Sam Hartman ends postgame interview early to check on Riley Leonard
The Duke Blue Devils suffered a double dose of heartbreak on Saturday night, because in addition to losing to Notre Dame in gut-wrenching fashion, their star quarterback, Riley Leonard, was injured on one of the final plays of the game. Following the game, Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman not only cut his interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe short, but waited outside the medical tent to check on Leonard.
The Fighting Irish defeated the Blue Devils on Saturday night, in one of the best games of the weekend. The Fighting Irish prevailed 21-14, thanks to the game-clinching 30-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds left by running back Audric Estime.
But the story of the game for Duke may end up being losing Leonard for some time due to injury. It’s clear that Hartman hopes that’s not the case.
Check out the video below.
Leonard refused a cart to the locker room once he came out of the medical tent and was seen on crutches. He could not put any weight on his right leg. The Duke star finished the game with over 200 all-purpose yards, with 88 of those coming on the ground. He also tossed in one touchdown pass and one interception.
On the play he was injured, Leonard fumbled the ball and Notre Dame recovered, sealing the victory for the Irish. Notre Dame’s Howard Cross forced the strip sack that won the game.
Sam Hartman on the thrilling victory for the Fighting Irish
Following the game, Hartman spoke with Rowe on the field about the bounce-back victory.
“I think, just like I said, hats off to our defense. They battled. Got us the ball back to close the game out. I mean, defense wins championships, and they won it today. So, I’m just super proud of them and everything at the end of the game. I’ll watch the tape and [make] a lot of corrections, but I mean, defense. Coach told us to bounce back. That’s Notre Dame football right there,” Hartman said.
How did he get the critical fourth down?
“A lot of luck, but defense. Go Irish,” the Notre Dame quarterback said.
The Fighting Irish were able to bounce back from a devastating defeat to the Ohio State Buckeyes last weekend, to prevail this weekend in Durham. How was the team able to flip the switch?
“I mean, it’s just perseverance. Coach Freeman preached all week, right. It’s not that at the end of the day, winning and losing’s everything, but it makes you feel a lot better to get it done in the final moments. But you know, right now, I’m just thinking about Riley. That kid’s a hell of a player. He went down. I really want to check on him, so….” and then Hartman left the interview with Rowe to go check on the Duke star.
Hartman completed 50% of his passes, throwing for 222 yards in the big win. Notre Dame running back Audric Estime once again carried the load for their offense, rushing for 81 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final seconds.
Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans finished with six catches for 134 receiving yards.