Projected top-five NFL Draft pick and Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward sparked a firestorm of scathing criticism after sitting out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State. Despite the junior QB’s historic first-half performance with New York Giants GM Joe Schoen in attendance, Miami fell 42-41 in a dramatic back-and-forth contest, leaving fans and analysts debating his decision to step away.

Ward inked his name in the NCAA record books during the first half, throwing his 156th career touchdown pass, which was a 4-yard strike to Jacolby George with 4:12 left in the first quarter. The throw cemented Ward as the all-time touchdown leader in Division I history, and he finished the half [and game] with 190 passing yards and three touchdowns before handing the keys to sophomore quarterback Emory Williams.

Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal addressed the controversial decision, stating it was made privately and would remain that way. While Ward’s early exit wasn’t publicly explained, it has fueled speculation about his focus on staying healthy ahead of the NFL Draft.

Williams initially continued Miami’s offensive momentum, teaming up with running back Damien Martinez for another touchdown. But as the game wore on, the Hurricanes sputtered out of control. After a critical incompletion and a pass for a loss late in the fourth quarter, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht punched in a 1-yard touchdown with 56 seconds left to give the Cyclones a one-point lead.

Miami’s final drive ended in heartbreak when Williams’ pass was intercepted by Iowa State’s Drew Surge as time expired, which sealed the Cyclones’ victory. Ward’s decision to step aside drew mixed reactions from prominent voices in the football world. Critics like ESPN’s Todd McShay questioned the optics of leaving mid-game, particularly as a quarterback and leader.

“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 and electing to pull myself out while my teammates are still trying to finish the job,” McShay wrote. “I’m not even knocking Cam here. It’s just different.”

Cam Ward in the first half of the Pop-Tarts bowl

Cam Ward only played one half against Iowa St ( 

Image:

Getty)

Others, like ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee, suggested Ward was poorly advised. “Someone convinced Cam Ward this was the way to go. Now he’ll have to answer for it over and over from now until the NFL Draft is done.” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah took a more forgiving stance, comparing Ward’s choice to those of star players like Christian McCaffrey, who opted out of bowl games in years past. “Teams do not care. It’s a non-issue. Period,” he wrote.

SiriusXM’s Geoff Schwartz agreed with Jeremiah’s assessment and said, “NFL teams will ask him zero questions about why he sat out the second half of a bowl game.” Ward’s draft stock remains strong despite the controversy.

CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports analysts project him as the No. 1 overall pick to the Giants, while Walter Football predicts he’ll go No. 3 to the Las Vegas Raiders. USA Today places him at No. 6 overall. With 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns, and eight interceptions on the season, Ward’s decision will come to light as he navigates the NFL Draft process through team interviews and media appearances.