No. 10 Notre Dame will look to extend its run of success against ACC competition in a tough road trip to NC State. The matchup that features plenty of history between the Wolfpack defense and the Fighting Irish’s new star quarterback, Sam Hartman.
The Fighting Irish have won 28 straight regular-season games against ACC opponents, a streak that dates back to 2017, and are 40-7 against ACC teams since their partnership began in 2014. One of those seven losses was at NC State in 2016, however. This time, the Wolfpack have their eyes on Hartman, who is 1-2 against NC State dating back to his days at Wake Forest. Both of those losses, including last season, came inside Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
Hartman’s play through two games has been solid, accounting for as many touchdowns (seven — six passing, one rushing) as incompletions (33 of 40 passing). Notre Dame beat Navy and Tennessee State by a combined score of 98-6, and the quality of play on both sides has pushed the Fighting Irish up into the top 10 of the latest AP Top 25. NC State opened its season with a hard-fought 24-14 win at UConn, showing off its own transfer quarterback with Brennan Armstrong
Notre Dame vs. NC State: Need to know
Notre Dame focused on ground game: While Hartman’s arrival has brought heightened intrigue to what’s in store for the passing attack, the offense still runs through its offensive line and the rushing attack. Running back Audric Estime drives the bus with a physicality and explosiveness that’s already produced 211 yards and two touchdowns on just 29 carries. The Irish have also given the rest of that room some experience in the first two wins, with freshmen Gi’Bran Payne and Jeremiah Love emerging as options to round out the rotation. There may have been…
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