Cam Ward sets Division I record for most career passing TDs

Miami quarterback Cam Ward became the NCAA Division I's all-time leader in career passing touchdowns during Saturday's 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State.

With his three TDs on Saturday, Ward has thrown 158 touchdowns in his college career. His record-breaking score came on a 4-yard touchdown to Jacolby George in the first quarter.

Ward - a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this year - completed 14 of 19 pass attempts for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the first half versus Iowa State but didn't return for the second half.

Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal refused to explain postgame why Ward didn't return for the second half.

"All meetings with players and decisions like that, we make them in private and keep them in private," Cristobal said, according to Adam Lichtenstein of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "So I prefer not to answer questions as it relates to that. I know he played his best while he was in there."

The Miami signal-caller passed former Houston passer Case Keenum to set the record. Keenum played five seasons at Houston and threw for at least 44 touchdowns in three seasons.

Ward threw for 71 touchdowns in two seasons at Incarnate Word and added another 48 during two years with Washington State. He entered Saturday's game with 36 touchdown passes in 2024 - his lone year with Miami - before breaking the D-I record.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel could quickly break Ward's record as he sits with 153 career passing touchdowns.