ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. defended Miami quarterback Cam Ward only playing in the first half of a 42-41 Miami loss to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl last month. There has been a national debate on if Ward quit on Miami. Ward played in the Pop-Tarts Bowl while several teammates opted out.
As Kiper Jr. states, Ward put Miami in a position to beat Iowa State and win the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Miami led 31-28 at halftime. With Ward at QB, Miami gained 358 yards in the first half. Ward completed 12 passes in 19 attempts for 190 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half.
Emory Williams relieved Ward and completed five passes in 14 attempts for 26 yards with no TDs and one interception. Miami was unable to beat Iowa State despite having 524 total yards including 308 rushing. The loss to Iowa State was arguably more on the Miami defense.
Iowa State had 415 total yards with 148 coming in the second half. Miami did a good job limiting Iowa State offensively in the second half, but was outscored 14-10 over the final 30 minutes. Inconsistency was an issue for Miami defensively throughout the 2024 season.
Mel Kiper’s thoughts on Cam Ward not playing the 2nd half of Miami’s Bowl Game pic.twitter.com/taZZFdi9lo
— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) January 4, 2025
Mel Kiper Jr. stood up for Cam Ward over the Pop-Tard Bowl drama for Miami
"I've got people calling me saying Cam Ward quit on his team. If you start the game you've got to finish the game. That's nonsense...I always say 50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing...He gave them a half when they had the lead going into the half...A meaningless game right?... If you get hurt in that game you're not playing in the NFL as a rookie with a significant injury this late in the year. He gave them an opportunity. Their defense couldn't stop anybody."ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.
The defense had a stretch with three consecutive drives allowing 33 total yards spanning the first and second half - that did not include a kneel down by Iowa State to end the first half. Iowa State gained 161 yards on its last three drives to rally from a 38-28 deficit. Williams helped Miami extend the lead in the third quarter,
Ultimately as Kiper Jr. states, the debate about whether or not Ward quit on his team came in a meaningless game. Miami did not gain or lose anything by losing to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Ward set Miami single-season records with 4,313 passing yards, 39 passing TDs, 43 TDs responsible for and 4,517 total yards.
Ward unquestionably had the greatest single season by a Miami QB. Ward will undoubtedly become the first Miami QB selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Vinny Testaverde was the No. 1 pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986. Ward will likely eventually be inducted into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame.