Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, a potential top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, set the NCAA Division I record for touchdown passes during his bowl game appearance on Saturday and then sat for the second half.

Ward and the Hurricanes played in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones. Ward broke through in the first quarter with a touchdown pass to Jacolby George. This gave him 156 touchdown passes in his career. Emory Williams started the second half and Miami lost the game 42-41.

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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 on Saturday, December 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was asked about the decision after the game.

“All meetings with players and decisions like this we made privately, we keep them private,” Cristobal said, via ESPN. “Therefore, I prefer not to answer any questions regarding this. But I know he did his best there.”

Ward’s decision also attracted social media attention.

The quarterback broke Case Keenum’s record. Keenum set the Division I – FBS and FCS – record from 2007 to 2011. He had 155 touchdown passes with the Houston Cougars.

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Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) stands on the sideline during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)

“Just blessed, man,” he told WQAM Radio. “I think I have developed a lot as a person this year outside of football. This is the best team I’ve ever played on… I was just blessed to be here.”

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is on the verge of surpassing Keenum’s mark as well. He has 153 touchdown passes in six seasons. He could almost break the mark in the College Football Playoff.

Ward could be one of the first of a handful of talented quarterbacks taken off the board this spring when the draft begins. Top candidates include Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck.

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Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, Florida: Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) gestures during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)

“I think Cam’s DNA, his upbringing, everything he’s made of and what he stands for is the right stuff; the stuff you want your team to be made of,” Cristobal said. “He had a tremendous impact on our community, our team, our program and our alumni.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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