“Everything That We Were Battling All Year”: J.J. McCarthy Delivers Strong Words After Michigan’s Rose Bowl Win

The Wolverines did it again! Michigan secured a historic 27-20 overtime win against Alabama at the Rose Bowl, earning a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Blake Corum’s 17-yard rushing touchdown and a crucial defensive stop sealed the Wolverines’ victory, stopping short the progress of Alabama’s dominant era under Nick Saban in a challenging season.

Following the win, JJ McCarthy secured ‘The Offensive Player of the Game’ title, thanks to an outstanding performance. During the Rose Bowl Trophy Ceremony, he joined his team and head coach Jim Harbaugh to address the audience. He gave away crucial insights into the team’s last-minute drive that helped them secure victory over Alabama. 

JJ McCarthy reveals the motivation behind the last drive 

During the Rose Bowl Trophy Ceremony McCarthy was faced with a question, “What changed on that last Drive of Regulation?” The young quarterback delved into the team’s troubled year and derived crucial motivation that helped them add that extra push to their winning efforts.

Reflecting on the dramatic season they have had as they progress to the next level, McCarthy explained, “I just feel like it was everything that we were battling all year it was waiting to come out in moments like these where we just perfect all the little details and we’re ready to go execute.”

Even in these moments of victory, the young quarterback did not forget to mention his fans. He claimed, “It means everything. Not just to us but to the fanbase and whole state of Michigan. We all truly love you.” Despite initial accuracy struggles, J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s junior quarterback, delivered a pivotal 75-yard touchdown drive in the closing minutes against Alabama.

He faced an early interception scare that was later overturned. McCarthy’s final stats were impressive, going 17-of-27 for 221 yards and three touchdowns, with three rushes for 25 yards, earning him the ‘The Offensive Player of the Game’ title. Astonishingly, the victory was followed by a unique gesture which was explained by the QB as a winning superstition. 

JJ McCarthy’s winning superstition 

Rose Bowl traditions and superstitions die hard. After the victory, McCarthy embraced a tradition, placing a rose in his mouth—a gesture typically done before or after the game. He later expounded on the superstition, likening it to NHL players avoiding the Stanley Cup until victory, drawing from his hockey experiences.

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Michigan’s impressive performance, with 351 total yards to Alabama’s 288, marked their first College Football Playoff win in three attempts and Harbaugh’s first postseason bowl victory in six attempts.

Michigan’s Wolverines (14-0), led by Coach Jim Harbaugh, are set to compete in their first national title game since 1997. The championship matchup is scheduled for Jan 8 in Houston against Washington who outperformed Texas. The Wolverines’ journey to the title game involved a dramatic late comeback and an intense finish at the Rose Bowl.

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