Cam Ward's decision to only play the first half of Miami's 42-41 loss against Iowa State in this year's Pop-Tarts Bowl proved to be extremely

Everyone from Ringer NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay to College Football Hall of Fame head coach Steve Spurrier criticized the move, joining thousands of others on social media as Ward stood on the sidelines during the second half a 42-41 loss to Iowa State. From one perspective, it looked like a snap decision to opt out.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward didn’t take the field for the second half of Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, but Hurricane fans shouldn’t be worried. Miami backup quarterback Emory Williams started for the team to open the third quarter and immediately led the Hurricanes on a touchdown drive.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal was short on specifics on why Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward only played the first half of a Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State. Ward had a big first half for the Hurricanes,

Miami Hurricanes head football coach Mario Cristobal is declining to explain why quarterback Cam Ward only played one half in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Ward only played the first half in Saturday’s match-up against Iowa State as the Hurricanes lost the game 42-41.

Ward completed 12 of 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the first half before giving way to Emory Williams.

The two bowl games — the No. 23 Buffaloes’ Alamo Bowl matchup against No. 17 BYU and the Miami-Iowa State Pop-Tarts Bowl — featured the two top-rated quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. It was a surprise to many that both Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward played in their bowl games.

Speak co-host Michael Irvin joins Colin Cowherd to discuss Cam Ward sitting out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

As great as Cam Ward's one and only season was at the University of Miami, it ended on a sour note. After narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff, the Hurricanes settled for an appearance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State.