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Michigan football quarterback benefitting from bad game

Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy needed a bad game to continue developing.

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Michigan football quarterback, JJ McCarthy, Kirk Campbell, Bowling Green
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

JJ McCarthy is an elite QB talent and has been pinned among the nation’s top Heisman Trophy contenders heading into Week 7 of the season. On Wednesday, Michigan football quarterback coach Kirk Campbell explained that, while Bowling Green was JJ’s worst game by far, it may have been the best thing to happen to McCarthy this year.

Michigan football quarterback benefitting from bad game

The Bowling Green game in Week 3 was a poor performance for JJ McCarthy — he completed 8 of his 13 passes for over 140 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Wolverines ultimately won, 31-6, but it was clear that McCarthy was simply off his game that weekend.

Kirk Campbell gives his take on McCarthy’s bad game

According to quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell — who is in his first year as QB coach — that weekend may have been good for the junior Michigan football quarterback.

“Nobody in life is ever going to be perfect,” Kirk Campbell said on Wednesday. “And we talk about chasing perfection every single day — we want to do that. But if you hold yourself to that elite standard and you’re so disappointed when you don’t achieve it, it can be a hindrance to your production on the field.

“I just thought that he (JJ McCarthy) had so much pressure on himself that he was trying to just not throw an incompletion. To never throw an incompletion.

“(The Bowling Green game) happening to him at that moment might have been the best thing that happened to him this season and going forward in his career. NFL — all that stuff. I just thought it was a great learning experience for him in that moment.”

Michigan football, JJ McCarthy set to return to action this weekend

Since Week 3, JJ McCarthy has returned to his usual self — his only three picks on the year are still all from the Bowling Green game, and his QBR of 93.6 is the best in the country right now. Additionally, while McCarthy is yet to see a single snap for Michigan football in the fourth quarter of a game this year, he has still managed to throw for nearly 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing close to 80% of his passes.

This weekend, Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy and his Wolverines will re-take the field for the 7th time this fall; this time, hosting the Indiana Hoosiers before hitting the road to East Lansing next weekend.



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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.

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