Four years ago, Matt Sparks made his college football debut in front of 110,000 people in Michigan Stadium.

Saturday, he’ll play as a senior at UMass in another one of college football’s landmark stadiums.

Sparks and the Minutemen head to South Bend, Ind., to play at Notre Dame Stadium against the sixth-ranked Fighting Irish.

The game will be televised in Hawaii at 9:30 a.m. on KHNL.

Sparks, a 6-foot-4, 292-pound offensive lineman who graduated from Punahou in 2012, has played at least one football powerhouse on the road each year.

He’s started games at Penn State and at Wisconsin, but said making his debut in “The Big House” against the Wolverines stood out the most.

That might change on Saturday.

“Michigan was the first game I ever played and I was really freaking out about that, but I’m more excited for this one,” Sparks said. “Everyone that has been to a game (at Notre Dame) says it’s an awesome environment and so I’m excited to see how we stack up against them and compete against them because they’re a pretty good team.”

UMass lost 63-13 to Michigan in 2012, 45-0 to Penn State and 37-7 to Kansas State in ’13 and 48-7 to the Nittany Lions last season.

The Minutemen are 0-2 and are coming off a crushing loss to Temple last Saturday. The Owls kicked the winning field goal with 12 seconds left to win 25-23.

The matchup against Notre Dame will be another tough road game, but it won’t take away from the high expectations Sparks has for the Minutemen this season.

“I think we’re going to compete for the MAC championship,” Sparks said. “Our goal is to win the MAC and make it to a bowl game and I believe we are talented enough to do that. We just have to perform.”

One area the Minutemen are solidified at is center, where Sparks has started 26 games over the past three seasons.

He’s listed on the Rimington Award Trophy Watch List for the nation’s top center and the Outland Trophy Watch List for the best offensive or defensive interior lineman.

“I’m excited that the hard work is starting to pay off, but I don’t really think about it,” Sparks said of the awards. “It was cool seeing all that stuff, but now I’ve got to go out and earn it and prove them right. I realize I still have a long way to go.”

Sparks stands out in Massachusetts not only because of his size, but as one of the only people from Hawaii at the school.

As a senior with the Buffanblu, Sparks was set on staying home to play for Hawaii when then-head coach Greg McMackin retired and Norm Chow eventually took over.

Nick Rolovich, who was on McMackin’s staff, had developed a friendship with Sparks and was instrumental in his recruitment.

Rolovich took a job at UMass two weeks before signing day and convinced Sparks to sign with the Minutemen after a trip to the East Coast.

But a week after signing day, Rolovich took the offensive coordinator job at Nevada, leaving Sparks without any real ties to Hawaii at UMass.

“I was excited to play for him, but I can’t complain,” Sparks said.

Sparks admitted to feeling out of place when he first went to college and said he called his parents “all of the time” wanting to come home. When winter rolled around, it got even worse.

After the season ended, Sparks returned to Hawaii for winter break and instead of the trip reaffirming his desire to come back home, he realized something different.

“I talked to everybody and realized I can still come home when I want. It’s not like I’m stuck (at UMass) forever,” Sparks said. “I realized I could enjoy my time (at UMass) and still come home after. Things don’t really change in Hawaii.”

By the time Sparks’ sophomore season rolled around, all of that homesickness was gone.

Sparks had locked up a starting spot at center and was instead focused on winning more games at UMass, which had gone 1-11 his freshman year.

“Once I started to actually play and get into a rhythm, it helped a lot,” Sparks said. “(Losing) was hard and we just lost another (heartbreaker) on Saturday so it’s frustrating, but at the same time, we’ve come so far from when I first got here. Now we’ve got to take that one last step and actually win those games.”

After playing at Notre Dame, the Minutemen host Florida International before opening MAC play at Bowling Green on Oct. 10.

AROUND THE NATION

Football

» Isaako Savaiinaea, Punahou ’13: The UCLA junior linebacker made 14 tackles and was in on two sacks in a 24-23 win over Brigham Young on Saturday.

» Kaimi Fairbairn, Punahou ’12: The Bruins kicker booted the deciding extra point with 2:12 remaining and was 3-for-3 on extra-point tries and made his only field goal attempt from 35 yards in the win over BYU.

