Matt Sparks

Height:
6-4
Weight:
280
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Mililani, Hawaii

As A Senior In 2015: Game-By-Game Statistics
Rimington Trophy Watch List (awarded to top center) ... Outland Trophy Watch List (bestowed up the top offensive or defensive interior lineman)

As A Junior In 2014: Game-By-Game Statistics
Distinguished MAC Scholar-Athlete ... MAC All-Academic Team ... Capital One Academic All-District ... Was the starting center in 10 contests as the Minutemen averaged 27.3 points and 421.1 total offensive yards as a team in 2014 ... Helped create holes for the run game, which produced 109.3 yards on average while providing time for the quarterback unit to toss for 311.8 yards per game through the air, the 10th-most in NCAA Division I FBS through statistics available on Dec. 4 ... Was the center for UMass when the Minutemen totaled 346 yards of offense at Vanderbilt (9/13) ... Anchored the offensive line when quarterback Blake Frohnapfel threw for a MAC and UMass record 589 yards to go with five touchdowns against Bowling Green (9/27) ... Organized the line as the center when UMass tallied 554 yards of offense and 41 points at Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 4. ... Missed the game at Kent State (10/11) due to injury ... Returned during the win over Eastern Michigan (10/18) as a reserve center and served as the starting center at Toledo (10/25).

As A Sophomore In 2013: Game-By-Game Statistics
Started 11 of the 12 games he played in ... Held the role of center on the offensive line ... Helped to lead the offensive line group which excelled in pass protection with just 16 sacks allowed over the 12-game schedule ... UMass was tied for fifth in the league for fewest sacks allowed in 2013 ... Also helped the run game improve in year two at the Football Bowl Subdivision as UMass rushed for over 1,500 yards on the ground and averaged 125.2 yards per game in 2013 compared to 1,075 yards rushing and an 89.6 per game average in 2012 ... Was the starting center for the Minutemen in the season-opening contest at No. 23 Wisconsin (8/31) ... Appeared against Maine (9/7) and started at Kansas State (9/14) ... Added more starts at center against Vanderbilt (9/21) and Bowling Green (10/5) ... Was the center when UMass totaled 376 yards of offense in the win over Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 12 ... Continued as the starting center at Buffalo (10/19) and against Western Michigan (10/26) ... Helped Lorenzo Woodley rush for 163 yards and a touchdown against No. 17/21 Northern Illinois (11/2).

As A Freshman In 2012: Game-By-Game Statistics
Played in six games, starting three on the offensive line ... First snaps with the Minutemen came at No. 17 Michigan (9/15) ... Also made appearances against Western Michigan (10/6), Bowling Green (10/20), Vanderbilt (10/27), Northern Illinois (11/3) and Buffalo (11/17).

Before UMass: Named to the 2011 ESPN High School All-Hawaii Football Team ... Earned first team all-conference honors under head coach Kale Anae at The Punahou School.

Personal: Matthew Steven Sparks ... Born November 25, 1994 in Honolulu, Hawaii ... Son of Cary and Heidi Sparks ... Brother of Jacob and Rachael ... Majoring in engineering.