J.J. McCarthy
ArticlesCollege FootballBy Arthur Weinstein on

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy might as well have been speaking for the entire Michigan Wolverines team with his celebration after the game-clinching touchdown Saturday.

After running back Blake Corum scored on a 30-yard touchdown to give No. 3 Michigan a 24-9 lead over No. 10 Penn State with 4:15 remaining, McCarthy celebrated with his teammates, then starting running off the field.

Then he slowed down to put some faux binoculars to his eyes for several seconds.

He was not mimicking a birdwatcher.

McCarthy’s move was a not-so-subtle dig at Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who trolled Michigan with a binoculars act after a big play earlier in the game. But the mime move also served as a symbolic response to all the critics of  Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal, which resulted in the suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh Friday.

Michigan players and coaches will need some thick skin the rest of the season, as opponents and their fans will bring up the scandal at every opportunity.

McCarthy, a Heisman Trophy hopeful, had by far his quietest game of the season, passing only eight times for 60 yards. But his binoculars move showed that Michigan players can give as well as they take when it comes to criticism.

Some fans on X/Twitter thought it was a brilliant move, while others vented in the opposite direction.

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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