Running back Damien Martinez and quarterback Cam Ward both finished in the top 10 graded players by Pro Football Focus among participants in non-College Football Playoff Bowl games. Martinez and Ward were the only pair of teammates to receive top 10 PFF grades in the non-CFP games, which is a great look for the Miami Hurricanes.
Martinez led all players in non-CFP bowl games with a 91.8 PFF grade. Martinez ran 14 times for 179 yards and a 75-yard touchdown versus Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The performance put Martinez at 1,002 yards for the season. Martinez averaged 9.13 yards after contact and forced eight missed tackles versus Iowa State.
Martinez's dominant performance versus Iowa State helped Miami rush for 308 yards in the loss. Miami had five runs of 10 or more yards, three by Martinez. Martinez also had runs of 15 and 31 yards. Seven of Martinez's carries versus Iowa State were for first downs.
Miami's Cam Ward and Damien Martinez were brilliant for the Hurricanes this bowl season
Ward was spectacular in his polarizing first half of play versus Iowa State. Ward completed 12 passes in 19 attempts for 190 yards and three touchdowns in his one half of play versus Iowa State. Miami took a 31-28 halftime lead with Ward playing. The Hurricanes had 358 total yards in the first half with Ward at QB.
Highest Graded Bowl Game Performances This Season🔥 pic.twitter.com/GBaiAVgpb8
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 6, 2025
All six of Miami's completions for at least 15 yards, which are deemed big plays, came with Ward in the game. Ward's longest completion was to true freshman JoJo Trader for a 40-yard touchdown. The other five were between 15 and 24 yards. Ward earned an 88.3 PFF grade.
Martinez left the game early in the fourth quarter. Backup QB Emory Williams relieved Ward in the second half. Williams completed five passes in 14 attempts for 26 yards with no touchdowns and his one interception on a hail mary that ended the game.