NC State excited for challenge in Notre Dame transfer Sam Hartman’s return to Raleigh
The Wolfpack faces a familiar foe in the opposing backfield this weekend but not for the same team it’s used to.
Notre Dame comes to town on Saturday, bringing starting quarterback Sam Hartman with it. Hartman is in his first season with the Irish — joining the program as a graduate transfer — but he’s no stranger to N.C. State
Hartman came from Wake Forest, where he spent five seasons and led the Demon Deacons to a 2-2 record against State. He’s coming off a 30-21 loss to the Wolfpack in 2022, when he threw for 397 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
In the Pack’s 45-42 loss to Wake in 2021, Hartman threw for 290 yards, three TDs and three interceptions. Cornerback Shyheim Battle recorded one of the picks.
Now, Hartman returns to Carter-Finley Stadium with a new program, but the same desire to leave with a win. Battle admits he didn’t think N.C. State would see Hartman again, especially not in a new uniform, but he doesn’t think it will be weird.
“He knows us. I know him,” the redshirt junior said. “He gave me one interception, and I’m looking to get another one.”
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren complimented Hartman’s abilities. He left Wake Forest as one of the best quarterbacks in program history.
He recorded 110 touchdown passes in his career, an ACC record and NCAA top-20 mark. He added 12,967 career passing yards and holds the Deacs’ record for total completions, attempts, yards per game, total yards and total TDs. Hartman accounted for at least one touchdown in 34 consecutive contests, going back to 2020.
Plus, the Irish’s new starter is tied for No. 1 in ACC history for the most passing touchdowns in a single game. He remains the only Wake Forest QB with five or more passing touchdowns in multiple games. Hartman ended his illustrious career with 27 wins, second in school history.
“He’s a really good player. He’s been a really good player for a long time,” Doeren said. “He’s a winner; a champion in high school and we all know what he did at Wake. You can see his confidence and how he manages their offense and gets the ball to the right people, makes plays with his feet when he needs to.”
Facing Hartman in this scenario provides advantages and disadvantages. The Pack knows what kind of athlete Hartman is and possible ways to make him uncomfortable. At the same time, he’s operating in a completely different system.
Doeren and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said defending Hartman in Notre Dame’s offense isn’t going to be the same as defending him in Wake Forest’s.
Gibson expects a strong downhill run game featuring big backs to contend with. He said it’s a big challenge, but he’s excited. There aren’t concerns about the running back rotation and whether one player does something different. The Pack is mostly focused on its own efforts.
“We have to make sure that we have 11 guys to the football. That’s the key for us,” Gibson said. “We can’t leave our DBs one-on-one with these big backs.”
Even with a strong run game, Hartman continues to be an effective passer for the Irish. The graduate student threw for 445 yards in the first two outings, dominating the competition.
Battle said he looks forward to the matchup and hopes to limit Notre Dame’s opportunities for explosive plays.
“I just know he’s a guy that likes to take chances,” Battle said. “He wants to give his receivers a chance to make a big play, so I’ve just gotta stay ready at all times and know that at any moment, he could try to throw the ball.”
The Irish and Wolfpack are set to kick off at noon on Saturday in Carter-Finley Stadium.
