Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward did not return for the second half of the team’s Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup against the Iowa State Cyclones. And naturally, this decision was picked apart by many, including longtime NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay.
After dominating in the first half with 190 yards passing and three touchdowns, Ward headed to the bench in favor of backup quarterback Emory Williams for the second half of the game.
Ward’s decision to sit out the second half led to a ton of discourse on social media. This includes comments from longtime NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, who detailed in a post on X that he “can’t imagine” starting a game as a quarterback only to pull yourself out of a close game as Ward did.
“I appreciate that Cam Ward, in this day and age in CFB, played at all,” wrote McShay. “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. I’m a realist. I know the climate. I’m not even knocking Cam here. It’s just different.”
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.
I’m a…
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) December 28, 2024
There are naturally two ways of thinking about this decision by Ward. Some like McShay seem to feel as if it’s not fair to his teammates to pull himself out of a game that was still quite competitive by halftime.
However, considering McShay has been an NFL Draft analyst for nearly two decades, he should know better than anyone the kind of risk that players projected to go near the top of the draft take on by suiting up for a bowl game that doesn’t even have any implications on the College Football Playoff.
Over the years, there have been countless stories about quarterbacks who ruin their draft stock by suffering a pre-draft injury, which McShay is surely well aware of. As such, it was somewhat surprising to see Ward play at all.
Ward was still able to put out some great film for NFL teams by taking part in the first half of the game, which was likely his biggest end goal of taking part in the game as is.
There were also seemingly other factors that may have gone into Ward’s decision to take part in the game. Ward came into the game tied with former University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum for the Division-1 all-time passing touchdown record.
In the first quarter, Ward was able to break the record on a four-yard passing touchdown to Jacolby George.
CAM WARD SETS THE D-I RECORD FOR MOST CAREER PASSING TDS‼️ pic.twitter.com/NHQsr7ujCd
— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2024
While some like McShay at least somewhat didn’t love Ward’s decision to opt out of playing the second half, others like Dan Le Batard simply thanked Ward for all he has done for the Miami program.
“Thank you, Cam Ward. No one at the University of Miami has ever played quarterback better. You can make the argument no UM athlete, no time, no sport, has ever been better in a single season,” wrote Le Batard on X.
Thank you, Cam Ward. No one at the University of Miami has ever played quarterback better. You can make the argument no UM athlete, no time, no sport, has ever been better in a single season. — Dan.
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) December 28, 2024
Ward was able to get himself the Division-1 passing touchdown record, put out more great film for NFL scouts to see, and get out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl unscathed. So one could argue that individually, it was a great day for Ward.
Unfortunately, things would go downhill for Miami as a team after Ward’s departure. Emory Williams struggled mightily to replicate Ward’s success, completing just 5 of 13 pass attempts in the second half for only 26 passing yards.
With the game on the line, Iowa State would force a game-sealing interception as times expired to come away with a 42-41 victory. So those who were critical of Ward’s decision perhaps have even more ammo to use against him as he prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft.
