ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY PRUDENTIAL: ALABAMA VS MICHIGAN

January 1, 2024

JJ McCarthy

Michigan Wolverines

On-field quotes

Michigan 27, Alabama 20

Q. JJ, you wanted to get your rose. You just ran across the field to get it. Why was this game so important to you?

JJ McCARTHY: This game means so much to me, and I have superstition like back in hockey like they do with the Stanley Cup. I didn't touch it all week and I just was waiting for this moment to be able to put it in my mouth.

Q. You vowed that this team would get back to the College Football Playoff. Now you've got an opportunity to play for a National Championship. What can you say about the fight of this group?

JJ McCARTHY: I mean, the fight started week one. Everything we've been through, all the adversity, it's a team that goes through that adversity that can't get to the heights we're trying to reach. I feel like we just did a tremendous job of responding to all that and pushing through, and we've got one more game left, so the job is not finished yet?

Q. You just bent over and were looking around and overcome a little bit. How would you describe the emotions that you're feeling right now?

JJ McCARTHY: It's indescribable just because the last two years being able to watch the opposing team celebrate, it's just different when I see the maize and blue confetti on the field. I'm nothing without this head coach, nothing without my teammates, nothing without that defense. Everything was so amazing. It's just really, really amazing.