The Miami Hurricanes fell in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to Iowa State over the weekend, 42-41. After the game, many were critical of quarterback Cam Ward. Ward

Miami coach Mario Cristobal tried to explain why quarterback Cam Ward didn’t play in the second half of Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl by not explaining it at all. Ward didn’t finish out the bowl game loss to Iowa State, which presumably had to do with the unnecessary injury risk ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Pop-Tarts Bowl wasa summary of what the entire season was for the Miami Hurricanes. Cam Ward is amazing and everything after him has question marks. That includes coaching head coach Mario Cristobal took to the podium after losing three of the last four games to end the season as the Hurricanes fail to close out the Iowa State Cyclones.

It’s making sure that our our task is not only to develop great football players and win games, it’s also to develop young men for what is right and how to do things the right way.’

Mario Cristobal comments on Cam Ward's absence in the second half of Miami's Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State.

Cam Ward's decision to only play the first half of Miami's 42-41 loss against Iowa State in this year's Pop-Tarts Bowl proved to be extremely

As great as Cam Ward's one and only season was at the University of Miami, it ended on a sour note. After narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff, the Hurricanes settled for an appearance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State.