The numbers are stark and suggest that J.J. McCarthy struggles with Sherrone Moore as Michigan’s head coach.
In three starts this season with Moore as acting head coach, the Michigan quarterback has completed just 61 percent of his throws for 344 yards and two touchdowns. While those numbers seem rather harmless on their face, the completion percentage is well below his season average (73.8) and includes all four of his interceptions, the latest coming Saturday in a 31-24 win at Maryland when he tried forcing a pass over the middle inside the red zone.
Those things happen when you’re playing really good teams,” Moore said after the win. “A guy busted out into coverage and everybody saw it.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy has a completion percentage near 77 percent in the other eight games this season, with someone else as head coach, throwing for 1,991 yards, 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions. And he’s proven to be more effective on the ground.
McCarthy’s legs have become a welcomed addition to the Michigan offense this season, used just enough to keep opponents on their toes and pick up extra yardage as needed. But in the three games with Moore as coach, McCarthy has 26 rushing yards and zero rushing touchdowns. The other eight games? 138 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Could the disparity in the numbers be directly tied to a difference in philosophy with Moore as head coach, or something else? For starters, it’s important to remember that Moore is Michigan’s offensive coordinator and the man in charge of the play calling. That hasn’t changed in the 10 of the 11 games he’s been eligible for this season. He also coaches the offensive line and prides himself in playing a physical, smash-mouth style of football.
