Cam Ward Named Player of the Week With Strong Performance

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The No. 12 Miami Hurricanes traveled to the home of the Florida Gators on Aug. 31 for a showdown with their in-state rivals. While expectations and questions were at a fever pitch for both teams, the Hurricanes (1-0) and quarterback Cam Ward were the ones to answer their questions the best. What followed was a 41-17 win by the Hurricanes over the Gators (0-1).

Ward vs. the Gators

With Ward leading the offense, the Hurricanes flourished. On the day, Ward completed 26-of-35 passes for 385 yards and 3 touchdowns. While he threw just 1 interception, he completed 74 percent of his passes. He was efficient and made throws from the pocket and on the run. For all the evaluators, he also completed throws off-angle.

As a result of his strong performance, Ward was named the Player of the Week by the Maxwell Football Club. Already named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, being named Player of the Week is a strong opening statement for his hopes to win the award.

How Ward Got to the Hurricanes

Ward was arguably the biggest acquisition the Hurricanes and head coach Mario Cristobal made in the Transfer Portal this offseason. Beginning his career at Incarnate Word at the FCS level, Ward's journey to Miami took a turn through Washington State. What has been consistent is Ward's ability to make plays. Over his previous three seasons, he lit up the stat sheet with 13,874 yards and 95 touchdowns.

After spending two seasons with the Cougars, Ward flirted with the idea of entering the NFL Draft, but eventually decided to take his talents to the Hurricanes. For Cristobal and the Hurricanes, it meant a changing of the guard for the offense.

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Maxwell Frontrunner

With a lot of football still left to be played, Ward is a frontrunner for the award given annually to the best all-around college football player in the country. Next on the schedule for the Hurricanes and Ward is a contest against the Rattlers of Florida A&M on Sept. 7 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. With favorable matchups in the first half of the season, the Hurricanes and Cristobal will have their offense humming by the time the challenges of Atlantic Coast Conference play begin.