Edited my note, because the article posted above with NDT's quote isn't entirely correct.
BUT..... In the rulebook, it further stipulates:
Because he's moving it to someone behind him in space, it's backwards.
First, I don't think that's talking about a pitch. Second, that is referencing the NFL.
I thought there was some wording about "initial direction" or something like that. But I can't find it in the NCAA rule book. All it talks about is the point where it was thrown and the point where it was caught. Unless there are exceptions I'm not seeing.