#29 Matt Salerno 2022-23 Football Roster

AS A SECOND-YEAR GRADUATE (2023)

• Played in five games in his final season of eligibility … Started the year playing in the first two games of the season before an injury forced him to miss the next eight games … Came back for the senior day contest against Wake Forest … Recorded two pass receptions during the year, catching one in the season opener and another in the season finale … Also returned two punts for 21 yards
• NAVY (8/26): Caught one pass, gaining nine yards in his season debut against Navy in Dublin, Ireland
• TENNESSEE STATE (9/2): Returned two punts, gaining 21 yards … Season-long 15 yard punt return
• WAKE FOREST (11/18): Made his return from injury to play on senior day against the Demon Deacons
• at STANFORD (11/25): Took the field in the victory against the Cardinal
• TONY THE TIGER SUN BOWL VS. OREGON STATE (12/29): Caught one pass on his lone target, gaining 20 yards … Diving reception over the middle to convert a third down late in the game

AS A GRADUATE (2022)

• Played in all 13 games on special teams and as a wide receiver. Finished the season with five catches for 62 yards, averaging 12.4 yards per catch. One of 11 players to record a receiving touchdown. Added 37 yards on punt returns and owned the Irish’s longest punt return of the season.
• OHIO STATE (9/3): Made one catch for a career-best 31 yards. Catch came on a go-route with single coverage, tipping the ball to himself three times before complete the catch while on his back, converting the 3rd and 2 on the first play of the second quarter, setting up the Irish’s first touchdown of the season.
• CALIFORNIA (9/17): Finished with a reception for a gain of four yards.
• NORTH CAROLINA (9/24): Added a seven yard catch.
• BOSTON COLLEGE (11/19): Earned the Irish’s longest punt return of the season, going for 28 yards in the victory over BC. Scored his first career touchdown with a one-yard reception. Season-high two receptions, finishing with 20 yards.
• South Carolina – TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (12/30): Returned a punt for seven yards in the Irish’s 20th bowl game victory in program history.

AS A SENIOR (2021)

• Appeared in 11 games for the Irish this season, including serving as the main punt returner during the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State; Finished season with 42 all-purpose yards
• NAVY (11/6): Returned two kickoffs and a long of 26 yards
• GEORGIA TECH (11/20): Returned a punt for four yards and made first reception of career in 55-0 win over the Yellow Jackets
• OKLAHOMA STATE – Fiesta Bowl (1/1): Returned four punts for a total of nine yards

AS A JUNIOR (2020)

• Played in 11 games for the Irish as the team’s punt returner; Finished season with 45 all-purpose yards
• SOUTH FLORIDA (9/19): Served as the primary punt returner for the Irish, posting one return for seven yards, in the 52-0 win
• CLEMSON (11/7): Marked one punt return for five yards in the 47-40 2OT win over the then-No. 1 Tigers
• BOSTON COLLEGE (11/14): Posted two punt returns for 12 yards in the 45-31 win
• NORTH CAROLINA (11/27): Notched one punt return for eight yards in the 31-17 win against the Tar Heels
• SYRACUSE (12/5): Totaled two punt returns for 12 yards in the 41-25 regular season finale win over the Orange
• Saw action at punt returner against Florida State (10/10), Louisville (10/17), Pitt (10/24), Georgia Tech (10/31), in the ACC title game against Clemson (12/19) and in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game against Alabama (1/1)

AS A SOPHOMORE (2019)

• Saw first collegiate action against New Mexico

FRESHMAN SEASON (2018)

• Did not see any game action during the season
• Helped the Notre Dame offense scout team during game preparation