How Notre Dame's new gear on offense could change outlook for 2023 season

Notre Dame started the 2023 season in style Saturday with a 42-3 thrashing of Navy in Dublin, Ireland, in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic with new quarterback Sam Hartman leading the way on offense. Hartman threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns as the Fighting Irish accumulated 444 yards of offense.

Despite the Midshipman being a weaker opponent, it was a statement victory. In the eyes of J.D. PicKell of On3, it illustrated how Sam Hartman has elevated the ceiling for the Notre Dame offense.

“The thing for Notre Dame now, it is very evident with Sammy Hartman — Sammy football, if you will — playing quarterback for you, there is a new gear to this team, a new gear to this offense that they didn’t have last year,” PicKell said. “That’s not to dunk on Drew Pyne, not to say anything about what they did last year. I’m just saying it’s very evident you brought Sam Hartman in for a reason, and you can see the return very, very early.”

Hartman arrived after a great career at Wake Forest, finishing as the ACC’s career leader in touchdown passes.

His first performance in a Fighting Irish uniform was a very successful one. In addition to his four touchdowns, he completed 19 of his 23 passes with no interceptions or sacks.

But he wasn’t the only one to thrive on offense. Jaden Greathouse had two touchdown catches. Audric Estime had 95 rushing yards and one touchdown.

“What that means for Notre Dame is some of the games that they weren’t able to play last year, the styles that weren’t able to play last year, I think they can play those now with Sam Hartman,” PicKell said. “I think you can get into a game and say, if you want to load the box? Do so, but Sam Hartman is gonna make you pay for it. I don’t think you could do that last year. Last year, it was we’re going to pound the rock, pound the rock, pound the rock. We’re going to be tougher than you. We’re gonna play tough defense. Slow this thing down. We’ll find a way to win it at the end of those four quarters. You still have that available to you, I believe, but with Sam Hartman, like I said, you can play a little bit more score for score, which has to be encouraging when you play the teams like Ohio State.”