Cam Ward caused controversy by not playing the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Ward played the first half and sat in the second after breaking the Division I record for most career passing touchdowns (156), surpassing Case Keenum.
The arguments were numerous.
Many thought Ward took a risk by playing in a meaningless bowl game as the No. 1 overall pick. On the other hand, others thought Ward was selfishly in it for the recording alone. The Hurricanes lost 32-31.
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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, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The future first-round pick received plenty of praise and criticism, but his now former head coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense this week.
“I don’t feel the need to race to squash the false narratives and a bunch of bullshit — that people like to start because that’s the way they do whatever their job is,” he said. he declared Monday. “This is where it’s at. This is where it’s always been. Cam has been an exceptional, elite, Miami Hurricane. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He’s elevated profile, University of Miami exhibit.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Cam Ward (1) celebrate a 52-45 victory against Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
EX-FLORIDA QB JESSE PALMER TALKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS, FRENCH ONION BEER AND SHEDEUR SANDERS, CAM WARD
“He leaves a legacy that will impact generations to come. I mean, he’s the best I’ve ever known, and I can’t wait to see him lead an NFL franchise to championships and watch him play on Sunday.”
“That’s one of the main reasons why he won 10 games and had the chance to really win every game,” Cristobal added. “He set the tone of what the norm is, right, expectations are moving forward – as difficult as that may be and seem.”
Miami controlled its own destiny in the College Football Playoff heading into the final week of the regular season, but the Canes fell to Syracuse to get eliminated from the ACC title game and lose their chance to make the playoffs . Maybe the conversation would have died down on both sides if Ward had had more to play for in December.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) returns to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both in discussions about being the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, which belongs to the Tennessee Titans.
