What Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman said about Heisman Trophy candidacy
Sam Hartman wouldn’t take the bait. The Notre Dame quarterback was asked about his Heisman Trophy candidacy Tuesday, and in typical Hartman fashion he talked about everyone but himself.
And when we say everyone, we mean it — just about everyone else. Even Notre Dame’s lead nutritionist and the Notre Dame scout team.
Here is everything the Fighting Irish’s QB1 said about his Heisman campaign.
“I think up front, our guys are playing really well,” he said. “The tight ends obviously had a huge day [against NC State]. You got tight ends making plays on the outside. And then obviously Audric [Estimé] kind of opened that game for us. And outside, receivers made a lot of plays, right? Tobias [Merriweather] had a big catch. [Chris Tyree] had a huge catch. That puts me into those conversations.
“But all of that is all a wash without everyone around me. [Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker] calling the plays. [Notre Dame quarterbacks] coach Gino [Guidugli] being there on the sideline. [Notre Dame head] coach [Marcus] Freeman giving me the opportunity.
“But again, not that I’ve— I’ve been in this situation before at Wake and those different things. Yeah, you see it. You hear it. But there is no me in all those conversations without up front, on the outside, those guys in the trenches, those guys going to war for me. And shoot, even the scout team guys. Even [Notre Dame director of nutrition] Alexa [Appelman]. All those things into play for me. All those different things are huge for us to make sure I’m healthy and the team has success.”
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According to Caesar’s Sportsbook, Hartman has the fourth-best Heisman Trophy odds in the country through Week 2. His +900 odds are only longer than those of USC quarterback Caleb Williams (+375), Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (+800) and Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (+800).
Hartman has led Notre Dame to a 3-0 record by completing 48-of-64 pass attempts (75 percent) for 731 yards with 10 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He also has a rushing touchdown. His passer rating of 222.5 is second in the nation behind Williams’ 240.5, and his quarterback rating of 89.5 ranks fifth in the country.
Only two quarterbacks in the FBS have double-digit passing touchdowns with no interceptions; Williams and Hartman. Williams, of course, is going for a repeat Heisman Trophy performance. Those two signal-callers will meet at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 14.
Hartman and the Fighting Irish host Central Michigan (1-1) at Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
