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Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy wore a “FREE Harbaugh” shirt earlier than and after Saturday’s recreation in a nod to teach Jim Harbaugh, who’s serving a school-imposed three-game suspension.

“I simply need my coach again,” McCarthy mentioned after Michigan’s 30-3 win over East Carolina on Saturday.

McCarthy wore the the Harbaugh No. 4 shirt with the phrase “FREE” written in marker on white tape above the coach’s title as he received off the bus, throughout pregame warmups and throughout the postgame information convention.

The workforce lined up in Harbaugh’s notorious practice formation — all aligned in a single file — on the workforce’s first offensive possession whereas the gamers held up 4 fingers in reference to Harbaugh’s jersey quantity from his enjoying days with the Wolverines.

Harbaugh’s ban is a part of the college’s self-imposed sanctions from an NCAA investigation into improper recruiting contact and Harbaugh allegedly not cooperating with the NCAA.

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter served because the appearing head coach in Saturday’s recreation, as offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was additionally serving a one-game suspension associated to the investigation. That did not appear to decelerate the Wolverines, together with McCarthy, who threw for 280 yards and three landing passes within the win.

Harbaugh and Moore, in response to McCarthy, watched Saturday’s recreation collectively as they served their suspensions. Moore shall be again subsequent week for Michigan’s recreation in opposition to UNLV, with Jay Harbaugh and Mike Hart sharing head-coaching duties. Moore will then act as head coach for the third recreation of the season in opposition to Bowling Inexperienced.

Regardless of profitable the sport, McCarthy mentioned the workforce wished Jim Harbaugh on the sideline.

“I personally felt like one thing was lacking as we speak,” McCarthy mentioned after the sport. “And it was undoubtedly him.”