Cade McNamara may have been Michigan’s starting quarterback in 2021, but Michigan freshman QB J.J. McCarthy was utilized in a variety of big moments throughout the season, including versus Ohio State. In short, seeing McCarthy come on the field in a close game was never a surprise.
Earlier this year head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Michigan wanted to get McCarthy in games as much as they could — and in the second half against Georgia in the Orange Bowl, the Wolverines turned to McCarthy down the stretch.
McNamara was 11-of-19 for 106 yards and 2 interceptions — this was the first time McNamara threw 2 interceptions in one game during his time at Michigan.