Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, a potential top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, set an NCAA Division I record for touchdown passes during Saturday's bowl game appearance and then came on in the second half.
Ward and the Hurricanes faced the Iowa State Cyclones in the Poptarts Bowl. Ward made his mark with a touchdown pass to JaColby George in the first quarter. This brings his total number of touchdown passes to 156. Emory Williams started the second half and Miami lost 42-21.
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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, Florida. (AP Photo/John Rau)
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was asked about the decision after the game.
“All meetings with players and decisions like that are done in private and are kept private,” Cristobal said. Via ESPN. “So I'd rather not answer any questions about that. But I know he did his best during his time there.”
Ward's decision also attracted attention on social media.
The quarterback broke Case Keenum's record. Keenum set Division I (FBS and FCS) records from 2007-2011. He completed 155 touchdown passes with the Houston Cougars.
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December 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. (Jacen Vinlove-Imagen Images)
“I'm truly blessed,” he told WQAM radio. “I think I've grown a lot as a person this year outside of soccer. This is the best team I've ever been on…I'm really lucky to be here.”
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is also trying to surpass Keenum's mark. He has 153 touchdown passes in six seasons. He may come close to breaking the record in the College Football Playoff.
Ward could be the first of a handful of talented quarterbacks to be taken off the board in the spring when the draft begins. Shedur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, and Carson Beck are among the top candidates.
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December 28, 2024. ORLANDO, Fla.: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures during the second half of a game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. (Jacen Vinlove-Imaan Images)
“I think Cam's DNA, his upbringing, what he's made of and what he represents are all the right kind of things. That's what you want on your team,” Cristobal said. “He has had a tremendous impact on our community, team, program and alumni.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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