Cam Ward has been prolific in career versus California
In the 2022 game, Ward completed 11 passes of 15 yards or more. California sacked Ward once in their 28-9 loss in 2022. California is fourth in the ACC allowing 182.3 passing yards per game. Miami plays six of the top seven pass defenses in the ACC this season, with the Hurricanes second in the conference versus the pass.
California leads the ACC allowing only six completions of 20 or more yards in 2024. Ward leads the ACC with 74 completions of 10 or more yards and 35 of 20 or more yards. Haynes King of Georgia Tech and Ward are tied for first in the ACC with 11 completions of 30 or more yards.
Ward should enter the game confident versus California with his past success versus the Golden Bears and the run he in on in 2024. Ward has to significantly cut down on the six lost turnovers versus California in the last two seasons. Peter Sirmon has been the Cal defensive coordinator since 2019 and has a history of defending Ward.
Next. Miami will face toughest 2024 pass defense versus California. Miami will face toughest 2024 pass defense versus California. dark
Sirmon will be able to use video from the past two seasons of how Ward performs versus his defense and adapt that to the Shannon Dawson offense for Miami in 2024. Ward also has the advantage of facing Sirmon's defense in the last two seasons. Ward is having his best FBS season and on pace to set several career highs.