Sports
Tom Brady agrees with Jim Harbaugh calling JJ McCarthy Michigan’s greatest quarterback: ‘No doubt!!!’
A Rose Bowl classic unfolded in Pasadena on Monday night, with the University of Michigan coming back in the fourth quarter to tie things up against the University of Alabama and eventually win it in overtime.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s quarterback, was a catalyst in making that happen, as the team’s perfect season continues on to Houston for the College Football Playoff National Championship.
After the game, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had high praise for his signal caller, going as far as to call him the greatest quarterback to wear the maize and blue for the Wolverines.
J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to media during the post game press conference after the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
And let’s remember: Tom Brady played at Michigan before putting together arguably the greatest NFL career of all-time at the position.
“I’ve said it before, but right here, this is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan — college football history,” Harbaugh told media members. “Got a long way to go to get where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT.
“But in a college career there’s been nobody at Michigan better than J.J. I know we talk about it an amalgamation of quarterbacks. He is that guy.”
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Harbaugh also added that the last person to defeat Alabama at quarterback in overtime was Brady prior to McCarthy leading the way.
Of course, everyone will have their own opinions about Harbaugh’s statement, but Brady himself was in agreement.
“Go Blue!!! No doubt!!!,” Brady responded on SportsCenter’s clip of the post-game availability.
McCarthy wasn’t at all perfect in the Rose Bowl, as the Wolverines got off to a slow start. But when pressure was at its highest late in the fourth quarter with the team’s season on the line, McCarthy delivered some spectacular plays and showed guts to eventually hit Roman Wilson for a wide open touchdown pass to tie the game following the extra point.
Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots laughs with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after they played catch before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Michigan got the ball to start overtime, which begins at the opponent’s 25-yard line where each team gets a chance to match the other until one team doesn’t score.
Just two plays were needed for Michigan to find the end zone, as running back Blake Corum scored his second touchdown of the game, this one on the ground.
Jalen Milroe and Alabama had a chance to respond after deferring the coin toss, but Milroe was stopped on fourth-and-goal for the Wolverines to complete their comeback.
McCarthy finished the game 17-of-27 for 221 yards and three touchdowns, including a catch-and-run by Tyler Morris for his first of the season and the first touchdown of the game to Corum.
The junior’s college career could reach its peak if the Wolverines are able to take down the red-hot Washington Huskies, who defeated the University of Texas behind another stellar Michael Penix Jr. performance on offense.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with a rose after defeating Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 in overtime to win the 110th Rose Bowl game in Pasadena on Monday, January 1, 2024. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
With the argument of being the greatest of all time out there, McCarthy will have to back up his head coach’s statement with another great game that he will hope ends with a national title.
Sports
High school softball top 20 rankings for the Southland
A look at the top 20 high school softball teams in the Southland; as ranked by CalHiSports.com for The Times.
Rk. School; Record; Last ranking
1. Murrieta Mesa; 16-0; 1
2. Fullerton; 11-1; 4
3. Norco; 9-2; 3
4. JSerra 14-2; 2
5. La Mirada 12-2; 6
6. Oaks Christian; 12-1; 5
7. Orange Lutheran 5-3; 7
8. Etiwanda; 14-1; 11
9. Riverside King; 10-2; 20
10. Chino Hills; 13-4; NR
11. Chaminade; 10-1; NR
12. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame; 11-3; 8
13. El Modena; 7-4; 19
14. La Habra; 12-3; 18
15. Temescal Canyon; 8-4; 12
16. Long Beach Poly; 5-0; 16
17. Los Altos; 7-5; NR
18. Garden Grove Pacifica; 10-5; 9
19. Westlake; 10-2; NR
20. Anaheim Canyon; 8-4,10
Sports
Indiana coach Cignetti sends message to star transfer with pre-practice dress code lesson
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In just his second season at the helm, Curt Cignetti led Indiana to its first national championship.
During the Hoosiers’ title run, Cignetti became known for his demanding coaching style. Indiana opened spring practice Thursday, and incoming transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh got a crash course in what it means to play for Cignetti.
Marsh, who transferred from Michigan State, arrived at practice in gold cleats. After noting Marsh’s productive two-year stint in East Lansing, Cignetti pivoted to the wideout’s footwear.
Nick Marsh (6) of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball up the field during the first quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ford Field Nov. 29, 2025, in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
“I didn’t love those gold shoes he came out in today,” Cignetti said. “He learned what getting your a– ripped is all about. I don’t know if that happened to him very often at Michigan State. That was before practice started.”
