# @michigandaily on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CxEGyxtN632
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/8568263-michigandaily-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/fda9ffc76e.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-09-11T20:00:07.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Michigan Daily (@michigandaily) — https://gondola.cc/michigandaily

## Caption

Finishing with a 207.8 passer rating and 316 total yards on the day, junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn’t have to travel to Las Vegas to play with house money.

It’s all in the difference a year can make.

364 days after his first-career start against Hawaii — and without a quarterback controversy looming over his head — McCarthy played like he still had a job to win. Lacing passes and contributing on his feet, McCarthy displayed calm maturity en route to the No. 2 Michigan football team’s (2-0 overall) trouncing of UNLV (1-1), 35-7.

“(That) was the real J.J. McCarthy,” senior wide receiver Roman Wilson said. “I think he put in a lot of work over this offseason and it’s just him being a lot more natural and relaxed in the game.”

That relaxed attitude only bolstered  his passing attack. 

McCarthy and his receivers went after the Rebels’ secondary early and often. The junior completed his first 13 consecutive passing attempts, culminating in a 22-for-25 performance.

Pledging throughout the offseason to be ‘50-50’ with the run and pass game, McCarthy and the Wolverines executed their second consecutive week of ample throwing workload. As UNLV keyed in on the run, McCarthy was once again tasked with shouldering the offensive load.

This time though, instead of last year’s cautionary anticipation, a more poised McCarthy displayed why the last 364 days have been his and his alone.

To read more from this week's #SportsMonday cover, click the link in our bio or pick up a print paper from newsstands on Wednesday.

✍️: John Tondora
📸: julianneyoonphoto and sarahboekephoto 
🎨: Lys Goldman

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