Having two top QBs is 'a big edge': Jim Harbaugh on Michigan fans booing Cade McNamara
One season after beating Ohio State and ending 2021 in the College Football Playoff, Michigan football finds itself in the middle of an early-season quarterback battle.
Former 2021 five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy found himself as the Wolverines' starting quarterback against Hawaii after Cade McNamara started Michigan's first win of the season against Colorado State.
In his start, McCarthy shined, completing 11 of his 12 pass attempts for 229 passing yards and three touchdowns.
When McCarthy was replaced by McNamara in the middle of Michigan's 56-10 win against Hawaii, Michigan fans booed the Wolverines' quarterback in Michigan Stadium.
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And Michigan fans were not too pleased
Cade McNamara is the QB who led Michigan to that win over Ohio State.
Cade McNamara is the QB who won a Big 10 title.
Cade McNamara helped bring back Michigan.
Cade McNamara should never be booed in Michigan.
Ever.
GoBlue— CHRIS TORELLO (@TorelloSports) September 11, 2022
PSA: There's absolutely no need to boo or do/say anything stupid. Having someone like Cade McNamara on the roster is a huge asset for Michigan. He's a Big Ten Championship winning QB, a really solid QB and a team captain. You can be a J.J. QB1 proponent without being anti-Cade.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) September 11, 2022
Thank you Cade for being a leader, mentoring JJ and all you did last year and may be called to do this year. Anyone who boos you should never go through the gates of Michigan stadium again. Ever. #GoBlue
— 💯〽️💙 4 Ever (@mdecan) September 11, 2022
When asked about the booing in his weekly press conference ahead of Michigan's Week 3 game against Connecticut, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said he hopes fans would see having two quarterbacks like McCarthy and McNamara are an "advantage" like the coaches and team do.
“It’s a big edge for our team to have two really good quarterbacks," Harbaugh said.
McNamara completed four of his six pass attempts for 26 yards and an interception against Hawaii.
McCarthy currently leads the team with 259 passing yards and four total touchdowns on 16 pass attempts, while McNamara had a team-high 24 pass attempts with 162 passing yards, a touchdown, an interception and three sacks.
Ohio State will not see McNamara nor McCarthy until Nov. 26 when the Buckeyes take on Michigan at noon in Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State football's 2022 schedule
Week 1: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10
Week 2: Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12
Week 3: Ohio State vs. Toledo, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., in Columbus, Ohio
Week 4: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m., Columbus, Ohio
Week 5: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m., Columbus Ohio
Week 6: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Oct. 8, East Lansing, Mich.
Week 8: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Oct. 29, State College, Pa.
Week 11: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Nov. 19, College Park, MD.
Week 12: Ohio State vs. Michigan, at noon Nov. 26, Columbus, Ohio
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jim Harbaugh talks Michigan fans booing Cade McNamara