Ward started the Pop-Tarts Bowl and proceeded to shred Iowa State’s top-five pass defense, throwing for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He did so even without three of his starting receivers, including Miami’s all-time receptions leader Xavier Restrepo, who had opted out.

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

Miami quarterback Cam Ward didn’t take the field for the second half of Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, but Hurricane fans shouldn’t be worried. Miami backup quarterback Emory Williams started for the team to open the third quarter and immediately led the Hurricanes on a touchdown drive.