Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward might have jeopardized his future earnings during a game that elevated him to the all-time D-I leader in passing touchdowns. The incident occurred during the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28, where Miami narrowly lost to Iowa State 42-41. Ward played the first half, amassing 190 yards and 3 touchdowns, surpassing Case Keenum’s career record with 158 touchdown passes. However, his absence in the second half sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing him of selfishness and poor leadership.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic later clarified that benching Ward mid-game had been a pre-discussed possibility. Feldman reported that Ward’s decision to play at all—rather than opting out to prepare for the NFL draft—demonstrated commitment to his team. According to program sources, Ward agreed to start the game to prevent as many as 10 teammates from opting out, knowing that his participation would encourage them to play.
Despite this, Ward’s partial participation and record-breaking performance created a unique scenario for criticism. Critics argue Miami head coach Mario Cristobal should have clarified Ward’s planned limited role, as the lack of transparency has fueled skepticism about the explanations offered post-game. As a projected No. 1 NFL draft pick, any drop in Ward’s draft position due to this controversy could significantly impact his financial prospects.
