2022 Michigan Football Game 2 – Michigan 56 Hawaii 10 Photos
2022 Michigan Wolverine Depth Chart — Defense – Game 2 (Projected)
2022 Michigan Wolverine Depth Chart — Offense – Game 2 (Projected)
Michigan Football Week 2 – QB J.J. McCarthy – Improving Every Single Day is My Obligation
9/3/22 Michigan 51 Colorado State 7
9/6/22 Week 2 Player Availability
9/10/22 Hawaii @ Michigan
Q:
JJ, just to clarify how did Jim breach the idea of the quarterback competition with you and Cade and what exactly did he tell you guys?
McCarthy:
Initially or after camp?
Q:
Both.
McCarthy:
Initially, he just kind of told both of us that the best player is going to play, and it’s open competition, and just go out there and be us and whatever happens happens. And after the fact, he just gave us the whole rundown of how he doesn’t have a clear, decisive decision on who’s going to be the guy. So he’s gonna give us opportunities in the first two games.
Q:
How does this week different for you as far as the way the practice goes and how do you approach it?
McCarthy:
Nothing really differs. I mean, going right when I stepped in the door here, I was always prepared to be the guy, snap one, game one, whatever it was, and now it’s just having that reassurance that I’m going to be in there snap one. So it kind of clears all the worry and indecisiveness going into it, and it just builds more confidence honestly.
Q:
What is your confidence level going into this,
McCarthy:
Extremely, you know, I mean, being around guys, like we have here, and being around coaches, like we have here, they just fill you with uber confidence, and just I’ve always been a guy to have extreme confidence in myself, and just being around guys like that and being around coaches like that just amplifies it even more,
Q:
Did feel yourself make a push in camp, and at what point do you feel like you could be the starter?
McCarthy:
I don’t necessarily feel like there was a certain time where I made a push, I just felt like it was constantly getting better every single day, getting 1 to 2 to 5% better every single day.
I was just so locked in on just myself and my improvement and getting back from this injury and all that…there was there was no like, direct okay, I’m ahead of him or anything like that. It was just, you know, I feel like I’m growing. I feel like I’m excelling with my guys. And it’s been like that constantly.
Improving every single day is my obligation
JJ McCarthy
Q:
As camp wound down and it got to be like maybe a day or two before coach informed you of what he wanted to do in week one and week two, how did you feel about what you had done your body of work in camp and did you feel like you had done enough to win the job?
McCarthy:
That decision is something that’s out of my control and I never really took into the thought process of, oh, I should be the guy, this is my job, like, I want it.
That’s not for me to decide, for me to decide what I’m doing every single day and how I’m improving every single day is my obligation. It has nothing to do with making that decision that I’m the man or anything like that.
Q:
JJ, when you weren’t able to throw in the spring, was there any part of you that was worried that you wouldn’t have time or you wouldn’t have the opportunity to be in this position?
McCarthy:
Yeah, for sure those thoughts crept in but you know, I just had trust in Phil and the trainers and all the people I saw outside of here that if I just stuck to the process, God got my back. And I was going to be in the position I’m in today.
The media really doesn’t want us to like each other and we just kind of laugh at it. We take on that challenge and embrace it. It’s made us so much better as players and as human beings.
JJ McCarthy on his relationship with Cade McNamara
Q:
Do you feel like you’re 100% now?
McCarthy:
Yes, sir. Yeah. 110%.
Q:
How would you describe your relationship with Cade during this quarterback competition?
McCarthy:
It’s been awesome. I mean, what better way to have a guy that’s that intelligent, that motivated, that driven, and just be able to observe him every single day and be able to kind of just replicate some of the parts of his game that I can improve on my game.
It’s just been an honest blessing for both of us to be in this position that we’ve been in and just grow from each other. I mean, there’s so many, like outside voices that try to make us dislike each other in a way and we’ve kind of taken that to heart. And there was a couple practices that were like, man, the media really doesn’t want us to like each other and we just kind of laugh at it. We take on that challenge and embrace it. And it’s made us so much better as players and as human beings.
