Notre Dame’s new QB looked right at home in the program’s spring game on Saturday.
Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman moved the ball efficiently in leading the Fighting Irish to 21 points. He went 13-of-16 of 189 yards for two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
Per ESPN, head coach Marcus Freeman previously said he anticipated the QB battle between Hartman and incumbent starter Tyler Buchner could extend deep into training camp due to Buchner’s familiarity with the offense.
Hartman demonstrated a firm grasp of the offense, which might give him the advantage as we get closer to the season opener.
He’d have the job won if it was based on experience. Hartman appeared in 48 games from 2018-22 for the Demon Deacons. He was 944-of-1,597 (59.1 percent) for 12,967 yards, 110 touchdowns and 41 interceptions.
Buchner, meanwhile, has 13 appearances with the Irish during the past two seasons and is 67-of-118 (56.8 percent) for 949 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Hartman spoke on the sideline about how his competition at QB has been great for his development in South Bend.
“Credit to Tyler. He helped me a lot… He could have easily brushed me off or kept me out of the loop, and he’s been one of the main reasons I had success today,” Hartman said.
The Irish rebounded nicely from an ugly start to their 2022 season. After losing its first two games, including a home loss to Marshall, Notre Dame went 9-2 over its final 11 games, including a 45-38 Gator Bowl win against South Carolina.
Freeman has the program trending in the right direction, and Hartman’s strong spring game keeps Notre Dame on its upward trajectory.
