Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love (12) runs for a touchdown during the first half against Tennessee State on Saturday in South Bend, Ind.
Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Sam Hartman passed for 194 yards and two touchdowns and Notre Dame's defense didn't allow a touchdown for a second straight game as the No. 13 Irish beat Tennessee State 56-3 on Saturday.
It was the first time Notre Dame played a program from the historical Black college and university ranks or an opponent from the Football Championship Subdivision.
Hartman completed 14 of 17 passes and delighted the Notre Dame Stadium fans in his home debut when he somersaulted into the end zone on a 5-yard run. Hartman turned things over to backup Steve Angeli with the Irish leading 35-3 early in the third quarter.
Audric Estime ran 13 times for 116 yards and a touchdown. His longest run went for 50 yards and set up Hartman's leaping touchdown.
Notre Dame opened the scoring on Jeremiyah Love's zig-zagging 36-yard run.
The Irish's defense has not allowed a touchdown over eight quarters. They gave up only a field goal to Navy in a 42-3 win in Ireland last week. Tennessee State's only scoring came on a field goal in the first quarter.
Clarence Lewis capped the defensive effort with a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Tennessee State was within 7-3 after James Lowery's 38-yard field goal. The Tigers recovered a fumble at the Notre Dame 12 on the kickoff, but couldn't cash in as Jason Onye blocked a 29-yard field-goal attempt.
Notre Dame's Audric Estims celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee State on Saturday.
Associated Press
Notre Dame's Chris Tyree (4) celebrates scoring during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday in South Bend, Ind.
Associated Press
Notre Dame's Audric Estimé, right, pushes Tennessee State's James Green (1) aside as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, right, talks with quarterback Sam Hartman, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Tennessee State's Deveon Bryant, left, breaks a tackle by Notre Dame's Marist Liufau, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame's Jayden Thomas (83) breaks a tackle attempt by Tennessee State's Kenyon Garlington (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame's Sam Hartman (10) looks to throw as Tennessee State's Monroe Beard III (3) defends him during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love (12) gets past Tennessee State's Bryce Phillips (0) as Rocco Spindler (50) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)