The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490206
J.J. McCARTHY'S 'TITANIC EFFORT' NOT ENOUGH TO ADVANCE IN PLAYOFF Michigan's season came to a bit- ter end with a 51-45 loss to the TCU Horned Frogs in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff at the Fiesta Bowl Dec. 31 in Glendale, Ariz. Despite the loss, sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy played arguably the best game of his career. He passed for a ca- reer-high 343 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 10 rushes for 52 yards and 1 score. There were also self-inflicted wounds. McCarthy threw a pair of interceptions that were both returned for TCU touch- downs. Without one of them, a case can be made that Michigan wins the game. "It was a titanic effort," head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the loss. "Just a phenomenal effort by J.J, a titan of an effort. I am so proud of him just like he was my own son. What a competi- tor he is. "The J.J. McCarthy that I know on a day-in, day-out basis — daily, weekly, monthly, yearly — he's a great player, great talented player, great athlete, great leader. And the best thing about him is he always puts the team above himself. Tremendous competitor. Just phenomenal." McCarthy, who for the second sea- son in a row stayed out on the field to see the team that bested Michigan celebrate, was understandably short and somber after the loss. But he made sure everyone knew he intends to be back on the biggest stage imaginable. "All credit to them," McCarthy said. "They won the game in the 60 minutes that were played. They're a good foot- ball team. No matter what it is, they got the win. Fought our hearts out. There's a lot of things that we could have done better. Can't wait to watch the tape. But we'll be back, and I promise that." — Anthony Broome PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF