Woodson Encourages McCarthy to Run More After Watching Wolverines Beat Maryland

Heisman Trophy winner spoke with sophomore starting quarterback after he threw 26 times for 220 yards and ran three times for 22 yards

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy fires a pass with linebacker Durell Nchami (No.30) coming around offensive tackle Ryan Hayes (No. 76) and offensive guard Zak Zinter (No. 65) holding off defensive lineman Ami Finau (No. 54).

Austin Thomason Photo Courtesy of University of Michigan Photography

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Charles Woodson approached J.J. McCarthy near the set FOX TV rolled in next to the Wolverine bench immediately after Michigan had beaten Maryland, 34-27, Saturday afternoon.

Woodson, working as a studio analyst for the national broadcast, put his right arm around the dual-threat quarterback and pulled him in close for a few words.

I asked McCarthy to share what Michigan’s 1997 Heisman Trophy winner had to say.

“He was kind of telling me everything that was going on with the game,” said McCarthy, “and his insights and all that.

“But the big thing that stood out to me with him was just: ‘Use my legs more. I mean, God gave me them for a reason. And when I’m sitting back there, and not seeing anything open, just run.’ I took that wholeheartedly, and that’s something I really want to do. But it was just great GOAT advice out right there.”

Now, the Wolverines might not be keen on McCarthy running in excess. The proven backup quarterback, Cade McNamara, is out for a few weeks with an injury. And while Coach Jim Harbaugh has expressed confidence in the several candidates who would come in should they be needed, none of them has won a Big Ten championship or played truly meaningful minutes.

But it was clear that McCarthy ran more once the Terrapins (3-1) had established a true challenge to Michigan (4-0). He carried three times for 22 yards, and lost 17 yards on two sacks.

That will be an interesting thing to watch as the season progresses: Just how much does McCarthy run and can he remain healthy while doing so?

But back to this game.

McCarthy had some overthrows that could’ve helped Michigan put this one away much earlier. He had two fumbles that could’ve turned momentum Maryland’s way had the Wolverines not recovered them.

But he also did some pretty good things – completing 18-of-26 for 220 yards and two touchdowns without an interception – in a victory his team had to have in terms of controlling its own destiny in repeating as champs.

“I think he did a lot of great things,” Harbaugh said. “With the game on the line, throws to Roman (Wilson) to Ronnie Bell, just to name a couple. I thought he worked the ball to the tight end (Luke) Schoonmaker. Luke had a great game (seven catches for 72 yards and one touchdown).”

Harbaugh added on his quarterback: “He kind of settled into playing good, fundamental football.”

McCarthy said, “It definitely wasn’t my best performance, and I want some things back that went out there. But I was happy with the way we were able to move the ball in times when we needed to respond, and that was a good team out there. Maryland’s got a great defense. They’ve got a great offense.

“And I was just happy with the way we responded when some adversity creeped in.”  

When the Wolverines absolutely, positively had to score, he threw a perfect ball to Wilson for a 20-yard touchdown. He hit Wilson with a pass that he caught on the run to take a 24-13 lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

“That was one of those plays that you draw up all week,” said McCarthy, a smile crossing his face. “You see it out there just come to fruition. It’s, man, that’s a beautiful thing right there. I saw their safety coming down on the weak side and knew he was blitzing. (Tailback) Blake (Corum) made a great block to hold that pressure off that back side, and Roman, nobody in the country can hang with him when he’s running across the field.

“It was just a beautiful thing to see.”

Michigan was in control after that.

McCarthy hit Bell for 49 yards with nice touch and timing to set up a 38-yard Jake Moody field goal. Still, he nearly took those points off the scoreboard with a ball he forced on third down that the Terrapins intercepted – only out of bounds.

He entered the game having completed 30-of-34 passes (88 percent) for 473 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions.

He did everything that could be expected against three heavy underdog opponents, and Michigan entered the Big Ten opener with the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense at 55.3 points per game.

And after the Wolverines recovered the fumbled opening kickoff and McCarthy rolled right and hit a wide open Schoonmaker for a 10-yard touchdown on the first play, it had everyone wondering if another rout was going to take place.

However, the Terrapins didn’t cave in and showed the mental toughness to bounce back.

The Wolverines fell behind for the first time this season, 13-10, and McCarthy had a chance to put his team back on top. Wilson was streaking down the left side of the field and had his man beat by two yards. But the throw was well beyond him.

You could hear a pin drop among the 110,225 at Michigan Stadium as the ball hit the turf. That failed third-and-eight forced a punt.

“I take full responsibility for all those throws that I missed,” said McCarthy, who overthrew Wilson again and Andrel Anthony twice. “I felt like 110 percent today, and it’s been a while since it’s felt like that. So, just being able to go through the practices this week and be able to adjust and dial it back a little bit is going to be huge.”

He missed most of spring practice with shoulder problems, and seems to just now be regaining full arm strength.  

Then McCarthy, despite doing some nice things on the next two possessions, also had fumbles that his teammates fortunately recovered. No points resulted from those drives as Moody had a rare miss on a 43-yard field goal attempt.

“That’s always a huge priority for us – ball security,” said McCarthy, “and I’ve just got to do a better job.”

Michigan wasn’t looking to run with McCarthy in the early going. He was setting up in the pocket and only ran if forced to scramble.

But that changed on the final possession of the first half with good results.

The Wolverines had 70 yards to cover and 1:36 left. McCarthy sprinted to the right for nine yards on the first play, hit some passes and had his team at the Maryland 33-yard line on fourth-and-one.

But rather than attempt a 50-yard field goal, Michigan broke its huddle quickly and went for it. On the read-pass option, McCarthy handed the ball to Blake Corum, who quickly scooted left, got the block he needed from wide receiver Bell on the edge, and was off to the races and the end zone.

“I was only supposed to go for one or two yards,” said Corum of his 33-yard touchdown on a day when he rushed for a career-high 243 yards on 30 carries. “But the coaches got it in quick, and J.J. snapped the ball quick.

“We caught ‘em off guard…That definitely was a momentum change in my opinion.”

That gave the Wolverines a 17-13 lead at the half.

They scored when they had to, and McCarthy did the most important thing a quarterback becomes known for. He led his team to victory.