JJ McCarthy on beating an SEC team to reach national championship: 'It just means everything'

J.J. McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines are moving on to play for a chance at a national title following their victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl.

It was an incredible game, as Michigan outlasted Alabama in overtime when it was all said and done. By virtue of the victory, the Big Ten has their first victory over an SEC program in the CFP since 2014, and now there won’t be an SEC team in the title game.

That represents how far McCarthy and the Wolverines have came, and he elaborated on how much it means to Michigan after the victory, speaking with the media.

“It just means everything,” McCarthy said. “Just think about how far we’ve come, all the hardships that we went through as a team and as a brotherhood. Just being able to do it on this stage. It’s been 26 years since Michigan won in this building, and the second most appearance out of any college in the entire country playing in this game.

“It’s just amazing the way it happened, but ultimately it’s everything that Coach said. We can’t do it without the unity that we have, everything that we went through this entire year made us unbreakable, and in the biggest moments we were going to show up.”

It was a huge victory for Michigan, and a huge victory for the Big Ten as a whole. The Wolverines weren’t pushed around, and they weren’t out-coached. They can take solace in the fact that they represented their conference well, and now they have a shot at a national title.

Moreover, McCarthy played a clean and efficient game for Michigan during their Rose Bowl victory. The Wolverines quarterback would complete 17-27 of his pass attempts for 221 yards and three passing touchdowns.

Additionally, Wolverines star running back Blake Corum also played a considerable role in the victory with 19 carries for 83 yards, one rushing touchdown, and being on the receiving end of one of McCarthy’s TD passes. His lone rushing touchdown came in overtime, giving Michigan the lead and the victory on Monday night.

Now, it’s up to J.J. McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines to finish the story. They’ll be facing a red-hot Washington Huskies team in the finale, and it won’t be a cake walk.

Regardless, Michigan proved they’re ready for any challenge throughout the 2023 season. One more is standing in their way, and they won’t be backing down, that’s for sure.