Q:
JJ, you just said you were always prepared to be the guy, this week you are the guy- what do you want to prove this week?
McCarthy:
Just everything that I’ve been trying to prove since I walked in the door here, that I can win football games for this team and I love every single one of my guys, love every single part of this university and just exuberate that just endlessly throughout the game.
Q:
We talked to Coach Harbaugh on spring he was explaining how you guys saw pretty much every opinion you could on your shoulder to make sure you were doing the right thing for the long term. I guess what was that process like? Did you ever come close to thinking, okay, I might need to have surgery on this?
McCarthy:
It was a long process but I want to say that first initially it was just like, let’s get the surgery, let’s get this figured out because I’ve never had any arm issues before.
I was so worried about just being right for the future, but after getting the right opinions after going to guys who’ve been in situations like this before, we had just came down to the perfect plan, which was just rehab it, let it come let it heal naturally and it worked out for the best.
Q:
And it was the labrum was that kind of what they thought it was?
McCarthy:
Yes, sir.
Q:
When you’re running the ball, how do you balance like trying to pick up extra yards and embracing contact and sometimes getting down to avoid some big hits?
McCarthy:
Yeah, that’s something I’ve been having to work on because I’m a hockey player in my background. So I love the contact. I mean, it’s coming down to the point where I’m selfish when I just go out there and try to get hit and all that because I got the team on my back and I got to be healthy for them. But that’s just been a huge part of like, as I’m getting more experienced in this running game, is being able to avoid those big hits and not avoid those injuries.
Q:
How much have you thought about making your first start?
McCarthy:
I haven’t thought about it too much to be honest with you. It’s just like, I’m always person that it’s gonna come naturally. Like no matter what it is, I’m always gonna be ready for it. I’m extremely just hell bent on being in the present moment and whatever happens happens
Q:
What’s it like playing in the Big House at night?
McCarthy:
I want to say it’s like, Friday Night Lights on steroids. I mean, it’s just no better feeling. You feel like you’re out there, just backyard Nazareth Academy, just with your boys having the best time in the world just after school. It’s amplified like crazy, just because of the scene that it’s in. But yeah, it just feels like Friday Night Lights.
Q:
Where do you feel like you’ve made your biggest improvements since you’ve arrived?
McCarthy:
Just overall experience, I really took that experience factor seriously when I actually lived it. Like being here for a whole year just does monumental amounts to my game. But I also feel like just reading different defensive coverages become instinctual now, and just understanding different keys on the defense that I could just look at to simplify the thought processes going into each snap and just another one was the running game, like being able to run the ball, avoid those hits, and add a couple of different tools to my bag to get away from defenders.
Q:
With a running aspect that you provide, how much do you think the offense changes when you’re in the game? And how much does Coach Weiss kind of enhance maybe that part of the game and what plays are available?
McCarthy:
For sure. Yeah, Coach Weiss, coming from the Ravens and being with Lamar, he has so much just wisdom and knowledge about that quarterback running game. I do feel like it adds a different dimension to our run game. It allows just more space for blocks, it allows the second level defenders to worry about me running the ball. So it does a lot for us. It just makes bigger holes, creates more space on the perimeter And yeah, it does very good things.
Q:
How much does it enhance the passing aspect of it?
McCarthy:
I feels like huge. I mean, anytime you can run the ball effectively, you’re going to be able to pass the ball effectively, so huge.
Q:
Jim said this week that you were running in four-five, is that faster than in previous years?
McCarthy:
To be honest with you like in high school, I was four-eights, I don’t know when it happened with Coach Herb but he got my speed down to like four-fives, four-fours, I want to say I’m four-fours, but we haven’t put it on time yet. But yeah, it just kind of came naturally, which is hard work and always doing the right things mechanic wise and yeah, just in order to get fast, you got to run fast. And we’ve been doing a lot of that here for sure.
