Thanks to an impressive performance from quarterback Cam Ward, Miami was able to improve its 2024 record to 9-0 after a 53-31 win over Duke on Saturday.
During the victory, Ward completed 61 percent of his passes for 400 yards, five touchdowns and only one interception.
Three of his five touchdown passes landed in the hands of Hurricanes receiver Xavier Restrepo, including a dazzling 34-yard connection on the team’s first offensive drive of the matchup.
For Ward, it’s his third game of the season with over 400 passing yards and multiple touchdown passes, and it’s also the second time this year that he’s tossed at least five touchdowns in a contest.
Through nine games, the senior quarterback has already thrown for a total of 3,146 yards and 29 touchdowns. In addition to the numbers he’s put up with his arm this year, he’s also added 186 yards and three scores on the ground.
With Ward’s final touchdown toss on Saturday, he tied Miami’s all-time school record for touchdown passes in a single season, which was set at 29 by former Hurricanes quarterback Steve Walsh in 1988.
The current Miami starting signal-caller is also now only 497 yards away from breaking the school’s all-time record for passing yards in a single season, which was set at 3,642 yards in 1984 by former Hurricanes quarterback Bernie Kosar.
Ward’s performance on Saturday will undoubtedly increase his odds to win this season’s Heisman Trophy. The Miami quarterback was already among the favorites for the award heading into this weekend, and the exceptional numbers he put up during the victory over the Blue Devils will only help his chances.
Ward is also far from being done this season. With three games left on the Hurricanes’ 2024 regular-season schedule, plus likely appearances in the ACC Championship and the 12-team College Football Playoff, the senior quarterback has the potential to obliterate multiple school records.
Miami and Ward will find out exactly where they currently stand after their latest win when the first 2024 College Football Playoff rankings are released on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
