Notre Dame Football: Three takeaways from Notre Dames 42-3 win over Navy
By Eric Boggs
Sam Hartman is a legitimist Heisman candidate
The only people who were mentioning Sam Hartman as a Heisman candidate coming into the season were Notre Dame fans and people who are fans of ACC schools who have seen him play over the past couple of years. Hartman made his first start at Notre Dame and looked like he has been the signal caller for the Irish for a very long time.
He was poised in the pocket and in complete control of the offense. In his first four possessions, he was 14-18 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Irish to four straight touchdowns in the first half and 28-0 score after the first two frames.
Not only was the offensive line giving Hartman plenty of time to throw the football, but the Irish running game also opened up the passing game as well. Audric Estime ran the football angerly, scoring on Notre Dame’s first drive. It was clear that offensive coordinator Gerad Parker had a clear plan to run the football and establish the line of scrimmage early. Even on a third and ten, Parker surprised the Navy defense with an Estime run that went for a first down.
Once the Midshipman became focused on that Notre Dame running game, it was Hartman time. By the end of the first quarter, Hartman threw for his second touchdown, his 112th in his career, tying him with Colt McCoy all-time. On his first possession in the second half, he tied Derek Carr at 15th all-time when he passed for his 113th touchdown pass all-time. In the first possession of the final quarter, Hartman hit Deion Colzie on a quick bubble screen when Navy came on an all-out blitz, and Hartman had his fourth touchdown pass of the game, which tied a Notre Dame record for most TD passes in a debut. It was also his 114th in his career, tying Danny Wuerffel at 14th in college football history.
Hartman’s Heisman trophy campaign has officially begun. He has three really big matchups this season that will give him an opportunity to impress the voters on the biggest stage. A home game against Ohio State on September 23, another home game on October 14 against USC and last years Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams, and then a road trip on November 4 against Clemson.