Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward set the NCAA Division I record for touchdown passes during his bowl game appearance on Saturday, and then sat out the second half of the game. Ward set the mark with a touchdown pass in the first quarter to Jacolby George, bringing his career total to 156. Emory Williams started the second half, and Miami went on to lose the game 42-41.
Ward’s decision to sit out the second half caught the attention of social media, as he broke the record previously held by Case Keenum, who set the Division I-FBS and FCS record from 2007 to 2011 with 155 touchdown passes. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is also close to breaking Keenum’s mark, with 153 touchdown passes in six seasons.
Ward, a potential top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, is considered one of the top prospects along with Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, and Carson Beck. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised Ward, saying he has had a tremendous impact on the team, community, and program.
Ward himself was humbled by the achievement, telling WQAM Radio, “I think I’ve grown so much as a person this year, outside of football. This is the best team that I’ve been around… I was just blessed to be here.”