Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy grows before our eyes in Iowa win

IOWA CITY, Iowa — His average-looking stat line within the field rating could not illustrate it, however J.J. McCarthy took one other step ahead Saturday in his ongoing development as Michigan’s beginning quarterback.

The sophomore gunslinger spent the week main as much as Michigan’s 27-14 win over Iowa heeding recommendation from, who else, head coach Jim Harbaugh about elements of his sport that wanted cleansing up.

McCarthy recognized footwork, ball dealing with and resolution making as the massive three, evident in his productive but undisciplined and mistake-prone outing final week in opposition to Maryland.

“Checking the ball down. Getting it into Blake’s (and Donovan’s) palms,” McCarthy, who was 18 of 24 for 155 yards and a landing on Saturday, informed reporters. “The play I had driving down the sphere in opposition to Maryland the place I received just a little scar, simply performs like that — getting these performs out of my sport.”

McCarthy mentioned Harbaugh drilled into him this week the truth that he gained’t win each play. Extending performs is sweet, however typically the quarterback ought to “throw the ball away — transfer on to the following play.”

Extra: Overheard: U-M needed to set tone early, dominate up entrance vs. Iowa

And with the Hawkeyes on deck, it was extra vital than ever. Iowa entered Saturday’s sport with the No. 1-ranked scoring protection within the nation (5.8 factors per sport), sixth-best unit in yards allowed (236.3) and feasted on opponents’ errors.

“We talked in regards to the significance — confused the significance of ball safety,” Harbaugh mentioned. “It’s an excellent technique — discipline place, win the turnover battles — and so they’re actually robust to beat. We didn’t wish to give them something. We didn’t wish to give them any sort of these items.”

Whereas McCarthy wasn’t flawless (extra on that in a minute), he helped set up a formidable trying 11-play, 75-yard landing drive to begin the sport, the type of tone setter Michigan had been drawing up all week to quiet the Kinnick Stadium crowd and permit the gamers to settle in.

Whether or not it was a 7-yard dink to Roman Wilson, a 3-yard dink to Donovan Edwards, or a big-time throw to maintain a drive alive (just like the 29-yarder to Andrel Anthony), McCarthy did greater than sufficient to maintain Michigan’s offense in fine condition.

“J.J. actually was taking the open man,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He was throwing the ball to the open man and matriculating the ball downfield.”

Nonetheless, McCarthy accounted for a number of first-time starter errors. He tripped on his personal offensive lineman’s foot dropping again to cross through the second drive, leading to a five-yard sack that put Michigan in a third-and-12 scenario. He simply missed on a deep ball on the very subsequent drive, overthrowing Roman Wilson for a sure-fire landing.

And sure, there was the fumble whereas backed up within the third quarter.

“Every part that he was type of harping on me about final week is simply making me a greater quarterback,” McCarthy mentioned. “On the finish of the day, you’re going to get coached like loopy whenever you’re right here (at Michigan) and it’s solely making you higher.”

However there have been additionally these lightbulb-flashing moments, too, like his third-quarter scramble on third-and-8 on the Iowa 12. With open discipline and a defender heading his approach, McCarthy elected to not take off and run — however as an alternative dumped the soccer over and right into a wide-open Donovan Edwards ultimately zone.

Extra: QB J.J. McCarthy had an uncommon request to assist repair fumbles

Harbaugh agreed.

“There’s nobody that loves that sport greater than I do,” Harbaugh mentioned, describing McCarthy’s joystick-like sport. “He’s higher than me, however he reminds of me of a younger Jimmy Harbaugh.

“He drops again after which he runs over to his left, circles again to his proper, again to his left, after which runs it or throws it to the open man. I like it.”

However he additionally admits having to “dance an actual tremendous line” with McCarthy, a former five-star recruit who lit up spotlight tapes in highschool together with his video game-like throws. He performs finest when quick, free and free, and as we’ve seen up to now, that may yield fumbles.

Thankfully for Michigan up to now this season, they haven’t resulted in turnovers.

“I are not looking for him to be a sufferer of over-coaching,” he continued. “When it’s all mentioned and performed, I simply need him to do you, J.J. Play your sport. It’s actually good.

“However simply shield the soccer,” he mentioned chuckling.

Learn extra on Michigan soccer:

Takeaways, observations from Michigan’s win over Iowa

RB Donovan Edwards set for return; Erick All dominated out vs. Iowa

Michigan has the blueprint to crack Iowa’s ‘D.’ They did it six video games in the past.

Blake Corum’s off to a different blazing begin. Can he stick with it?