J.J. McCarthy found college success with one Harbaugh as his coach.
Will the quarterback find NFL success with another Harbaugh as his mentor?
The former Nazareth star, who won a national championship with Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh, was traded from Minnesota to the New York Giants on Sept. 26. There he will be coached by Jim’s brother, John.
“When I got the call here, it was a shock,” McCarthy told reporters on Oct. 2. “I didn’t anticipate it, but at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity. I love these guys already and I can’t wait to do it for them.”
McCarthy, who was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 2024, had injury problems and made just 10 NFL starts. He was designated active for the Giants’ Oct. 4 matchup with Arizona but did not play in the 36-24 win.
In his 10 appearances — all in 2025 — he completed 140 passes in 243 attempts for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was sacked 27 times.
SXU falls short
Mount Carmel graduate Owen Schickel forced a fumble at the Defiance 32-yard line late but St. Xavier’s comeback attempt fell short at the 12 and the Cougars lost 35-30 on Oct. 3 in a Mid-States Football Association crossover in Ohio.
The Blainey Dowling-to-Coen Demack connection was still in good working order with Dowling throwing for 321 yards and three touchdowns and Demack catching 14 passes for 157 yards and two scores for the Cougars (1-4).
SXU has one more crossover game, hosting Lawrence Tech (3-2) at noon Oct. 10 in a homecoming game at Deaton Field.
CSU falls to national power
Chicago State led 7-0 after one quarter against unbeaten Tarleton State, ranked No. 4 in in the FCS national poll, but fell 56-21 on Oct. 3 in Stephensville, Texas.
Ashton Pennell threw for 292 yards for CSU (1-5). But the Cougars struggled on the ground, rushing for 13 yards on 31 carries. Tarleton is 5-0.
The Cougars take a week off and return at 11 a.m. Oct. 17 with a road game against North Carolina A&T State (1-5).
T-Bolts part of league change
The Frontier League will rebrand as National Association of Professional Baseball in 2027.
The Windy City Thunderbolts will be in the Midwest Conference West division with the Cleburne Railroaders, Gateway Grizzlies, Joliet Slammers and Mississippi Mud Monsters.
Flag football postseason underway
Flag football regional semifinals and finals take place this week with sectional semifinals starting Saturday.
After regional quarterfinal action, Argo, Reavis, Morton, St. Laurence and Lyons were still alive at the Lyons Sectional, while Mother McAuley, Marist and Sandburg were alive at the Rich Sectional. De La Salle was alive in the Oak Park-River Forest Sectional.