In the latest version of the J.J. McCarthy sampler pack, the freshman quarterback dazzled the Michigan Stadium crowd with a pair of carries that juked defenders, broke tackles and gained 36 yards on a drive.
Yet neither of those scrambles represented McCarthy’s signature moment during Michigan’s 33-7 win over Northwestern last weekend. In fact, his most jaw-dropping play of the afternoon came on a snap that didn’t count — erased by an unnecessary penalty on guard Chuck Filiaga for an illegal blindside block.
The Wolverines faced fourth-and-3 from the NU 14 near the midway point of the fourth quarter.