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 sat out the second half .
Ward and the Hurricanes played Iowa State Hurricanes in a bowl of Pop-Tarts. Ward set the mark with a first-quarter touchdown pass 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.
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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, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was asked about the decision after the game.
“All the meetings with the players, and decisions like that, we made privately, we keep them confidential,” said Cristobal. on ESPN. “So, I'm going to choose not to answer any questions related to that. But I know he played his best while he was there.”
Ward's decision also caught the attention of social media.
The quarterback broke Case Keenum's record. Keenum set the Division I record – FBS and FCS – from 2007 to 2011. He had 155 touchdowns and 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 Hurricanes at Camping World Stadium. (Photos by Jasen Vinlove-Imagn)
“It's just luck, 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 ever been on… I was just blessed to be here.”
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is also on pace to surpass Keenum's mark. He has 153 touchdowns in six seasons. He could come close to breaking the mark in the College Football Playoff.
Ward will likely be one of the first talent taken off the board this spring when the draft begins. Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck are among the top prospects.
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December 28, 2024; Orlando, Fla.: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures during the second half against the Iowa State Hurricanes at Camping World Stadium. (Photos by Jasen Vinlove-Imagn)
“I think Cam's DNA, his upbringing, everything he's done and what he stands for are the right kind of things; the things you want your team to be made of,” Cristobal said. said. “He's had a huge impact on our community, our team, our program, our alumni.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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