Quarterback Sam Hartman has played his final game in a Notre Dame uniform as the sixth-year senior announced he would sit out the Sun Bowl matchup against Oregon State.

After beating his alma mater (Wake Forest) to end the regular season home slate, Hartman noted he and the team had two games. Those two games were to be the Stanford game – which Notre Dame won 56-23 – and the bowl game. Alas, Hartman had just one game left in him.

Hartman transferred in for the 2023 season after five seasons at Wake Forest. He led Notre Dame to a 9-3 record in his one season with the Fighting Irish. He passed for 2,689 yards and 24 touchdowns while being picked off eight times. Hartman also rushed for 123 yards and three more scores.

Hartman’s 161.43 passer rating is the third best single season mark in Notre Dame history, trailing only Jimmy Clausen (2009) and Bob Williams (1949). His 63.5-percent completion rate was the 8th best mark in school history, and his 24 touchdown passes and 8.9 yards per attempt were the 10th best single season marks.

His signature moment at Notre Dame was his 4th-and-16 scramble against Duke in the game’s final minute, which set up Audric Estime’s game-winning touchdown run.

The North Carolina native finished his career as one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history. In his five seasons at Wake Forest and one at Notre Dame he passed for 15,656 yards and 134 touchdowns. His passing yards mark ranks 4th in NCAA history and his touchdown mark is tied for 3rd all-time. Hartman finished his Wake Forest career as the ACC’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and second in passing yards.