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Michigan Football: Grades, game balls from Wolverines win over UNLV

By Chris Peterson

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) makes a pass against UNLV during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) makes a pass against UNLV during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. /
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In our final look back at the Michigan football win over UNLV, here are our grades and game balls from the Wolverines win. 

Michigan football has gotten plenty of criticism for its non-conference schedule this season and back in 2022.

However, just like last season, Michigan football has dominated the competition. It’s not like the Wolverines are barely winning the game. The starters have been done by the time the fourth quarter started and the first-team defense hasn’t allowed a single point.

J.J. McCarthy has been spectacular. He was 22-of-25 for 278 and two touchdowns. McCarthy has five touchdowns total and is the highest-rated QB in the Big Ten according to Pro Football Focus.

We’ve had quite a few looks back at the Wolverines. Here’s a look at top performers, things we learned, and some takeaways.

Now, here are our grades and game balls from Michigan football’s win over UNLV.

Game balls: J.J. McCarthy, Roman Wilson, and Kenneth Grant

McCarthy was spectacular. Jim Harbaugh talked about it on Monday and said that McCarthy was making “NFL caliber throws”, which he was.

J.J. continues to move up NFL draft boards, just like I predicted he would. The game is slowing down for him and he’s now in complete control.

Wilson got a game ball last week, but when you catch two touchdowns and score on a 47-yard play, it’s hard to deny you. It’s true that McCarthy threw a perfect ball on the 47-yard touchdown, that Wilson got to the end zone.

The dude that took on the No. 1 has responded with two games of more than 75 yards receiving and two touchdowns. He’s also got a connection with McCarthy that’s special and valuable.

Mason Graham was also strongly considered, but I have to give Kenneth Grant the game ball for the defense. Grant had 1.5 sacks, two solo tackles, and two tackles for loss. Graham did force a fumble and both dominated.

Stars do matter in terms of building a winner, but those former three-star recruits show that sometimes, the stars aren’t right and each looks like they’d fit right at home in the SEC.

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