Miami coach Mario Cristobal talks about why Cam Ward had to sit out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl

One of the most confusing decisions during bowl season came during the Pop-Tarts Bowl Miami quarterback Cam Ward He had to sit out the second half after giving the Canes a narrow lead.

Ward was unstoppable in the first half, giving his team a 31-28 lead before being sent to the bench.

Of course, there were many questions as to why he didn’t play in the second half, given how hard-fought the game was. Miami would end up losing with assist 42-41 Emory Williams was unable to score a game-winning drive in the final minute of the game.

trainer Mario Cristobal According to The Athletic, he refused to explain Cam Ward’s absence after the game, saying “these conversations are private.” Manny Navarro.

“I think all meetings with players and decisions like this, we make them privately and keep them private,” Cristobal said. “Therefore, I will prefer not to answer questions in this regard. I know he did his best there.”

The talented starting quarterback had completed 12 of 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns before his departure. He also ran eight meters twice.

But perhaps most importantly, his leadership skills and cool, collected demeanor were irreplaceable. Miami just didn’t look like the same team without him, scoring just 10 points the rest of the way.

Analysts like Todd McShay immediately questioned the decisionand Twitter was a cacophony of criticism for both Ward and Miami.

“I appreciate Cam Ward even playing in today’s CFB era,” McShay wrote on Twitter. “But I just can’t imagine starting a game with teammates, especially as a quarterback, and deciding to retire while my teammates are still trying to get the job done in a back-and-forth battle.

“I am a realist. I know the climate. I’m not even knocking Cam here. It’s just different.”

Cam Ward was in the midst of one of the most productive seasons in Miami history. On top He became the all-time Division I record holder He helped lead Miami to a 10-2 regular season with his 156th career touchdown pass.

Meanwhile, Ward reached the Pop-Tarts Bowl completing 293 of 435 passes for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns, against seven interceptions. He also ran for 196 yards and four scores.

But instead the season will end with a thud as the momentum from the first half of the season proved fleeting and the Hurricanes lost three of their last four games. And it’s impossible not to wonder what could have happened had Ward played in the second half.