Miami Hurricanes Quarterback Cam Ward Breaks NCAA Record for Touchdown Passes
In a highly anticipated bowl game appearance on Saturday, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward achieved a remarkable feat, setting the NCAA Division I record for touchdown passes. Despite his incredible performance, Ward made a surprising decision to sit out the second half of the game.
The record-breaking moment occurred during the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where the Hurricanes faced off against the Iowa State Cyclones. Ward secured the record with a touchdown pass to Jacolby George in the first quarter, bringing his career total to an impressive 156 touchdown passes. However, in a surprising turn of events, Emory Williams took over for Ward in the second half, and Miami ultimately lost the game, with a final score of 42-21.
Coach Mario Cristobal addressed the decision to bench Ward during a press conference after the game. He chose to keep the details of the decision private, stating, “All meetings with players, and decisions like that, we made them in private, we keep them in private. 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 to sit out the second half garnered attention on social media, with fans and analysts speculating about the reasoning behind it. Nevertheless, his achievement should not be overshadowed. Ward surpassed Case Keenum’s previous record of 155 touchdown passes, which he set during his time with the Houston Cougars from 2007 to 2011.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Ward expressed gratitude and humility, stating, “Just blessed, man. 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.”
While Ward currently holds the record, another quarterback, Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, is also on the verge of surpassing Keenum’s mark. Gabriel has thrown 153 touchdown passes in his six seasons, and he may have a chance to break the record during the upcoming College Football Playoff.
Looking ahead, Ward is expected to be one of the top prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft. Alongside him, players like Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, and Carson Beck are also highly regarded as potential early picks. Ward’s impact on the Miami community, team, and program has been significant, earning him praise from Coach Cristobal, who described him as having the “right kind of stuff” that builds a strong team.
In conclusion, Cam Ward’s record-breaking performance and subsequent decision to sit out the second half of the game have generated buzz and speculation. As the NFL Draft approaches, Ward’s accomplishments and potential as a top quarterback prospect will undoubtedly be closely watched by football enthusiasts.
