EXCLUSIVE: Firebrand Media Discusses Mario Cristobal’s Pop Tarts Bowl Decision Regarding Cam Ward

Hold onto your Pop-Tarts, folks! Would you like to hear about the wildest bowl game twist since sliced toaster pastries? Everyone and their grandmother had Miami penciled in for a W at the Pop-Tart Bowl (yes, that’s a thing!) against Iowa State. Things looked peachy with Cam Ward cooking in the first half, but then – plot twist! Backup QB Emory Williams stepped in after halftime and, well… let’s just say things got messier than a Pop Tart falling frosting-side down.

The Hurricanes ended up getting blown away in a nail-biting 42-41 heartbreaker that had Miami fans stress-eating their breakfast pastries. Social media went bonkers, roasting Ward like a Pop Tart in a toaster cranked up too high for supposedly abandoning ship while the Cyclones (living up to their name!) wreaked havoc. But wait! Before you toast Ward too much, we’ve got the real scoop straight from the QB’s inner circle in an EssentiallySports Exclusive that finally sets the record straight. Sometimes things aren’t quite as simple as they look from the cheap seats!

Firebrand Media partners Alec Griffen Roth and Josh Clayton are producing a documentary on Cam Ward called Zero Star that highlights his initial struggles as a 0-star recruit. Our Malaysia-based senior writer Andrew Whitelaw landed an EssentiallySports exclusive interview with the pair wherein they discussed the backstory behind the Pop Tart Bowl controversy. Griffen Roth began by clearing the air, “I personally think it was a decision between him and the coaching and I know that Mario Cristobal is going to do everything to make sure that his players are protected for their careers and for the games.”

When Cam Ward announced he would play in the Pop Tart Bowl, people had several questions about why he’s risking his NFL career for a minor bowl game. And when he didn’t play in the second half, criticisms were no less. In case he played and got injured, “told you so” would ring in the air. But when the criticism picked up pace, HC Mario Cristobal slammed the accusations saying it’s “bulls—.” 

Not everyone knew what was going on then. But CBS Sports Chris Hummer later reported that the decision was mutual and pre-planned — “first quarter to a half max and turn the keys over to Emory for the second half. As they did.” And that was the deal. Cam Ward played his part perfectly, scoring 190 yards and three touchdowns. He handed the reins to Williams with a 31-28 halftime lead. What happened after that was beyond his control. As Griffen Roth stated, “It was a mutual decision and I think that Cam’s made the best decision for himself and for his family and for the future of his career.” Thinking about how Cam Ward reached this point in his career only makes the critics’ points null and void. 

Cam Ward is a tried-and-tested quarterback 

Cam Ward’s journey to where he is now is strewn with thorns of adversity. And Griffen Roth, who directed Zero Star is certain that the accusations of him quitting the Hurricanes are baseless. “You go back to where he came from and you cannot tell me that that young man has not put everything on himself,” he said in the EssentiallySports exclusive interview. Playing in a T-Wing offense at Columbia High School scarred his college football foundation because of the lack of playing time and exposure. So, he became a 0-star recruit to not even an FBS school but an FCS program at Incarnate Word. But it was there that he had a breakout season. 

As an FCS freshman starter for UIW in 2021, Cam Ward threw for over 4,600 yards and a whopping 47 touchdowns that earned him the Jerry Rice Award. His transfer to Washington State prepped him as an elite FBS QB where he threw for 3,200 yards and 23 scores in a single season. His first and last season at Miami was outstanding. He broke three single-season school records in passing yards (4,313 yards), passing TDs (39), and total offense (4,517 yards). As of now, he’s the No. 1 QB and No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft per the latest mock draft by NFL.com.

To see Cam Ward persevere and triumph above his humble 0-star position to finishing fourth in the Heisman race in his final collegiate career shows his incredible ability to stand up to all sorts of pressure. Here’s one of his statements in Zero Star — “Being overlooked, in my shoes it was a blessing and a curse. The blessing part is that you have nothing to lose.” The NFL team that gets him can expect nothing but the best from this tried-and-tested signal caller.