The Notre Dame Fighting Irish kicked off their 2023 college football season in Ireland against the Navy Midshipman. Highly touted transfer quarterback Sam Hartman made his debut for the Fighting Irish, and did not disappoint, breaking the school record for passing touchdowns for a debuting quarterback.
Hartman came to Notre Dame with a ton of hype, as most saw him as the most complete quarterback to hit the transfer portal this past offseason. He notably broke the ACC record for career passing touchdowns at Wake Forest during his five-year career with the Demon Deacons.
A competent quarterback could make Notre Dame a true contender to watch this season, and they got their year off to a great start on Saturday.
Hartman in particular played excellently, throwing for 251 yards and four touchdowns while completing 19 of 23 passes on the day.
Sam Hartman and Jaden Greathouse connect for a 35-yard Notre Dame TD.
21-0 Fighting Irish in the 2nd quarter. 🏈☘️ pic.twitter.com/3xxXmT3Q2F
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 26, 2023
OK SAM HARTMAN! 👀#NotreDame extends their lead to 35-0.
📺 @nbc and @peacock pic.twitter.com/YRDgcG5yMR
— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) August 26, 2023
Hartman’s four touchdowns on the day tied the school record for the most of any quarterback making their debut for the program.
Sam Hartman now ties Notre Dame Record with most TD Passes in Irish Debut at 4 (Jack Coan). 25 yard pass to Deion Colzie pic.twitter.com/8OPxYi0CLf
— Christian S. Rauh (@ChristianSRauh) August 26, 2023
His 82.6 completion percentage also ranks 11th in the program’s single-game record list.
Sam Hartman's .826 completion percentage (19-23) is 11th on the Notre Dame single-game record list.
— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) August 26, 2023
Based on this performance, it looks like the sky is the limit for this Notre Dame offense with Hartman at the helm, and fans are extremely eager to see more from him.
Sam Hartman in his debut with the Irish 🔥
☘️ 19/23
☘️ 251 YDS
☘️ 4 TD pic.twitter.com/FcKRFIIcrd— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) August 26, 2023
It's been too easy today for Sam Hartman
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 26, 2023
Sam Hartman went OFF in his Notre Dame debut.
• 19/23 (83%)
• 251 passing yards
• 4 passing TD’s
• 151.7 passer rating
• led 5 TD drivesHartman also passed Derek Carr for most career passing TD’s with 114.
Hartman is now tied for 14th all-time in career passing TD’s.… pic.twitter.com/krGEuRfM5y
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 26, 2023
Sam Hartman: 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic MVP. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/9foQd1UlH2
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) August 26, 2023
Have a DAY Sam Hartman‼️
• 19/23 Passing
• 251 Yards
• 4 TDsHartman tied the ND passing TD record in a debut with 4 ☘️https://t.co/qn8G8e50Wz pic.twitter.com/5LqC4fxT32
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 26, 2023
Navy isn’t exactly expected to be all that competitive this year, so it will certainly be interesting to see how Notre Dame and Hartman do against some tougher competition throughout the year.
