The Irish haven’t had a prolific passer in the mold of graduate transfer Sam Hartman since the Jimmy Clausen days in the late 2000s.
Sure, Everett Golson led Notre Dame to a national championship appearance in 2012, and had a cannon for an arm, but he didn’t have the accolades of Hartman, who transferred to South Bend as the ACC’s all-time leading passer at Wake Forest.
Hartman’s debut for Notre Dame on Saturday against Navy in Dublin proved to be everything that Irish fans were hoping for…and more. Hartman started fast, completing 14 of his 17 first half passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. By the time Hartman’s day was done, he completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 251 yards and four touchdowns, as the No. 13 Irish sunk the Midshipmen 42–3.
Hartman’s four touchdown passes tied the most by a player in his Notre Dame debut, joining Jack Coan in 2021 against Florida State and Ron Powlus in ’94 against Northwestern, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
College football fans and media members alike were impressed by Notre Dame’s upgrade in the passing game, as well as the individual performance of Hartman. Here are some of the best reactions after Saturday’s 42-3 win in Dublin.
Have a DAY Sam Hartman‼️
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 26, 2023
• 19/23 Passing
• 251 Yards
• 4 TDs
Hartman tied the ND passing TD record in a debut with 4 ☘️https://t.co/qn8G8e50Wz pic.twitter.com/5LqC4fxT32
FINAL
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) August 26, 2023
Notre Dame 42
Navy 3
Marcus Freeman pretty much got everything he could have wanted out of Sam Hartman's debut.
Week 0 overreactions are a thing. It's not one to say Notre Dame just got a lot more interesting on a national level.
Marcus Freeman with Drew Pyne: This guy is over his head
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 26, 2023
Marcus Freeman with Sam Hartman: One of the nation’s most promising young head coaches
Next up in Old College Quarterback Saturday: we go from sixth-year Sam Hartman to sixth-year Gavin Hardison of UTEP.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 26, 2023
Much bigger tests await, but Sam Hartman looks completely comfortable in Notre Dame’s offense, and has given the passing game a much-needed jolt.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 26, 2023
