Miami football’s Cam Ward delivered another standout performance, and head coach Mario Cristobal didn’t hold back in sharing his thoughts after a dramatic and controversial win over Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes’ victory came under scrutiny due to an overturned touchdown call at the end of the game, but it didn’t overshadow Ward’s impressive outing, which even caught the attention of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes.
Despite the controversy, Ward’s play was nothing short of remarkable. Known for his calm under pressure, Ward displayed that poise again in this game, even though Miami was down by 10 points at halftime to an unranked opponent.
Ward did throw two interceptions, but he bounced back by tossing four touchdown passes, amassing 343 yards and making several highlight-reel plays. His perseverance earned praise from Cristobal, who said Ward was “unfazed” despite the setbacks, according to Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald.
“That guy, we saw everything he went through,” Cristobal said. “The times he got hit, [three] sacks, a bad pick, but what did he do? He just kept going and going. That’s who he is—he’s unfazed. I’m proud of him for being a tough guy and finding a way to win.”
Ward’s connection with wide receiver Xavier Restrepo was key to the Hurricanes’ comeback, with Restrepo catching five passes for 60 yards. After the game, Restrepo boldly proclaimed Ward as the best quarterback in the country.
“We have unlimited respect for and confidence in Cam,” Restrepo said. “He’s the best quarterback in the nation, and I say that with everything I’ve got. That dude’s a baller—he never gives up.”
Ward Gets Praise for Heroic Play
Ward’s performance even caught the eye of Patrick Mahomes, who specifically highlighted a crucial play late in the game. With Miami trailing and just two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Ward managed to escape a sack and make a miraculous pitch to tight end Elijah Arroyo for a first down, keeping Miami’s hopes alive. Arroyo praised Ward for the play, which proved pivotal as the Hurricanes mounted their comeback.
“He’s that guy,” Arroyo said. “No one else could have made that play. It was incredible to see up close.”
However, the Hurricanes’ win almost slipped away when Virginia Tech appeared to score on a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds. Initially ruled a touchdown, the call was later overturned, sparking controversy. The ACC even issued a statement after the game, addressing the contentious decision.
Ward, reflecting on the moment, admitted that waiting on the final call was nerve-wracking but said he had faith the ruling would go in Miami’s favor.
“You feel helpless in that moment,” Ward said. “You leave it up to the officials, and that’s not where you want to be. But I was confident it would be overturned—everyone was out of bounds. If it hadn’t been, I don’t know what we’d be saying right now. Hopefully, we don’t end up in that situation again.”
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