SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame and quarterback Sam Hartman need to find a quick fix.
The offense that looked so impressive through the first four games suddenly has gone stagnant. It scored just 35 points against the last two opponents, then-No. 6 Ohio State and then-No. 17 Duke.
While the defense has done its job by holding both teams to 17 or fewer points, the 10th-ranked Fighting Irish hope to turn things around Saturday when they play their third straight unbeaten opponent, No. 25 Louisville. But Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman isn’t panicking.
“Every college football team will improve throughout the season,” he said. “The ones that improve the fastest are the ones that usually play for championships and are playing at the end of the year for things that are extremely important. So, that’s our challenge: to improve faster than our opponents.”
Notre Dame thought it had solved the problem when Hartman led the offense to 46.0 points and 508.8 yards through the first four weeks.
Then came the fall.
While part of the explanation clearly could be playing stronger opponents, the Irish (5-1) also are struggling with the surprises they’re seeing on game days.
“You also are learning that people adjust to us,” offensive coordinator Gerad Parker said. “Maybe sometimes what our film study shows is not what we get.”
Hartman failed to match the hype in the two prime-time games, completing just 58.2% of his passes for 397 yards, 7.2 yards per attempt and one touchdown. In the previous four, he connected on 71.1% of his throws for 11.8 yards per attempt and 13 TDs.
Ohio State and Duke both had defenses ranked among the top 10 in points and yards per pass attempt. Plus, Notre Dame has asked Hartman not to be as aggressive against top-tier opponents.
His numbers may reflect why. Since 2021, Hartman is 3-5 against AP Top 25 teams, completing 55.9% of his throws for 7.6 yards per attempt with 20 TDs and 11 interceptions.
Another factor could be injuries. Only three receivers played last weekend at Duke, though two of Hartman’s favorite targets who sat out — Jaden Greathouse and Jayden Thomas — could return against the Cardinals (5-0). Both practiced Tuesday.
“We expect them both to be back,” Freeman said. “They’re both improving.”
Notre Dame’s inability to finish drives with touchdowns is another concern.
Hartman led 13 drives into opponents’ territory, with only six producing points. There were no turnovers and the Irish averaged 4.7 yards per carry, but they failed to convert two fourth-and-1 plays against Ohio State.
“When you think of the fourth-and-1 situations on offense, we’ve got to convert because we’re going to continue to go for those (based on) the percentages of success,” Freeman said. “That’s a mindset that I have, and we have to be able to execute.”
Kicker Spencer Shrader’s recent struggles haven’t helped, either. Though he set a program record with a 54-yard field earlier this season, he’s only making 50% of his attempts and has missed from 47 and 37 yards. Freeman recently changed holders, giving the job to punter Bryce McFerson so Shrader feels more comfortable.
The offense also struggled with the atmosphere at Duke, committing six pre-snap penalties, something that must get better in a similar scenario this weekend at Louisville.
So, against coach Jeff Brohm’s high-scoring, creative offense, Notre Dame must be right on point.
“It doesn’t take long to watch film to see why they’re 5-0,” Freeman said. “It’s another night game, and it’ll be a great atmosphere, a great opportunity. They’ve got an explosive offense.”