Q:
Do you think it was any specific drills or training?
McCarthy:
I couldn’t tell you, I have no idea. It’s probably a combination of things, of course. But yeah, I mean, whatever happened, I’m glad it happened. That’s for sure.
Q:
JJ, I was wondering what your impressions of Cade’s comments after the game and he also said that his impression from your coach is that they don’t want to keep switching and when you think this experiment, whatever you want to call it might end?
McCarthy:
I actually didn’t see his postgame…but going to just not making that switch. I feel like that’s the best way to do it for the team. You know, I whatever Coach Harbaugh thinks, I’m right behind him and being on this football team last year it worked with the switching so like I said I’m whatever happens happens and I’m ready for it.
Thank you guys!
Edits made for clarity.
Michigan Football Week 2 – Head Coach Jim Harbaugh
9/3/22 Michigan 51 Colorado State 7
9/5/22 Week 2 Press Conference
9/10/22 Hawaii @ Michigan
Q:
Jim, after reviewing the film for Saturday’s game what did you like about what Cade did and what do you think he could have improved upon?
Harbaugh:
I thought Cade had a really solid game, I think he walked away mad at himself for missing CJ Johnson on the crossing route and threw the ball to CJ a little wide on the opposite boundary. But, you know, other than that, he made some terrific throws, heck of a two minute drive. You know, I think that’s just the way he is, he’s a perfectionist. So I thought it was a really solid game.
Q:
Do you think the offensive line performed especially considering he had a lot of pieces in different areas? And do you have any update on Karsen Barnhart?
Harbaugh:
Yeah, he’s got a sprained ankle and probably not gonna be available this week. But he played really good, very well. Olu played really good. Keegan and Zinter graded out the highest, played the best. I’d give the game ball to Trevor Keegan, the way he played and also played in there at left tackle when Karsen went out. So that was really good, really pleased. Also the second O line when they went into the game, you know, they put together a heck of a good drive. Persi, Greg Crippen played very well, Reese Atteberry, he’s gotten it out there, he played good. Trente had some some really good snaps. So overall, we felt like we were 10, 11, 12 deep in the offensive line. I thought they played good.
I think you know exactly where I stand on that, well documented that I do believe the players should receive a revenue share, you know, from the massive TV deals that are being worked out. Don’t you agree?
Jim Harbaugh
Q:
Jim, when we talked to you during fall camp, you mentioned being open to playing both quarterbacks in each game into the season, you didn’t want to withhold anything that would be good for the team. After the game, Cade kind of said that you suggested to the quarterbacks that you didn’t want to do the alternating system that you would prefer having one over the other, I guess which which way are you leaning at this point?
Harbaugh:
We plowed this ground about as thoroughly as it can possibly be plowed. I mean, dating back to the summer, when you asked this question, so yeah, one could start, the other could start or could be a combination of both in the game. So those are the options. You know, happy that we’ve still got another another week to look at it. As we said that each would each would get a start. And, you know, make it as fair as it possibly be.
Q:
I guess, is there a reason Cane doesn’t seem to think you’re open to the back and forth?
Harbaugh:
Well, I think I said same thing to you guys, I’d prefer to have have a starting quarterback going in to each ballgame…been very transparent with that. And also said that if things are exactly the same as they were coming out of camp, which is pretty close to dead even then we were going to have to as coaches find a way to maximize both of their talents, you know, and for the best use of the team and that’s, that remains a very viable option.
Q:
Jim, your thoughts on the expanded playoff? And as someone who often advocates for student athletes, do you have any innovative ways to help them get a cut, especially if they play 17 games?
Harbaugh:
You talking about the expanding to 12 games? Yeah, it’s great. All for it.
Q:
And with players maybe playing 16-17 games?
Harbaugh:
I think you know exactly where I stand on that, well documented that I do believe the players should receive a revenue share, you know, from the massive TV deals that are being worked out. Don’t you agree, what do you think?