» Jeremy Tabuyo, Saint Louis ’13: The Texas A&M receiver caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in a 44-27 win over Nevada on Saturday.

» Kalei Meyer, Kamehameha ’14: The Nevada defensive lineman assisted on his first career sack against the Aggies.

» DeForest Buckner, Punahou ’12: The Oregon senior defensive lineman was in on seven tackles with three for loss and two sacks in a 61-28 win over Georgia State on Saturday.

» Canton Kaumatule, Punahou ’15: The Oregon freshman recorded his first two tackles as a Duck against George State.

» Kaulana Apelu, Kamehameha ’15: The Oregon linebacker assisted on his first collegiate tackle for the Ducks.

» Manase Hungalu, Kealakehe ’13: The Oregon State sophomore linebacker had a team-high 11 tackles with one for a loss in a 35-21 win over San Jose State on Saturday.

» Titus Failauga, Mid-Pacific ’13: The Oregon State defensive end had three tackles with one for a loss against the Spartans.

» Kalani Vakameilalo, Kapolei ’14: The Beavers freshman defensive tackle had a tackle for loss against San Jose State.

» Hercules Mata’afa, Lahainaluna ’14: The Washington State freshman defensive lineman had a tackle for loss and forced a fumble in a 31-14 win over Wyoming on Saturday.

» Siaosi Hala’api’api, Kaimuki ’12: The Cowboys defensive end made four tackles with two going for a loss against the Cougars.

» Tau Lotulelei, Maui ’12: The UNLV linebacker tied for team-high honors with eight tackles in a 28-7 loss to Michigan on Saturday.

» Peni Vea, Kealakehe ’11: The UNLV defensive back also had eight tackles against the Wolverines.

» Dakota Turner, Mililani ’13: The San Diego State linebacker made six tackles with two for losses in a 34-27 overtime loss to South Alabama on Saturday.

» Warner Shaw, KS-Hawaii ’12: The Pacific (Ore.) quarterback finished 31-for-46 for a career-high 409 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-29 loss to Dubuque on Saturday.

» Bronson Barretto, Kamehameha ’12: The Boxers running back rushed for 25 yards and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run against Dubuque. Barretto also caught three passes for 26 yards.

» Trey Kodama, Kamehameha ’12: The Boxers linebacker made two tackles and forced a fumble against Dubuque.

» Quincy Marting, Punahou ’12: The Washington (Mo.) senior was named the UAA defensive athlete of the week for the second time this season after recording a career-high 14 tackles and an interception in a 34-24 loss to Centre College on Saturday.

» Josiah Situmeang, ‘Iolani ’13: The Washington (Mo.) defensive end had two tackles with a sack against Centre College.

Women’s Golf

» Nani Yanagi, Waiakea ’12: The Washington State senior shot the low score of the third round with a 3-under 69 to finish in a tie for sixth place at 2 over in the WSU Cougar Cup that ended Tuesday.

» Kirsten Ishikawa, Baldwin ’15: The Eastern Washington freshman finished in a tie for 36th place at 14 over at the WSU Cougar Cup.

» Kalea Heu, Baldwin ’12: The Utah Valley senior finished in a tie for 41st place at 18 over in the WSU Cougar Cup after shooting a 1-under 71 in the second round.

» Cassandra Lesa, University ’12: The Utah Valley senior finished in a tie for 41st place at 18 over after shooting her best round of 2-over 74 in the second round.

» Kimberlie Miyamoto, Baldwin ’14: The Eastern Washington sophomore closed with 77 and 78 to finish in a tie for 48th place at 21 over in the WSU Cougar Cup.

Women’s Soccer

» McKenna Davidson, Kealakehe ’12: The Pacific (Ore.) senior scored the game-winning goal in the 96th minute of a 2-1 overtime victory over Whitman (Wash.) on Saturday.

» Tia Kinilau, Kamehameha ’15: The Pacific (Ore.) freshman assisted on the first goal against Whitman (Wash.).

» Kililani Kunitomo, Konawaena ’15: The Pacific (Ore.) freshman played all 100 minutes in goal and made two saves against the Missionaries.

