Michigan fans were longing for J.J. McCarthy on Saturday after the Wolverines were walloped by Texas at The Big House as the defense of their national title gets off to a dismal start.
Quarterback Davis Warren wilted in the face of an elite opponent as Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers and his teammates profited from a string of first-half turnovers to lead 24-3 at the interval. The game would finish 31-12, with the Wolverines looking a far cry from the team that went 15-0 last season en route to the national championship.
Michigan (1-1) lost numerous key pieces over the offseason, notably head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has taken charge of the Los Angeles Chargers, and QB McCarthy – the No. 10 overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings. A garbage-time 31-yard touchdown pass to Semaj Morgan added some respectability to the scoreboard, but McCarthy’s former backup Warren finished with just 203 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.