J.J. McCarthy discusses keys to hitting on deep balls, why Michigan offense 'shouldn't be stopped'

Michigan Wolverines football has an offense that averages 43 points per game, which ranks seventh in the country. However, the Maize and Blue have put up 34, 27 and 31 points in their Big Ten games against Maryland, Iowa and Indiana, respectively. Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy believes the group has another gear it can hit.

Michigan sputtered in the first half against Indiana, settling for two field goal attempts, punting twice and turning the ball over on downs in addition to scoring one touchdown. The Wolverines turned it on in the second half, scoring three touchdowns in what was into a dominant final two quarters. McCarthy said after the game, his first with over 300 yards passing, that the offense hasn’t even “scratched the surface” of what it can be. He expounded on that thought while meeting with the media Tuesday.

“When you talk about potential and you look at what we have as a group and you look at who we’re coached by and you look at what we’re doing on the field, it’s just not matching up with our potential and what we should be — and where we’re going to be,” the Michigan quarterback said. “Everything is a process, and this entire season is just continual growth week to week, but I feel like we should be not getting stopped offensively. With the talent we have and the scheme, we shouldn’t be stopped.

“Being able to find our groove like we did in the second half [against Indiana] is going to be huge — every drive, every single game. Once we do that, then we’ll break through that surface, for sure.”

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How to find that groove is another story. McCarthy believes more reps will equal more success for the Michigan offense.

“It’s just building up that chemistry,” McCarthy explained. “This is our first year together. We’ve had six games, but I feel like as you can see, every week we’ve been growing in different areas as an offense. I feel like if we continue to be on this track, to continually, exponentially grow in the right direction, at the end of the year, by Ohio State, we’re going to be right where we want, for sure.”

One way Michigan can kick things into a higher gear is to hit on more deep passes. McCarthy leads the nation with a 78.2 completion percentage and has been extremely efficient on short throws, but on passes that travel 20-plus yards in the air, he’s connected on just 6 of his 18 attempts for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception.

“Probably the biggest key and the only key is just myself, just putting the ball on them and really understanding that as I’m recovering from this injury from this offseason, I’m starting to gain my strength back, my hips are more mobile, I’ve gained more strength,” the Michigan quarterback said. “Being able to get back in that rhythm again and not feel like I need to put my all into a throw and realize that I have a strong arm. Just focus on it, see the ball through the throw and deliver it to them. The guys have been doing great getting open, I just have to put the ball on them.”

Michigan took eight deep shots against Maryland but hit on just one. McCarthy said following the 34-27 victory that it was the first time he had felt 100 percent since last season, after suffering a torn labrum in his right shoulder and recovering most of the offseason. He needed the chance to recalibrate his arm, especially on the longer throws.

The Michigan signal-caller worked hard to improve even when he was on a pitch count this offseason. In late June, he told TheWolverine.com he could throw the ball about 50-60 yards in the air, lower than usual but improving from where he was. Now that he’s fully healthy, he believes his arm has gotten even stronger.

“There were a lot of deficiencies in my back and my mechanics that all got fixed this offseason,” McCarthy said. “The whole injury was one of things that was like, ‘’Oh shoot, that’s terrible.’ But is it really? Really wait and see. We have no ability to see the future and see if it really was the worst thing that could’ve happened to you.

” I feel like that was one of those blessings in disguise where, yeah, I was out for spring ball, and that sucked. But in the long run, it was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me.”