Q:
I think they should get a cut, if they play 17 games, especially. You usually have those ideas…
Harbaugh:
You know, as I said, back in the summer, I think a large piece of come from the ones who are negotiating those TV deals- The Big 10- I mean, it’s seven point something billion? It’s a lot of billions. It’s a lot of money. You know? Yeah, I think that players should receive a revenue share.
Q:
Coach, could you talk about recruiting Roman Wilson and that whole sort of timeline?
Harbaugh:
It really helped that both Mom and Dad had Michigan ties, both went to Michigan, Western Michigan Mom from from the up originally. Same time as Barry Pierson, I think I’m right on that, she was a track runner. So that really helped, even though Roman was in Hawaii. I think it helped with the parents having the Midwest ties. But yeah, he’s just a great guy all the way around. Great competitor and tough as nails. Love Roman, great fit, you know, Roman Wilson, Michigan, you’ve always thought that was a great fit.
Q:
Did you fly out to recruit him?
Harbaugh:
Of course, I think just the one time that I was allowed to during the contact period, which was, they got it now the head coach can only get to the guy he wants once, pretty much sometimes twice. But I get the one visit during the contact period.
Q:
First impressions of Jesse Minter on how he called the defense on Saturday?
Harbaugh:
Really good. I mean, the headsets were clean, smooth. I mean, the operations were clean, smooth in all three phases, I thought it was really good. He’s a calm, cool collected guy, you know and just the whole operation, signaling, communication. That was a plus plus, from what I saw.
Q:
I think you mentioned at 84 players playing on Saturday, when you have three games where you can potentially get that deep in the roster, how do you balance playing younger guys versus maybe holding out for richer?
Harbaugh:
Well, you can have four games and still receive a red shirt. So our philosophy has always been that they’re going to be better in the fifth year than they would be in their freshman year. But if they can make it into the two deep, and get playing time, every week, we feel like there’ll be better football players for having played football. I mean, you get better at football by playing football. So that’s really it, if they can be in the too deep we play them in over four games. And if it’s going to be something equivalent to not important time in the game, then, you know, we were just playing up to four games. But those will be individual decisions based on how much they can contribute versus being that much better in their in the fifth year.
Q:
With the read option threat how much does JJ open up the inside running game?
Harbaugh:
I think he definitely pulls defenders some and they have to know where he is. I mean, our our defensive coaches him the same way…There needs to be a plan when somebody when a quarterback can run in the four-fives, and that’s faster than linebackers. So you gotta have a plan to contain that. So you definitely can see even if he’s carrying out fake somebody’s paying attention.
Q:
Going back to 2020 when Cade got hurt on a run against Penn State. I mean, how much did that kind of change your mindset as far as using him as a running option?
Harbaugh:
We still use him as a running option. I mean, we called a quarterback draw in the Big 10 championship game, if you’ll recall.
Q:
On JJ- do you encourage him to get out of bounds, slide a little bit when he takes some contact, like the Georgia game, he took some hits? How to do you temper that so he doesn’t limit his playmaking ability?
Harbaugh:
I like to see him get down, you know, a little more. I mean, it’s something to keep improving. Once he gets the first down, try to get down…Also understand that as a quarterback I mean, you’d like to get some kind of contact, you know, early when you’re out there. I mean, that’s really why I try to simulate hitting them with the pads and you know, in the front, the back and pounding on the helmet a little bit just because it’s always good. You gotta get the butterflies out, you know, just blocking somebody or getting hit or running and it helps to get the butterflies out I found every everybody’s a little different. But yeah, to answer your question, I’d like to see him get down a little quicker once he’s got the first down.
Q:
Jim, after the game, you mentioned playing 84 guys. Is that a trend that you’d like to continue with the next two non conference games or is there a point where you taper down to get ready for Big 10 play by giving the primary contributors more reps?
