cam suite He generated controversy when he did not play the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Ward played the first half and sat the second after breaking the The section I am registering for most touchdowns in a career (156), surpassing Case Keenum.
The arguments were many.
Many felt that Ward took a risk by playing in a meaningless bowl game as the No. 1 overall pick. On the flip side, others felt that Ward was selfish in this just for the sake of scoring. The Hurricanes lost 32-31.
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Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during the first half of the NCAA's Pop Tarts Bowl college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Rooks)
The future first-round pick received a lot of praise and criticism, but his now-former coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense this week.
“I don't feel the need to race to squash false narratives and a bunch of bulls—that people like to start with because that's their way of doing everything about their job,” he said Monday. “This is where he's at. This is where he's always been. Cam has been an exceptional person, an elite one, for the Miami Hurricanes. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He's raised his profile, and the exposure of the University of Miami.”
Miami coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Cam Ward (1) celebrate a 52-45 win over Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“He leaves a legacy that will have an impact on generations to come. I mean, he's the best I've ever been, and I'm looking forward to watching him lead the NFL to championships and watching him play on Sunday.”
“He is a big reason why he won 10 matches and had the opportunity to win every match,” Cristobal added. “It set the tone for what the standard is, right, the expectation going forward — although that may be hard and right.”
Miami took control of its College Football Playoff destiny heading into the final week of the regular season, but the Canes fell to Syracuse to knock themselves out of the ACC title game and lose their chance to make the playoff. Perhaps the conversation between the two sides could have ended had Ward had more to play for in December.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) returns a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynn Sladky)
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Ward and Shedor Sanders They are both in conversation about being the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, which the Tennessee Titans own.
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