The Miami Hurricanes’ thrilling Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup against Iowa State ended in heartbreak, with a 42-41 loss that left fans buzzing.
Of course, the main storyline from the game was Miami quarterback Cam Ward’s controversial decision to sit out the second half.
Ward, who started the game under center, dazzled in the first half by throwing for 190 yards and three touchdowns.
In doing so, he broke the Division I career touchdown passes record. With Ward at the helm, Miami racked up 31 points in the opening two quarters and appeared poised to secure a bowl victory.
However, Ward watched from the sideline after halftime, with sophomore Emory Williams taking over.
Miami’s offensive production slowed considerably, managing just 10 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Iowa State capitalized, scoring a late touchdown and converting the extra point to take the lead with less than a minute remaining.
Fans at Camping World Stadium hoped for Ward’s return to salvage the game, especially as he was seen warming up on the sideline.
Yet, the Hurricanes stuck with Williams, whose final Hail Mary attempt was intercepted, sealing Miami’s defeat.
Ward’s decision to sit out the second half prompted a wave of criticism. Former quarterback Danny Kanell voiced his disapproval on social media.
“I can’t imagine sitting on the sidelines during a game your team can win looking at my teammates putting their bodies on the line and saying ‘Nah I’m good,'” Kanell posted on X.
The optics of what happened were horrible. There’s no other way to put it.
In many ways, Ward would have been much better off had he just decided to opt-out of the game altogether.
However, his decision to pull himself out of the game after breaking an individual record made him look selfish to the majority of football fans. (Especially since it’s a near certainty that Miami would have won had he stayed in.)
Ward, a projected top-three pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, took an unconventional route by playing only the first half.
While many draft-bound players opt out of bowl games entirely, Ward’s approach left many fans scratching their heads.
In fairness, some fans and analysts have come out in support of Ward’s approach and defended his desire to prevent injury.
On the other hand, there was just as much of a chance he would have gotten injured in the first half than the second.
This is why the breaking of the individual touchdown record seemed to be more of a priority to Ward than actually winning the game.
Ward’s season at Miami, his first and only with the program, was nothing short of stellar.
He threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, cementing himself as one of college football’s top quarterbacks.
Still, for some, the heat from his controversial decision will continue to follow him.
In fact, there are some NFL fans who have gone from wanting their team to draft Ward to hoping they don’t because of his perceived “selfish” decision to put himself above his team.
What are your thoughts on Ward’s controversial decision???
