Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy wears ‘FREE Harbaugh’ shirt in support of Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh amid three-game suspension
By Tyrell Feaster For Dailymail.Com and Ap
Updated:
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Michigan Wolverines star quarterback J.J. McCarthy wore a ‘FREE Harbaugh’ shirt before and after the team’s 30-3 opening-day win over East Carolina.
Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is currently serving a school-imposed three-game suspension due to recruiting violations.
McCarthy wore a Harbaugh No 4 shirt with ‘FREE’ – written in marker on white tape -above the coach’s name as he stepped off the bus, during the pregame warmup and at the postgame news conference.
‘That was definitely a tribute to coach Harbaugh,’ McCarthy said after throwing three touchdown passes to Roman Wilson to help the second-ranked Wolverines secure an easy win to start the season. ‘That was pretty cool to do that.’
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‘I just want my coach back,’ McCarthy continued. ‘It´s as simple as that.’
J.J. McCarthy wore a ‘FREE Harbaugh’ shirt before and after the game against East Carolina
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is currently serving a school-imposed three-game ban
McCarthy said he believed Harbaugh watched the game at Moore’s house. Harbaugh was able to coach the team during the week, and helped the staff with the game plan.
McCarthy completed 26 of 30 passes for 280 yards in the first meeting between the teams.
The quarterback said he felt much different than he did a year ago when he was coming off a shoulder injury and competing with Cade McNamara to be the team’s starting quarterback.
‘This one felt effortless,’ he said.
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All-America running back Blake Corum, coming off knee surgery, ran for 73 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. He showed his speed is back on 37- and 21-yard runs.
Fans also wore their own customized ‘free Harbaugh’ shirts in support of the head coach
‘It felt great being back out there, making some cuts and some long runs,’ Corum said. ‘That was my first time, honestly, getting hit since the Ohio State game.’
The Pirates (0-1) were overmatched as expected against a team with national championship aspirations that’s coming off two straight Big Ten titles and trips to the College Football Playoff.
They avoided a shutout with Andrew Conrad’s 33-yard field goal as time expired.
Harbaugh´s game-day role was filled by defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore also missed the game, suspended by the school for one game due to violating unspecified NCAA rules.
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‘When I saw him last night, it really really hit me that it’s really going down,’ Minter said.
On a long holiday weekend, it’s not surprising to see scores of people at Chicago and Northwest Indiana beaches, and dozens of boats anchored just off the shore.
However, beachgoers and boaters might want to think twice this Labor Day.
According to a beach hazards statement issued by the National Weather Service, “life-threatening” waves and currents are expected at Lake Michigan beaches throughout the Chicago area until Monday evening.
The NWS advises staying out of the water, and avoiding going out on to piers, break walls or other shoreline structures.
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“It’s a very hazardous day to be going into the water for wading or swimming,” said Dave Benjamin, the co-founder of the non-profit Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. “It’s highly advised you’re not entering the water at your beaches.”
Lifeguards at Ohio Street Beach Sunday pulled everyone out of the water once the conditions became too dangerous.
Benjamin said there have been 77 drownings across the Great Lakes in 2024, and 57 percent of them were in Lake Michigan.
A guide to beach conditions and flag warnings from the Chicago Park District can be found here.
The No. 9 Michigan Wolverines kicked off the 2024 season in the Big House on Saturday night with a primetime matchup against Fresno State. Although there are still some things that need to improve heading into the massive Week 2 matchup against Texas, there were also some things to feel pretty good about.
Michigan quarterback Davis Warren (16) starts against Fresno State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
Here are the top offensive and defensive performers from Michigan’s Week 1 victory over Fresno State:
Kalel Mullings, RB: 15 carries for 92 yards
Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings (20) runs the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Although Donovan Edwards has received most of the attention among the running backs during the off-season, it was veteran Kalel Mullings who had the most production on the ground Saturday night. After a relatively slow start in the running game, Mullings found his groove in the second half and helped put the Wolverines in scoring position late. At 6-2, 233 pounds, Mullings is more than just a short-yardage back who can move the sticks if needed. He’s surprisingly quick and shifty, and we saw that on display in Michigan’s season-opener.
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Colston Loveland, TE: 8 receptions for 87 yards and 1 TD
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (18) makes a catch for a first down against Fresno State defensive back Cam Lockridge (1) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
It’s clear that Loveland is going to be a major factor in Michigan’s passing game this season. Whether lined up at tight end, in the slot or out wide, the 6-5, 245 pound target is a matchup nightmare. Loveland’s catch radius and athleticism is one of the reasons why he’ll likely be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As the season progresses, the Michigan offense will need every bit of what Loveland has to offer.
Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines players take the field before a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Arkansas State transfer put 12 points on the board for the Wolverines in their 30-10 victory, including field goals from 45, 53, and 55 yards in Michigan’s season-opener. Although you’d like to be able to finish drives in the endzone, having a reliable kicker with a big leg is certainly a luxury that can be the difference maker on fall Saturday’s.
Will Johnson: 2 tackles, 1 INT (Pick-Six)
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Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) runs the ball after he makes an interception in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The nations best corner was tested multiple times on Saturday night, but you can only poke the bear so many times before you pay the price. On a Fresno State first-and-goal play with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Johnson snagged an 86-yard pick-six that extended Michigan’s lead to 20. Although he finished the evening with just one interception, Johnson was inches away from notching three on the evening. He did get beat a couple of times, but I’ll chalk it up to Week 1 rust and expect that to improve in the weeks ahead.
Zeke Berry: 2 tackles, 1 INT
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Zeke Berry (10) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The junior defensive back got the party started on the Bulldog’s first drive of the game, snagging an interception as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant forced a bad throw from Fresno State QB Mikey Keene. Berry is a guy who had to pay his dues behind Michigan legend Mike Sainristil, but it’s clear the junior DB is ready for his moment and that he’ll continue to be a solid piece in the secondary moving forward.
Josaiah Stewart: 5.0 tackles, 2.0 sacks
Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart (0) tackles Fresno State running back Malik Sherrod (2) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
The veteran edge rusher notched 5.5 sacks during the 2023 season (good for No. 2 on the team), and it looks like he’s poised to surpass that mark by a decent amount in 2024. His combination of speed and power is a nightmare to defend against, and he was able to get to the quarterback twice on Saturday night. Top to bottom, the Michigan defense is going to be a problem for any opposing offense in 2024.
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– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
Takeaways: Michigan takes down Fresno State with a rather lackluster offense
Michigan players of the game in 30-10 win over Fresno State
What the national media is saying about Michigan’s performance against Fresno State