Marcus Freeman had confidence in Sam Hartman leading into game-winning drive

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has placed his trust in quarterback Sam Hartman. That faith was tested on Saturday night when the Irish found themselves trailing Duke by a point late in the fourth quarter.

The Irish got the ball back with 2:35 left on their own five-yard line. That’s when Hartman marched down the field and took the lead. That was a lead that Notre Dame never gave back.

“When Sam Hartman’s your quarterback, you have a lot of faith,” Marcus Freeman said. “He’s been in those moments. He’s not a first time quarterback. The moment wasn’t too big for him. I don’t want to just give credit to one person but the plays he made on that series were huge.”

Even now, in his sixth season, Sam Hartman is still learning. Marcus Freeman saw that growth from last week’s loss to Ohio State to the win over Duke. In particular, when Hartman took off to run on a long fourth down conversion attempt.

“The ability to say pull that ball down and run for it, I truly believe in my heart he learned from last week on fourth and one. When we thought we got it and we didn’t, and there can’t be a maybe in that situation. So, I don’t care if it’s fourth and one or fourth and 18, if you’re going to take off, you have to make sure we get the first down and that’s what he did.”

In the end, it would be running back Audric Estime who broke free and scored the game winning touchdown for Notre Dame. Even with Duke getting the ball back, the defense forced a quick turnover to give Marcus Freeman and the Irish a road win.

Notre Dame moved to 5-1 on the season with the win. Next week, Notre Dame will travel to Louisville for a top-25 meeting.

Sam Hartman on Riley Leonard going down with an injury

On Duke’s last offensive play of the game, quarterback Riley Leonard went down with an injury. Sam Hartman was later seen outside of the medical tent after the game, waiting to check on Leonard. For Hartman, it was a scary moment and difficult for Hartman to see personally.

“We battled. And that’s like everybody’s gonna be all you know it’s Duke, but I mean, that D-line is of one of the best in the country … Those guys, they better be in that locker room with their heads up high because I mean, that was as tough as I played and even up front we were talking about it as we were walking off the field like that. That’s a really good football team. They’re gonna go make a run in the ACC like they already are,” Hartman said.

“You know, I’m really just thinking about Riley. I know that kid’s a hell of a player and obviously I don’t know what he’s going through. But I’ve been there and I’m just thinking about him and hope he’s alright.”