JJ McCarthy led his Michigan Wolverines to a thrilling overtime victory in the Rose Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

McCarthy threw for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Wolverine defense held Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to just 116 yards passing and the Tide only scored 20 points.

After the game, McCarthy spoke with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge. The QB spoke about how much this win meant for him and his team.

“This game just means so much to me and I like the superstition they have in hockey with the Stanley Cup. I didn’t touch it all week and I was just waiting for this moment (to touch a rose),” he said.

McCarthy then spoke about the adversity Michigan faced all season, and how it helped the Wolverines when it mattered most.

“The fight started Week 1, everything we’ve been through, all the adversity. It’s a team that goes through that adversity can’t get to the heights we’re trying to reach,” he said. “So I just feel like we did a tremendous job of responding through all of that, and pushing through and we’ve got 1 more game left, so job’s not finished yet.”

Against Georgia and TCU in recent years, Michigan has been on the other sideline, and that’s why this one meant more to McCarthy.

“It’s indescribable, just because the last 2 years, being able to watch the opposing team celebrate,” he said. “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 the defense. Everything was so amazing, it’s just really, really amazing.

As McCarthy mentioned, the Wolverines finally get to advance after coming up short in each of the last 2 seasons. The QB will now get the chance to lead his team in the national championship. The Wolverines will play the winner of the Washington vs. Texas matchup.