2023 Cameron Ward Stats: QB Piloting the Washington St. Surprise Start
Ward Ranks Second Among FBS Quarterbacks in Yards Per Game
While Cameron Ward isn’t a known commodity compared to the likes of USC’s Caleb Williams and Oregon’s Bo Nix, the Washington State standout is proving he belongs in the conversation with the best quarterbacks in the Pac 12 Conference.
Here’s Proof: Ward already ranks second in the country in total offense, averaging a whopping 374.5 yards per game. To date, only Michael Penix Jr. of Washington has accounted for more.
Despite that, Ward isn’t generating much attention for major national awards, including the Heisman Trophy. Will that change? Let’s take a closer look at what’s made Ward so unique. Here’s a breakdown of 2023 Cameron Ward stats.
So Far, So Good for Ward and Co.
The 2023 Cameron Ward stats are among the best in FBS. There’s no question. Through four games, Ward has completed 74.6% of his passes for 1,389 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for three scores. Only two quarterbacks — Penix Jr. and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders — have thrown for more yards. More impressively, Ward has yet to throw an interception among his first 142 attempts this season.
It comes as little surprise then that Washington State is off to a 4-0 start and ranks fifth in the country in scoring offense (45.8 points per game) and sixth in yardage (532.2 per game). The Cougars have a bye this week before returning to action Oct. 7 at UCLA.
The Cougars are coming off a 38-35 victory over No. 14 Oregon State, in which Ward connected on 28 of 34 attempts for 404 yards and five total touchdowns. The junior threw three of his four touchdown passes in the first half as the Cougars, 2.5-point underdogs, remained undefeated. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run.
Watching him, it’s no surprise Ward is among the NCAAF leaders in multiple statistical categories.
Odds Outlook
Despite his tremendous start, Ward still is not listed on most Heisman odds boards. Now, that could change. Washington State still has games remaining with No. 9 Oregon (Oct. 21) and No. 7 Washington (Nov. 25), in addition to Colorado (Nov. 17).
If Ward manages to play well against the likes of Nix, Sanders and Penix Jr., he certainly will improve his stock. There’s also a chance that the Cougars make the Pac 12 Championship game, in which case Ward could square off with Williams, the reigning Heisman winner and current favorite to repeat at +380. But that’s getting a bit ahead of ourselves.
Regardless, Ward possesses the big play capabilities to stay in the mix, even from afar. It sure helps too that Ward, in his second season after transferring from FCS school Incarnate Word, has a reliable supporting cast. Four different Cougars have caught between 18 and 24 passes, led by senior Lincoln Victor, who leads the team with 346 receiving yards.
Washington State has reaped the benefits, climbing to No. 16 in the AP Top 25 NCAA football rankings. The Cougars, remember, didn’t receive a single vote in the preseason poll, proving just how far they’ve come in the span of a month.
Projected for just 5.0 wins, the Cougars are now on the verge of smashing expectations. They’ve gone from +3000 to +1600 to win the Pac 12, sitting alongside Oregon State for the fifth best odds in the conference. At the very least, the Cougars seem destined to make a bowl for the third straight season.
Washington State is still a +10000 longshot for the national championship, but just to be on the periphery of the conversation is a significant step for the oft-overlooked program. At this point, when assessing NCAAF results, it seems as if the Cougars will go as far as Ward can take them.
For 2023 Cameron Ward stats, betting news, odds and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
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