Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal forcefully defended Cam Ward, who had garnered criticism for playing one half of Miami’s Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State.

Mario Cristobal wants to make one thing clear: Cam Ward did not quit on the Miami Hurricanes by sitting out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl and anything said otherwise is “a false narrative.”

Miami football coach Mario Cristobal is tired of hearing that Cam Ward quit on his team in the Pop-Tarts Bowl amid NFL Draft hype.

Cristobal calls narratives about decision to sit Cam Ward for second half of bowl game: ‘bulls***’ CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Canes Head Coach Mario Cristobal came to the defense of Cam Ward on Monday. Ward had taken criticism after sitting out the second half of the Canes loss to Iowa State in the Pop Tarts Bowl.

Mario Cristobal has heard the narrative that Cam Ward quit on Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but the head coach says that's the wrong story.

Cam Ward drummed up criticism after not playing the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but his head coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense.