Michigan tackle Ryan Hayes addresses fans booing Cade McNamara

Cade McNamara’s interception midway through the third quarter of a dominant Michigan win over Hawai’i was the final data point, the last piece in a puzzle where the picture had become increasingly clear: J.J. McCarthy was going to be the Wolverines’ starting quarterback going forward. As McNamara, visibly frustrated, left the rain-soaked field, a smattering of boos came down from the Michigan Stadium crowd.

McNamara, elected a captain for this season by his teammates, was the starter for Michigan a year ago when he led the Wolverines through a historic season where they vanquished Ohio State, won the Big Ten for the first time in nearly two decades and made a first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. For the home crowd to boo McNamara was beyond the pale in the eyes of offensive tackle Ryan Hayes.

“We hate that,” Hayes said on Tuesday. “We would hate for any of our brothers to get booed. I think that it’s pretty ridiculous for our stadium to do that to one of our players that was a captain on this team, lead us to all those victories last year. I mean, Cade was a big part of that offense last year and leading to Ohio State, Iowa and then to the playoffs. So we hate that stuff, to be honest.”

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McNamara has certainly underwhelmed in his two public showcases against Colorado State and now Hawai’i. While he wasn’t helped by his receivers much against the Rams and his sample size against the Rainbow Warriors was quite limited, the offense struggle to sustain drives at times with McNamara in, particularly in the red zone.

But more than McNamara losing the job, McCarty went out and took it — mostly with his performance against Hawai’i. McCarthy dazzled in his first start at Michigan, completing 11-of-12 passes (the incompletion was a drop off the receivers hands) for 229 yards and three touchdowns. The competition was certainly not comparable to what he’ll face in the Big Ten, but McCarthy’s arm and running ability were too tantalizing in games to pass up.

McNamara’s recent play has left a lot to be desired and that’s no secret, but Hayes and his Michigan teammates recognize the cachet he has after all he did a year ago. Cachet that shouldn’t go overlooked by fans.

“Cade last year, and this year, just a great leader,” Hayes said. “He’s confident in himself, he doesn’t make mistakes, he’s just — he was that solid quarterback that our offense need to keep us all together, to not turn the ball over, to make throws when needed. And he just did all those things right last year and he’s continued to do that in camp. These first couple games, I mean, I don’t know quarterback play, but when he’s out there treat him just the same. Like, he leads our offense, he leads us. He’s a great leader, great captain. So, we love Cade.”