Harbaugh:
You can get better at football by playing football and if we have opportunity, you know, always gonna play guys as much as we can. Right now we got over 100 on the roster that have played in games. I’d like to set a record, I’d like to get to 120 or 130, hopefully maybe we get everybody have played football I mean, that makes the team better. Great for the morale of the team. Everyone wants to play, let’s see how many we can get hopefully we’ll be in that position. You don’t know if we’ll be in that position or not but if we if we are we’re going to get as many guys in there as we can.
Q:
Jim, did CJ Stokes surprise you with how prepared he was to play right away and what allowed him to get out there as quickly as he did?
Harbaugh:
No, I really thought he was going to have a big game. I mean, I told him in the days leading up to the game, I don’t if it’s this game or the next you’re gonna be one of those freshmen that everybody’s talking about- he’s just good. Super important to him, he’s a studier and very, very focused player and a really talented too. So it’s fun to see his first run be a long 13 -14 yard pickup.
Q:
Now that you’ve had some time to kind of look back what what did you see with Derek Moore?
Harbaugh:
Yeah, I saw a lot of good things from a lot of people.
Start defensively, Mike Sainristil was all over the field. I mean, he was everywhere and pretty much what I loved was just how many how many winged helmets were showing up in the picture frame of every clip. Just great pursuit right to the football.
Jaylen Harrell had a phenomenal game with four tackles and a sack. Rod Moore an interception, four tackles, a sack. Also super pleased with Makari Paige, who is he was running, hitting, I mean just how far he’s come. I remember back in his freshman days of being a little slender and you know, a very good athlete but now he comes up and hits and we’re really, really excited about that.
Mike Barrett as another one, I’m gonna I’m gonna take a little deep, long bow on that one. Because when he we were recruiting him as a quarterback out of Georgia…people were like, well, there’s no position he can play, “he’s gonna be a safety, he’s going to be a linebacker, you know, he’s gonna be one of the two, you can see that?” And now to watch him and he’s made his mark on special teams, and the linebacker position these days especially as much nickel is we play and all teams playing football, he’s just out there running, hitting, and tackling, what did he have eight tackles, six tackles, and a sack? and doing a great job on special teams I mean there’s a there’s a real football player right there and I’m just super super happy and proud of him. I guess the days of the middle linebacker you know kind of went the way of the down safety in cover three. You need to be able to run sideline to sideline, tackle and play and I’m just really happy with Mike…he’ll be playing this game for a long time. So really proud of him.
Other guys…Giovanni El-Hadi got significant snaps in the game great to see his developments been very good. And another guy Eamonn Dennis, he’ll be our special teams player of the week, he had both tackles on the two punts that we had in the game, really good, punting, Brad Robins 47 net, Jake moody continues his streak, I think it’s around 12 in a row, something like that. Great to see him get some, some kicks and be successful there.
So you know, a lot of really good positive things we can improve on. I want to prove more on our coverage, punt coverage and kickoff coverage and field goal protection was a little loose and some other stuff, so. But yeah, as I said after the game, smooth, a really clean type of football game.
Q:
Coach, it looked like the players had a sticker acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the Title IX legislation on their helmets. Is that something that you and the coaching staff wanted to emphasize this year, either either in public or with the players?
Harbaugh:
Yeah. We wanted to recognize that both internally and publicly that anniversary, and how important it is.
Q:
When preparing your team for Hawaii, what do you tell them to respect the team this lost 112 to 27 in their first two games?
Harbaugh:
Yeah, we’re just trying to get as good at football as we can as fast as we can. I mean, you always respect your opponent. And that’s it, you take nothing for granted. And also, we’re going to need to improve, we have to improve I mean, I saw some, some darn good football teams playing after our game, able to watch them on TV- teams like Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama. Notre Dame was real good. There’s a lot a lot of good football teams playing playing good. So we got we got to get better and better, better, better, better. That’s, that’s what we’ll talk about.
Edits made for clarity.