Cam Ward Has CFB Fans Torn on Heisman Race amid No. 8 Miami's Epic Comeback vs. Cal

Julia StumbaughOctober 6, 2024

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 27, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Miami quarterback Cam Ward's Heisman Trophy candidacy experienced quite the roller-coaster ride in Saturday's 39-38 win over California.

The Hurricanes trailed by 20 points with a little over 14 minutes left in the game and their starting quarterback was partially culpable for the massive deficit. With his team down by 11 in the third quarter, Ward threw a pick-six to Golden Bears defensive back Nohl Williams.

ACC Network @accnetwork
NOHL WILLIAMS PICK-SIX OFF OF CAM WARD 😳 CAL TAKES A THREE-SCORE LEAD AGAINST NO. 8 MIAMI 😱 <a href="https://t.co/lX4VCj6Sqg">pic.twitter.com/lX4VCj6Sqg</a>

The decision to make the throw on the first play of the second half shocked fans, who were used to seeing more accurate passing from Ward as he headed into Week 6 as the ACC leader in passing touchdowns.

Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenberg
I can't believe Cam Ward just did that.

Jovan @jovan_deeb
CAM WARD WORST THROW OF ALL TIME CANDIDATE LMFAOOOOO

Doug Gottlieb @GottliebShow
Cam Ward with arguably the worst throw a good player has ever made

Gaby Urrutia @GabyUrrutia247
Unbelievably terrible decision by Cam Ward turns into a pick six to the nation's leader in that category.

Michael Preston @RM_Preston
Cam Ward can throw the prettiest 60 yard pass you've ever seen and also throw the dumbest pick in the history of the sport. A true man of contrasts.

Ricky Raines @rickyboboddy
Oh no, Cam Ward 😔 Can't do that.

David Kenyon @Kenyon19_BR
I cannot possibly imagine how Miami's coaches went into the locker room, told Cam Ward that he needs to chill the heck out and take the easy pass, and his first throw of the second half was THAT

Brentley Weissman @Brentley12
THIS is the Cam Ward I know. Once he faces a PAC-12 team he's back to his old ways 😬

Ward entered Saturday's game having completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns and four interceptions, while adding 146 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to help Miami out to a 5-0 start.

His struggles against Cal led some fans to question whether the Hurricanes would be able to hold on to the team's top-10 AP ranking going forward.

BFriedACC @BFriedACC
Cam Ward's insistence on trying to make something out of nothing isn't just the Heisman, it's about to cost Miami an incredibly damaging loss.

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𝚜𝚎𝚊 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 🏴‍☠️〽️☘️ @cryo_____
The Miami Hurricanes playoff dream was nice while it lasted 🕊️ (The Cam Ward Heisman campaign too)

Moneyline M @MattyPBets
Miami has no chance in the CFP, even if they win the ACC. They done first round.

With Miami's perfect season and Ward's Heisman hopes potentially in tatters, the senior redeemed himself in the fourth quarter.

Miami scored 21 unanswered points to come from behind and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Ward was responsible for all three scores with two touchdown passes and a 24-yard touchdown run.

He wound up going 35-of-53 for 437 yards, two touchdowns and one interception through the air and ran for 15 yards and the one score on six carries.

It will be fascinating to see how Miami's comeback influences the Heisman race. A lot of voters had probably tucked in for the night by the time Ward had his best moments, which is the downside of a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Berkeley. You also can't give him credit for his late heroics without taking into account everything that happened before the fourth quarter.

RedditCFB @RedditCFB
lol Cam Ward getting a "Heisman Moment" at 2:23 a.m. Eastern as if the voters didn't go to sleep several hours ago

Chris Williamson @CWilliamson44
Cam ward's Heisman odds right now lol for this comeback <a href="https://t.co/rybbMtzAKz">pic.twitter.com/rybbMtzAKz</a>

John @iam_johnw
Cam ward seeing everyone call him beating cal a " heisman moment " when the only reason Miami was down 25 was because he had a pick 6 and multiple bad decisions <a href="https://t.co/6Q9xixGT7U">pic.twitter.com/6Q9xixGT7U</a>

Robert Griffin III @RGIII
Cam Ward and Miami pull off UNREAL comeback wins in back to back weeks. It just might be Miami's year to get to the CFP. 🤯

Brandon Walker @BFW
Cam Ward with a Heisman level comeback here. Went 90 yards in a minute.

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
This was Cam Ward's "worst" game of 2024: 437 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Ward wasn't the only Heisman hopeful whose stock either took a hit or may not have improved much Saturday. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe went 18-of-24 for one touchdown while throwing an interception and taking a strip-sack as the No. 1 Crimson Tide lost in a stunning upset to the unranked Vanderbilt Commodores.

If top quarterbacks continue to struggle, Heisman voters' attention could potentially turn to a non-quarterback like Colorado's Travis Hunter or Boise State's Ashton Jeanty for the first time since 2009.

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