Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) high-fives fans as he exits the field after Michigan defeat Northern Illinois 63-10 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Junfu Han via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Jim Harbaugh: JJ McCarthy will be starter moving forward

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 9/11/22

Jim Harbaugh on Saturday night made an official announcement regarding his starting quarterback.

Harbaugh shared after his Michigan Wolverines dismantled Hawaii 56-10 that JJ McCarthy would be the team’s starter moving forward.

Per Jim Harbaugh, J.J. McCarthy has earned the starting job "on merit." Said he has really come on the last 2.5 weeks to raise his game. Says Cade McNamara will deal with it, has "gravel in his gut," and that "it's part of football."

— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) September 11, 2022

Though Harbaugh made the announcement, it was the play of the quarterbacks that made the determination.

In two games, McCarthy outplayed Cade McNamara.

McCarthy had a “near flawless performance” against Hawaii, Harbaugh said. The sophomore was 11/12 for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns. The one incompletion was a drop. McNamara was 4/6 for 26 yards and an interception, with -17 rushing yards.

McNamara helped lead Michigan to a Big Ten Championship, win over Ohio State, and spot in the CFP last season. He did a lot for the program and deserved to have a shot to continue leading the team. Frankly, he should have been the team’s starter in 2020 too over Joe Milton (Harbaugh really blew that decision).

But it wasn’t Michigan that took his starting job away. And it certainly wasn’t Harbaugh or unfair coaching staff. It was McCarthy, whose play has been superior.

Harbaugh said the QB competition would be a two-game event that could extend if necessary.

After two games:
McCarthy: 15-16, 259 yards, 3 TD (93.7%); 4 car, 66 yards, 1 TD (6.3 points per drive)
McNamara: 13-24, 162 yards, 1 TD (54.1%); -25 rush (2.09 points per drive)

— Brandon Justice (@BrandonJustice_) September 11, 2022

The Wolverines are 2-0 and host UConn next. Their schedule doesn’t get its toughest until mid-October when they host Michigan State and Penn State in consecutive weeks. They could very realistically be 11-0 going into the Ohio State game this season, which will be in Columbus.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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