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Marsh totaled 1,311 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at Michigan State. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover also headlines Indiana’s transfer additions.
An Indiana Hoosiers helmet during a game against the Ball State Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium Aug. 31, 2019, in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cignetti added that the coaching staff has “more work to do with this group than the first two teams,” noting the group is still learning more about players the team will likely rely on next season.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti during the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship at Hard Rock Stadium Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Indiana went 16-0 en route to a thrilling win over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship in January.
Cignetti framed his callout of Marsh’s cleats as an early message about expectations.
“That was a wake-up call,” Cignetti said of the receiver’s pre-practice cleats. “But he’s really worked hard, done a great job for us.”
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Sports
Prep sports roundup: Redondo Union takes down No. 1 Mira Costa in boys volleyball
Redondo Union didn’t care that Mira Costa’s volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in California. This was their South Bay rival coming to their gym Thursday night, and anything can happen when a team digs deep and doesn’t fear losing.
The Sea Hawks (14-2) were aggressive from the outset and came away with a 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 victory.
“Chemistry,” setter Tommy Spalding said about the Sea Hawks’ triumph. He’s one of three players headed to MIT, and all three had big matches.
At one point on back-to-back plays, Carter Mirabal had a block and Vaughan Flaherty followed with a kill off an assist from Spalding. Chemistry.
JR Boice, a Long Beach State commit, was delivering kills, and Cash Essert’s serving and all-around play kept Mira Costa’s Mateo Fuerbringer looking frustrated. The Sea Hawks’ focus was on Fuerbringer, who came alive in the fifth set with six kills, but Redondo was able to come back from an 11-9 deficit.
It was only Mira Costa’s second loss in 25 matches. Redondo Union took over first place in the Bay League.
Baseball
Orange Lutheran 3, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian 2: The Lancers advanced to the semifinals of the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C., behind a walk-off single in the eighth inning by Andrew Felizzari. Brady Murrietta had tied the score with a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the seventh. CJ Weinstein had two doubles for the Lancers.
Venice (Fla.) 12, Harvard-Westlake 0: The Wolverines were limited to three hits at the National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C.
Casteel (Queen Creek, Ariz.) 3, St. John Bosco 2: The Braves suffered their first defeat in North Carolina. Jack Champlin threw five innings and also had two RBIs.
Chatsworth 6, Taft 3: Tony Del Rio Nava threw six innings and had two RBIs in the West Valley League win.
Granada Hills 4, El Camino Real 3: A two-run single by Nicholas Penaranda in the seventh inning keyed a three-run inning for the Highlanders in their West Valley League upset. JJ Saffie had three hits for ECR.
Cleveland 4, Birmingham 3: The Cavaliers pushed across a run in the top of the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie in the West Valley League win. Joshua Pearlstein finished with three hits, including a home run.
Sun Valley Poly 4, San Fernando 2: Fabian Bravo gave up four hits in 6 2/3 innings for the Parrots, who are tied with Sylmar for first place in the Valley Mission League. Ray Pelayo struck out eight for San Fernando.
Verdugo Hills 15, Kennedy 1: Cutlor Fannon had two doubles and four RBIs in the five-inning win. Anthony Velasquez added two singles and four RBIs.
Westlake 9, Agoura 4: Jaxson Neckien hit a three-run home run to power the Warriors.
Thousand Oaks 7, Calabasas 5: Gavin Berigan, Jeff Adams and Cru Hopkins each had two hits for the Lancers.
Oaks Christian 11, Newbury Park 2: Dane Disney contributed three hits in the Marmonte League win. Carson Sheffer had two doubles and three RBIs.
Santa Monica 12, Simi Valley 4: Ryan Breslo and Johnny Recendez had two RBIs and a triple for Santa Monica. Ravi Chernack had three RBIs.
Dana Hills 7, Corona Santiago 0: Gavin Giese finished with eight strikeouts over six innings and gave up one hit for Dana Hills.
Softball
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 10, Sierra Canyon 0: Kelsey Luderer contributed three hits and two RBIs while freshman Ainsley Jenkins threw five scoreless innings.
Chaminade 15, Louisville 2: Norah Pettersen had two hits and four RBIs.
Carson 10, San Pedro 0: Atiana Rodriguez finished with three hits, including a double and triple, and three RBIs.
Huntington Beach 6, El Modena 2: Willow Kellen had three hits for the Oilers.
Murrieta Mesa 15, Chaparral 0: It’s a 16-0 start for the Rams. Tatum Wolff hit two home runs.
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