Miami head coach Mario Cristobal didn’t mince words Monday when issuing a sharp defense of Cam Ward, with the star quarterback fielding criticism after he opted out of the final two quarters of

Ward started the Pop-Tarts Bowl and proceeded to shred Iowa State’s top-five pass defense, throwing for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He did so even without three of his starting receivers, including Miami’s all-time receptions leader Xavier Restrepo, who had opted out.