Women’s Volleyball

» Loxley Keala, ‘Iolani ’13: The Iowa setter was named tournament MVP of the Holiday Inn Hawkeye Challenge over the weekend. Keala finished with 152 assists, 22 digs, 11 kills, six block assists and three aces to help the Hawkeyes go 4-0.

» Carly Kan, Punahou ’13: The Missouri junior outside hitter won her fourth tournament MVP award of the season at the Butler Invitational over the weekend. Kan finished with a team-high 55 kills while hitting .307 in three wins.

» Kalei Mau, Kaiser ’13: The Arizona outside hitter had 22 kills, eight digs and three block assists in a five-set loss to No. 2 Texas on Friday in the Wildcat Classic. Mau finished with 55 kills, 32 digs, five block assists and two assists to help UA go 2-1 and earn all-tournament honors.

» Penina Snuka, Kahuku ’13: The Arizona setter was named to the Wildcat Classic all-tournament team after tallying 123 assists, 32 digs, five block assists, five kills and three aces in three matches.

» Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha ’14: The Brigham Young setter had a match-high 21 assists, seven digs, two kills and two block assists in a sweep of Utah on Thursday.

» Adora Anae, Kahuku ’14: The Utah outside hitter had a match-high 16 kills and 15 digs against BYU.

» Kamalani Akeo, Kamehameha ’15: The Pittsburgh freshman setter had 63 assists and 21 digs to help the Panthers go 3-0 in the Panther Invitational over the weekend.

» Hoakalei Dawson, ‘Iolani ’14: The American University sophomore had 13 digs, three assists and an ace in a five-set loss to Virginia on Saturday in the championship game of AU Volleyball Classic.

» Tiyana Hallums, Kamehameha ’15: The Gonzaga freshman had 19 digs, two kills and an ace to help the Cougars go 2-1 in the Jayhawk Classic over the weekend.

» Imani Wimbush, Radford ’12: The Gonzaga junior middle had four kills, four block assists and two digs in a four-set loss to host Kansas in the Jayhawk Classic.

» Kalehua Katagiri, Kamehameha ’13: The Siena (N.Y.) defensive specialist totaled a match-high 21 digs, four assists and an ace in a four-set victory over Manhattan College on Sunday.

» Bobbi Lin Kalama, KS-Maui ’13: The Siena (N.Y.) junior finished with 20 digs, an assist and an ace against Manhattan College.

» Allie Yamashiro, Kamehameha ’13: The Manhattan College defensive specialist had a team-high 20 digs, an ace and an assist against the Saints.

» Marissa Behrens, Punahou ’14: The Manhattan College sophomore hit .308 with six kills, a solo block and two block assists against Siena (N.Y.).

» Keaupono Fey, Punahou ’14: The Winthrop (S.C.) sophomore hit .409 with 10 kills, three aces and nine blocks in four-set losses to Murray State and Davidson on Saturday in the Winthrop Invitational.

» Taryn Auyong, Kamehameha ’14: The Caldwell University junior had nine kills and four digs in a four-set win over Philadelphia and posted a double-double of 13 kills and 13 digs in a four-set victory over Southern Connecticut State on Saturday.

» Kaylen Higa, Punahou ’15: The Willamette (Ore.) freshman had a match-high 26 digs, three assists and an ace in a four-set victory over George Fox on Saturday.

» Macy Hayashi, Waiakea ’12: The Willamette (Ore.) senior had 10 digs, two aces and an assist against George Fox.

» Taylor Lum, Maryknoll ’13: The Willamette (Ore.) middle blocker had four digs, three kills and three block assists against George Fox.

Men’s Water Polo

» Oliver Lewis, Punahou ’14: The Stanford goalkeeper posted his first career shutout in an 18-0 victory over Santa Clara in the Cardinal’s opening game of the Kap7 NorCal Invitational on Saturday.

» Griffin Bolan, Punahou ’12: The Cardinal junior scored goals in each of Stanford’s first two wins in the Kap7 NorCal Invitational on Saturday.

Compiled by the Star-Advertiser’s Billy Hull. To submit an athlete for publication, email bhull@staradvertiser.com.