Glendale, Arizona — That was the case for Michigan football in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Rather than relying on an internal offensive line, the Wolverines went for it on the fourth goal and repeated uncharacteristic mistakes, starting with executing an end-around. After an overturned touchdown, his two pick 6s by QB JJ McCarthy, and multiple defensive mistakes, there was also a goal fumble on his line.
After the game, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed all of these topics, but mostly came home proud of how his team fared. The season ended with the Wolverines missing out on the national championship, but they fought to the end. It’s a proud headball coach.
Here’s everything he said after the game.
Thoughts on the TCU match
Congratulations to TCU. I think we played a great match. A very opportunistic team, a very resilient team, a really great team, no doubt they played a great game of football. There are winners and there are no winners. But it was football that won. It was a great match.
And I am really proud of our fellows. I was talking to my guys about never giving up, never giving up, never giving up, never giving up. And I figured it was — it could have been easier to stand in the locker room at the end of the ball game and congratulate the entire locker room on the heroes. And that’s what they’ve been doing all season, including this game.
It was a great effort by both teams. And I’m really proud of my team. The last big play, another big play by us, another opportunistic play by us, opportunistic play by them, if he had one less, it would be a different situation.
But yeah, it was a great football game. And congratulations to TCU, Dykes and the whole team.
What did he say to the team after the game?
just what i said. I’m really, really proud of them. I am really proud of the fight. They’ve been the heroes’ locker room all season long. that’s them. I was so proud of them. So don’t give up. Never give up, never give up. Please continue playing. Play the game one play at a time. And I’m sure there are many analogies in life with it. But they are real. And our team continues to do so. And a great season to pull it all the way through and end a week early.
On playing JJ McCarthy in the game
Yeah, it was a colossal effort — a phenomenal effort by JJ Titan. I am so proud of him, as if he were my own son. I mean, what a competitor he is! Ronnie Bell, Mike Sainristil — I mean, it could go on.
Day after day, day after week, month after month, year after year, the JJ McCarthy I know is a great, great player, great talented player. Great athlete, great leader. And the best part about him is that he always states that he puts his team ahead of himself and his tremendous competitors. Amazing in his first season as a starter, and I don’t think anyone has done anything quite like him this year.
The pitches he threw, the pitches to Ronnie Bell, Roman Wilson, Colston Loveland, and they were catching — I mean, they were just — at a very, very high level. There is no room for So it’s a tremendous, tremendous testament to what they’ve accomplished today. And it wasn’t easy, there’s a lot – it’s hard to make underthrows/so they were making deep ones.
How surprised I was by TCU’s play
Yeah they did a great job. We broke a really big play that we weren’t fitting well. And it was disappointing.
Like I said, big plays were made and mistakes were made – by both teams. We had one less than we needed and they had one more, so that made a difference in the game.
Were fleas flickering in the game plan?
Yeah, I thought it was executed really well. It was in the game plan and it was great. And run as long as you can.
On Michigan’s Missed Chance at the Goal Line
Yeah, it was like I said — one short to run a touchdown. Turnover – there were a lot of mistakes – they made quite a few mistakes, but we made ours. They made a big play, we made a big play, but he got one less big play.
Why Colston Loveland Ends Around 4-2
We thought it would work and I take full responsibility that it didn’t work. put it on me now They had wires and were well defended. As I sit here now, I wish I had made another call.
Was that the target after all?And an overturned touchdown
We’ll take a closer look. The last play was what they were looking to target and decided it wasn’t. A touchdown — Roman — they ruled he didn’t go into the end zone.
Does he feel okay about the game given the fights in the game?
Of course, I am very proud of the way our team works. I can’t say enough how many amazing plays our players have made in this game. I’m very proud of it, yes.
The story originally appeared on Wolverines Wire