Ward is set to be one of the top QBs taken in the draft
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, a potential top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, set the NCAA Division I record for touchdown passes during his bowl game appearance on Saturday and then sat for the second half.
Ward and the Hurricanes played the Iowa State Cyclones in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Ward set the mark with a touchdown pass in the first quarter to Jacolby George. It brought him to 156 career touchdown passes. Emory Williams started the second half, and Miami went on to lose the game, 42-21.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during the first half of the Pop Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was asked about the decision after the game.
"All meetings with players, and decisions like that, we made them in private, we keep them in private," Cristobal said, via ESPN. "So, I'll prefer not to answer any questions as it relates to that. But I know he played his best while he was in there."
Ward’s decision caught the attention of social media as well.
Cam Ward to his Miami teammates pic.twitter.com/kfiaeAMGiu
— Edward S.A. 'Bud' Burruss (@esaburruss) December 29, 2024
I appreciate that Cam Ward, in this day and age in CFB, played at all. But I just can’t imagine starting any game with teammates, especially as a quarterback, and electing to pull myself out while my teammates are still trying to finish the job in a back-and-forth battle.
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) December 28, 2024
I’m a…
I promise you ZERO teams care that Cam Ward only played a half tonight. Move on. Nothing to see here.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 29, 2024
People mad at Cam Ward sitting the 2nd half today ?
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) December 29, 2024
WTF did you think was eventually going to happen when you literally turn a billion $$$ business over to entitled 18-23 yr olds??
I’ve said for years you must protect the schools and the sport 1st
The biggest issue with opt-outs, transfers, etc. is bad advice. Someone convinced Cam Ward this was the way to go. Now he'll have to answer for it over and over and over from now until the NFL Draft is done. pic.twitter.com/ak307oQEQt
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) December 29, 2024
Doing what Cam Ward just did is 10000% times worse than opting out
— Brent (@HJhughes79) December 29, 2024
The quarterback broke Case Keenum’s record. Keenum set the Division I – FBS and FCS – record from 2007 to 2011. He had 155 touchdown passes with the Houston Cougars.
SHEDEUR SANDERS RECEIVES CUSTOM GIANTS CLEATS BEFORE FINAL COLLEGE GAME AS G-MEN OWN NO. 1 PICK
Dec. 28, 2024; Orlando, Fla.: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) stands on the sideline during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)
"Just blessed, man," he told WQAM Radio. "I think I’ve grown so much as a person this year, outside of football. This is the best team that I’ve been around . . . I was just blessed to be here."
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is on the cusp of passing Keenum’s mark as well. He has 153 touchdown passes in six seasons. He could get close to breaking the mark in the College Football Playoff.
Ward may be one of the first of a few talented quarterbacks taken off the board in the spring when the draft begins. Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck are among the top prospects.
Dec. 28, 2024; Orlando, Fla.: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)
"I think Cam’s DNA, his upbringing, everything that he is made of and stands for is the right kind of stuff; the stuff you want your team made of," Cristobal said. "He’s had a tremendous impact on our community, our team, our program, alumni."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
