A young J.J. McCarthy was given unexpected news on April 30, 2019.
Coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes were headed in a different direction after he visited Columbus, rose to the pinnacles of the high school football world, and became an avid fan of the university. Day tapped his quarterback of the future in the spring, less than a month after telling McCarthy in Columbus that he wouldn’t commit to a final quarterback recruit until the end of the summer.
He went by Kyle McCord.
And it’s safe to say McCarthy didn’t forget as he sits victoriously atop back-to-back victories as a starter over Ohio State, ranked No. 2.
McCarthy said, “Obviously I have a personal story with that,” in reference to his postgame recruiting relationship with the Buckeyes. But since this university is the greatest in the world, it’s really a blessing in disguise. And I’m overjoyed to be involved in it. I’m thrilled to be a member of this team.
McCarthy’s stats don’t jump out of the page, throwing for 148 yards and a touchdown in addition to picking up 22 yards on the ground. That isn’t the point, though. McCarthy didn’t deliver his best performance of the season on Saturday.
However, McCarthy wasn’t at his best when he was in the spotlight, carrying the weight of the college football world, and standing about 20 yards away from the man who had “lied” to him three and a half years prior.
However, he outplayed Kyle McCord. That was the important thing.
McCarthy may not have thrown for as many yards as McCord did. In addition, he added another passing touchdown. However, McCarthy delivered during the crucial moments that could either make or break the biggest rivalry in college football. McCarthy’s flawless play turned him from good to gold as McCord threw two interceptions, one of which set up Michigan’s first touchdown of the game and the other of which ended it completely. It served as a sharp reminder of what Day and company might have had and what might have been.
McCarthy may not have thrown for as many yards as McCord did. In addition, he added another passing touchdown. However, McCarthy delivered during the crucial moments that could either make or break the biggest rivalry in college football. McCarthy’s flawless play turned him from good to gold as McCord threw two interceptions, one of which set up Michigan’s first touchdown of the game and the other of which ended it completely. It served as a sharp reminder of what Day and company might have had and what might have been.
McCord stated, “It hurts—that’s really the only word for it.” It hurts to put in so much effort for that chance and then fall short by a few plays. Really, there is no getting around that.
As Day soon discovered, McCord was ultimately responsible for those plays. With an abundance of skill positions and a robust offensive line at his disposal, McCord transformed the specific into a routine play. McCord made standouts stand still, whether it was due to his reluctance to expose a Wolverines pass rush that occasionally failed to contain him or his reliance on receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.’s antics.
