Miami hurricanes Quarterback Cam Ward, one of the top potential picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, set an NCAA Division I record for touchdown passes during his appearance in Saturday's bowl game and then sat out the second half.
Ward and the Hurricanes played a role Iowa tornadoes In a Pop-Tarts bowl. Ward set the mark with a first-quarter touchdown pass to Jacolby George. It got him 156 career touchdown passes. Emory Williams started the second half and Miami lost the game by a score of 42-21.
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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 on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Rao)
Miami coach Mario Cristobal was asked about the decision after the game.
Cristobal said: “All the meetings with the players, and decisions like that, we made in private, and we keep them private.” Via ESPN. “So, I'd rather not answer any questions about that. But I know he played his best football while he was there.”
Ward's decision also caught social media attention.
The quarterback broke Case Keenum's record. Keenum set the Division I record — FBS and FCS — from 2007 to 2011. He had 155 touchdown passes with Houston Cougars.
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December 28, 2024; ORLANDO, FL: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) stands on the sideline during the first half against the Iowa State Hurricanes at Camping World Arena. (Photos by Jacen Vinlove-Imagine)
“Congratulations, man,” he told WQAM radio. “I think I've grown a lot as a person this year, outside of football. This is the best team I've been with… I've been lucky to be here.”
Oregon State quarterback Dillon Gabriel is on pace to pass Keenum's mark as well. He has 153 touchdown passes in six seasons. He could come close to breaking the mark in the College Football Playoff.
Ward may be one of the first talented quarterbacks taken off the board in the spring when the draft begins. Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, and Carson Beck are among the top candidates.
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December 28, 2024; ORLANDO, FL: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures during the second half against the Iowa State Hurricanes at Camping World Arena. (Photos by Jacen Vinlove-Imagine)
“I think Cam's DNA, his upbringing, everything he's created and represents are the right kind of things; the things you want your team to be made of,” Cristobal said. “He has had a tremendous impact on our community, our team, our program, and our alumni.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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