Miami's Cam Ward Reacts to Dramatic Win vs. Virginia Tech After Overturned Hail Mary
September 28, 2024
Miami quarterback Cam Ward turned his on-field celebration gesture into an emoji celebration following Friday's dramatic 38-34 win over Virginia Tech.
In a post on X after the game, Ward used a hand covering the mouth and the palm down emojis in reference to his celebration usually reserved for throwing a touchdown pass.
The seventh-ranked Hurricanes survived a tough test from Virginia Tech on a controversial finish when the officials ruled the Hokies' Hail Mary pass incomplete on review after it was originally ruled a touchdown.
The ACC said in a statement the call was overturned because review determined a Miami player was out of bounds and touched the loose ball, making it an incomplete pass and ending the play immediately.
On3 @On3sportsThe ACC issued a statement on the controversial call at the end of the Virginia Tech vs. Miami game:<br><br>"During the review process of the last play, It was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds which makes it an incomplete pass and… <a href="https://t.co/ClTwRiDUxO">pic.twitter.com/ClTwRiDUxO</a>
There was one angle of the play that showed no one had control of the ball when everyone fell to the ground.
Miami cornerback Tyler Rowe and Virginia Tech wide receiver Da'Quan Felton immediately started fighting for control, but the upper half of Rowe's body was on the white line out of bounds at the back of the end zone when he touched the ball.
The Hurricanes looked to be in trouble deep into the third quarter after falling behind 27-17. Ward, who had two interceptions in his first four games, threw two picks and lost a fumble in Miami's first eight possessions on Friday night.
Miami's offense closed the game with touchdowns on each of its final three drives. Ward accounted for all five of the team's touchdowns in the game (four passing, one rushing). His celebration was frequently on display, including when Virginia Tech safety Mose Phillips III mocked it after picking off a pass in the second quarter.
Virginia Tech Football @HokiesFBHe'll take that 🤪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisIsHome?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThisIsHome</a> | 📺 on ESPN | <a href="https://twitter.com/MosePhillips3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MosePhillips3</a> <a href="https://t.co/uTR0JdgYG8">pic.twitter.com/uTR0JdgYG8</a>
There are several theories about what the celebration means, but no definitive answer about it. Ward told reporters on Sept. 4 he got the gesture from an old offensive coordinator (starts at 2:00 mark).
One of the theories is that Ward is covering his nose and waving the "stink" away to insult the opposing team. It's also been posited that the gesture is an elephant waving its trunk.
Whatever the actual meaning of it is, Ward is having a lot of success in his first season as Miami's quarterback. The Washington State transfer leads FBS in passing yards (1,782) and passing touchdowns (18).
Miami improved to 5-0 with Friday's win and is ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2020.
