Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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10 OCT. 2, 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Matt Sparks is in his fourth season as an associ- ate head coach with the cross country and track and field program at Notre Dame. He guides the women's cross country team, plus the female distance runners during the indoor and outdoor track seasons. As of Sept. 21, the women's cross country team was ranked No. 10 nationally by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association after collecting first- and second-place finishes, respec- tively, in its first two meets. BGI: How do you try to deal with the national ranking as far making sure the team doesn't get complacent? Sparks: "It's a long grind. The key thing is a lot of these young ladies come from very high-profile high school backgrounds where they are running for individual and team in high school. "So, they are well aware of what's important — and that's what you're doing in November and not September." BGI: What has helped propel the team to a good start so far this season? Sparks: "The first meet we lost, we ran our what we'll call almost an exhibition meet, so we didn't even run our top seven girls. At this point of the year, we haven't played all of our cards. I look at the season like it's a little bit like a puzzle. We have to get all of the pieces of the puzzle together when it matters. "Our big gun Anna Rohrer is a two-time All-American, local super- star from Mishawka. … We're mak- ing sure she is healthy and ready to go when it matters. … A few other girls we've learned throughout the years when they run well and when they don't, so we've kind of kept them under wraps until we need to. It's a very individualized approach." BGI: What do you like about the team and what they've shown so far? Sparks: "We've got a pretty de- cent veteran group, but we don't have any seniors on the team necessarily that are going to contribute at this point. "So, it's a unique group of sophomores and juniors, and we have one freshman that has really stepped up." BGI: Notre Dame has been on run with really talented long distance runners such as Molly Seidel and Rohrer. Is that a sign of what's to come for the program? Sparks: "It all goes back to when Molly Seidel established things winning her national champi- onship in cross country two years ago and Anna [Rohrer] was sixth in that same race. I think that opened up a lot of eyes to the high school kids that this is a place that they come and thrive and be part of a great campus community, but also a great athletic department. "It's making my job a lot easier when I don't have to explain what our program is and what we're doing. They already know." BGI: What will the keys be to continuing the good finishes and eventually doing well at the NCAA Championships? Sparks: " That's the million-dollar question. That's what I wake up every day trying to answer to myself. What's the next piece of this puzzle where we've been eighth and 11th the last couple of years and what will put us over the top? "You always need that ace in the hole — that Anna Rohrer or Molly Seidel. … I think the heart and soul of putting us over the top is that team concept. I think we have a good start to that and just need to grow a little more depth." — Corey Bodden Five Questions With … CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH MATT SPARKS Equanimeous St. Brown Must Assert Himself By Lou Somogyi For critics of Brian Kelly who say his teams have relied way too much on the pass and seldom established a consistently strong ground attack, the first quarter of the 2017 season had quite the role reversal. During the 2-1 start, the Irish ranked fifth nationally in rushing with 330.1 yards per game, but were only 124th among 129 teams in passing efficiency. Much of the blame was placed on junior quar- terback Brandon Wimbush's timing, accuracy and even footwork while he adjusted to his new start- ing role, although his running skills were an asset. However, to upgrade the pass attack, the receiv- ing corps will need to elevate its game as well, and it begins with junior Equanimeous St. Brown. As a sophomore, St. Brown flashed on to the scene with 58 catches that averaged 16.6 yards and included nine scores. However, he had only a combined three receptions for 19 yards versus Georgia and Boston College this year despite be- ing targeted about 20 times. In previous years under Kelly, everyone knew the ball in crucial situations would go to a Michael Floyd, Tyler Eifert, TJ Jones, Will Fuller, etc., and in 2016 it was often St. Brown. Once he can regain his rhythm and establish a chemistry with Wimbush — be it the short, intermediate or longer routes — the offense should find its balance to where the field will open up for others. St. Brown entered the season as the alpha figure among the receivers, and gradually needs to work into that role again for this offense to reach its full potential. Kevin Stepherson Needs To Return With A Vengeance By Bryan Driskell There's no doubt that Notre Dame needs standout junior Equanimeous St. Brown to start playing like "the man" in the offense, but even an inspired and productive St. Brown won't be enough for the Irish to continue winning week after week. Sophomore wide receiver Chase Claypool should start seeing the ball more, and so could freshman Michael Young. At tight end, junior Alizé Mack seems poised for a true breakout after a career-high five catches against Boston College. Mack could have a significant impact on the offense, and when it's all said and done he could end up being Notre Dame's best pass catcher. But as good as he is, he isn't the player who could have the biggest impact should he emerge. That honor belongs to a player who has yet to take a snap this season. Sophomore Kevin Stepherson is currently not part of Notre Dame's plans, due to what is re- ported to be a four-game suspension. He should be eligible to return when Notre Dame heads home to face Miami (Ohio). He won't be a lock to see the field, but if he can work himself out of the doghouse he could completely change the look of the offense. Stepherson led the Irish in yards per catch (18.5) as a true freshman in 2016. He has game-breaking speed, something that could prove to be a nightmare for opponents who must also contend with the size of Mack (6-5), St. Brown (6-5) and Claypool (6-4½). A motivated and focused Stepherson makes Notre Dame a nightmare to match up with. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHAT PASS CATCHER MUST EMERGE MOST TO UPGRADE NOTRE DAME'S AERIAL ATTACK? ST. BROWN STEPHERSON Sparks is entering his fourth season as associate head coach of the cross country and track and field program. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS