Michigan football quarterback closing in on program record

The Wolverines have a special talent under center this year with junior passer JJ McCarthy. The second-year starting Michigan football quarterback has been stellar through five games of the 2023 season, and despite having played zero snaps in the fourth quarter (and few snaps in the third), McCarthy continues to close in on breaking a long-standing program record.

Michigan football quarterback continues to close in on program record

Michigan football is 5-0 heading into this weekend’s game at Minnesota — a Week 6 night matchup that will pit two of the top coaches in the Big Ten (Jim Harbaugh and PJ Fleck) against one another for the third time.

Through five games — despite JJ McCarthy being taken out of the game early in each matchup so far — the junior Michigan football quarterback has posted some head-turning numbers. McCarthy has completed an impressive 79% of his passes for 1,071 yards, 10 touchdowns, and a trio of interceptions — all of which were thrown against Bowling Green in Week 3.

Can JJ McCarthy set a new passing record?

The Michigan football program record for passing touchdowns in a single season belongs to ex-Wolverine star Chad Henne (25), who holds a number of program passing records. Henne, who played under Lloyd Carr from 2004-2007, is regarded as Michigan’s best true passer, though his single-season record is in danger right now.

JJ McCarthy still has another seven games remaining on the 2023 regular-season slate, meaning he needs to throw just over two touchdowns per game (on average) to get to 26 and set a new program passing record. Additionally, McCarthy could add another three games to the Wolverines’ season if he can lead Michigan to the Big Ten and national title games in December and January.

Michigan football offense favors McCarthy this year

The offense this year appears to be geared more towards JJ McCarthy than it was last year, which was a necessary change to make after Michigan football fell short in back-to-back College Football Playoffs. While records and personal accolades are not in the front of JJ’s mind right now, it’s a stat column worth keeping an eye on as the Wolverines’ impressive quarterback continues to close in on making program history.

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