Michigan's J.J. McCarthy did so many impressive things against Indiana it's hard to count
It’s hard to pick the most impressive thing Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy did on Saturday.
Maybe, it happened in the third quarter of Michigan’s 52-7 victory over Indiana.
It was third-and-10, and McCarthy dropped back to pass but he was under pressure and scrambled to his right. As he ran toward the sideline, McCarthy pointed downfield, directing the offense even while on the run, showing off his poise and patience.
Colston Loveland, the sophomore tight end, took off downfield – as he was directed – and McCarthy flicked a perfect pass to him for a 54-yard touchdown.
No, wait.
Maybe, it was the time McCarthy was scrambling to his left and flicked the ball to Donovan Edwards. It was pure backyard football and a show of pure creativity and athleticism. Two plays later, Michigan had a touchdown.
No, wait.
Maybe, it was McCarthy’s ability to read the game.
FULL GAME RECAP: Michigan football overcomes sloppy start, sloppy weather to smash Indiana 52-7
With the game tied, 7-7, Indiana's defense jumped offsides, and McCarthy recognized it.
Saw the opportunity.
It was a free play and he completed a 23-yarder to Tyler Morris.
Then again, maybe, the most impressive thing that McCarthy did on Saturday was his ability to bounce back from a slow start.
To spark this team after it had a bad first quarter.
Didn't freak out from slow start
You wanna call it sloppy? Or sluggish? Or predictable – after Indiana brought in a new offensive coordinator and so much uncertainty surrounded the Hoosiers?
No matter what you call it, Indiana dominated the first quarter in nearly every way, taking a 7-0 lead.
Indiana came out with a short passing game, attacking the middle of the field, getting rid of the ball quickly, negating Michigan’s pass rush and putting tremendous pressure on the Wolverine's defense.
Indiana wracked up 141 yards while holding Michigan to just 17, and the Hoosiers took the early lead on a trick play, a double pass.
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Shoot, the Hoosiers' lead could have been even bigger, but they kept shooting themselves in the foot.
A long pass was wiped out because of hands to the face.
A nice drive into the red zone was ended by a tipped interception.
And Indiana had a fine punt but couldn’t get coverage.
Meanwhile, Michigan couldn’t get going offensively.
In the first quarter, McCarthy was sacked three times and fumbled the ball out of bounds.
But McCarthy didn’t freak out.
Didn’t fold.
He just got to work.
McCarthy, the great X-factor
So, when Michigan’s offense was struggling, after its defense struggled to stop Indiana in the first quarter, McCarthy proved to be the difference maker.
He changed this game with his ability to hit the back shoulder throw. His ability to play with no fear, threading the ball between two defenders.
And his ability to take off and use his legs.
McCarthy finished his day with some strong stats. Maybe, they weren't eye-popping, like some quarterbacks who roll up huge numbers. But they were still impressive. He spread the ball out to eight different receivers, completing 14 of 17 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns.
And he also ran 10 times.
No, wait. Forget all those things.
Here was the thing that was most impressive to me. The thing that sticks in my head.
When the backups were in, McCarthy stood on the sideline, watching his teammates, cheering for them, with a towel around his neck and wearing a stocking hat. After Michigan took a 51-7 lead, McCarthy ran onto the field. Giving hugs and high-fives.
It was pure leadership.
McCarthy might not have some of the huge numbers as some of the other quarterbacks in the country.
But he's got the only number that matters, really.
He had his 19th win as Michigan's starting quarterback.
Contact Jeff Seidel at jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's J.J. McCarthy impressive again as Wolverines smash Indiana
