Dan Malone has an article on Sparks.
Sparks will be a senior this fall and should anchor a offensive line that should return all five starters (something we haven't seen for a while).
The starting O-line for November 14th, 2014 was:
LT Tyrell Smith 6-5 315 (23 career starts)
LG Fabian Hoeller 6-3 295 (15 career starts)
C Matt Sparks 6-4 280 (21 career starts)
RG Michael Boland 6-7 315 (12 career starts)
RT Elijah Wilkinson 6-4 315 (12 career starts)
The Minutemen offensive line gave up 28 sacks in 2014, which tied for 9th in the MAC. That probably was not bad given UMass led the league with 492 attempts. The line did less well in run blocking. The Minutemen were 11th in rush offense yards per game and 11th in yards per rush (3.4). Barring any injuries, the line should return intact and we would hope be a strength in 2015.
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Two other MAC centers were named to the Rimington Trophy watch list: Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.
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247Sports looks at the top 25 college football teams in fastest play. UMass ties for 19th.
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Coach Golden had an article in American Football Monthly.
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NewsOK looks at the SEC's OOC schedule. A number of MAC teams play SEC opponents in 2015.
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Syracuse is bringing their iconic #44 out of retirement.
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