sive back] Mike Sainristil — it could go on. "The J.J. McCarthy that I know on an every-day, day-in, day-out basis — daily, weekly, monthly, yearly … he's a great, great player, a great talented player. Great athlete, great leader. And the best thing about him is he always puts the team above himself and is a tremendous competitor, just phenomenal in his first season as a starter. I don't think there's anybody that's ever done anything quite like what he did this year, and that was true in this game." His teammates knew it, too. Corum, the junior running back, watched the team from the sideline on crutches after the quarterback's 2-interception game against TCU and helped ease his pain after the game, noting it was a team loss, not just McCarthy's. "He has a fire lit under him right now," Corum said. "He wants to attack this offseason and be better than ever. Being in the backfield with J.J., I saw him grow literally each week. He kept becoming better and better and better. I can't wait to watch him, share the backfield with him again, because he's a tremendous quarterback." And now, with Corum officially com- ing back, the Wolverines should have one of the best backfields in the country again with him, McCarthy and Edwards all coming back to lead the charge. SHORT OF PERFECT, BUT A GREAT SEASON They'll do it, once again, with unfin- ished business on their minds. In the days leading up to the Fiesta Bowl, several of the Wolverines talked about wanting "more" and not being satisfied just get- ting to this point. Last year, they didn't know what to expect. This year, they in- sisted, they were prepared. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan, and they lost to a team they should have beaten … a TCU squad that one week later was destroyed by Georgia in the na- tional championship game, 65-7. But seasons with Big Ten titles and blowout wins over Ohio State should never be taken for granted, and they won't be in Schembechler Hall. It was an ardu- ous climb from the disappointing 2-4, COVID-shortened season in 2020, but a quick one, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said … and not a surprise to him. "I knew the talent we had. We knew the players; we knew what we had," Moore said. "We knew the ability the players have. So, it was just helping them, put- ting them in the position to develop the mentality. And really, the culture and ev- erything was built … the brotherhood was built by the players. "They bonded together and said, 'You know what? If you don't want to be here, then don't be here. If you guys are going to be here, this is how we're going to do it. This is how we're going to prepare. This is how we're going to fight. This is how we're going to play.' And that really carried over from then until now." They never made excuses, and they had the depth to overcome adversity when guys went down. Moore's group alone went through several different combina- tions due to injuries through the year — left tackle Ryan Hayes, right tackle Trente Jones, left guard Trevor Keegan, and guard/tackle Karsen Barnhart all missed time — and the Wolverines went without projected starting linebacker Nikhai Hill- Green for the entire year. The junior was expected to miss some time, but he never fully recovered. Edwards' emergence, though, was the biggest piece. Not every team can replace a Heisman Trophy candidate and not miss a beat, but the sophomore stepped up when his teammates needed him most. His 75- and 85-yard touchdown runs at Despite two pick-sixes, McCarthy kept Michigan in the game, going 20-of-34 passing for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed 10 times for 52 yards, including a 20-yard score. PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF