JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For Sam Hartman, 2021 ended in a Duval delight.
Hartman delivered one of the top passing performances in the 77-year history of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl as Wake Forest defeated Rutgers, 38-10, Friday at TIAA Bank Field.
Redshirt sophomore Hartman, the second-team All-ACC quarterback, completed 23 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns for the No. 19 Demon Deacons. He became the 13th player in Gator Bowl history to surpass 300 yards passing in a game.
Wake Forest (11-3) won its second Gator Bowl, after previously winning the inaugural edition in 1946. All-ACC wideout A.T. Perry starred as Hartman's top target, grabbing 10 passes for 129 yards, while Brandon Chapman made two touchdown catches.
Rutgers (5-8) had accepted an invitation to the game on short notice, by virtue of the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate, after Texas A&M withdrew last week amid COVID-19 concerns.
