The college football spectacle that is the Pop-Tarts Bowl took place Saturday evening and before the living Pop-Tart was sacraficed, Iowa State cameback to beat Miami 42-41 in a thriller. But had Miami quarterback Cam Ward played the entire game that would likely been a different story. Ward completed 12 of 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, leading Miami to a 31-28 halftime lead. In doing so, Ward set the NCAA Division I record for most career passing touchdowns (156).
But after halftime, Ward ghosted. Sure, he remained on the Miami sideline for the duration but he didn’t play a snap in the second half. Miami marched 78 yards for a touchdown in its first possession of the second half but wouldn’t find the end zone again. Emory Williams, who replaced Ward after halftime, completed just 5 of 12 passes for 26 yards and threw a costly interception. Miami’s defense kept the Hurricanes in front for the majority of the second half but couldn’t keep Iowa State out of the end zone late as the Cyclones scored to take a 42-41 advantage with a minute to play. All the while, Ward watched with a solid view from the Hurricanes sideline. He got the record, but Miami got handed the loss. I understand bowl games aren’t what they used to be but playing for a record and not to win the actual game rubs me wrong.
Memories of Lou Holtz and Chris Zorich in Notre Dame’s 1988 Cotton Bowl Loss
Before Chris Zorich became a key part of Notre Dame’s 1988 national championship team he was a reserve underclassman on the 1987 squad. That team started the year 8-1 before losing at both Penn State and Miami in the final two weeks. The Irish were then blown out by Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, 35-10, and finished the year 8-4. Although the loss didn’t cost Notre Dame a national championship, Zorich was incredibly disappointed in the locker room following the game. Don’t take my word for it though, instead let former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz tell the story.
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