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Florida RB Jones glad to be back after glum 2013

By WTOP Staff

MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida running back Matt Jones was mostly miserable last season.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior from Seffner missed considerable time with a viral infection, rushed back for the second game of the season and then injured his knee a few weeks later.

He didn’t think things could get any worse.

But with Jones watching from the sideline, the Gators ended the year with seven consecutive losses and recorded the program’s first losing season since 1979.

“Watching the team just kind of falling apart, that was the toughest thing,” he said.

Jones is healthy now and eager to prove last year was a fluke — for himself and Florida.

“I think we’re going to overcome that 4-8 (record),” Jones said. “We don’t have 4-8 in our head no more. This team is kind of rebuilding. We’re stacked at every position.”

Especially at running back.

With Jones, sophomore Kelvin Taylor, fifth-year senior Mack Brown and versatile freshman Brandon Powell, the Gators have their most backfield depth in years. Throw in redshirt freshman Adam Lane and former walk-on Mark Herndon, and Florida could be poised to run — literally — back into contention in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division.

Sure, quarterback Jeff Driskel and the team’s revamped offensive line probably will be more important in determining Florida’s success this season. But being able to run the ball consistently has proven to be a championship model for the Gators.

And Jones could be the key to making it work.

He has the size to pick up tough yards between the tackles, the speed to get to the edge and go the distance, and the receiver skills to be a threat in the passing game.

“He’s a 230-pound back that, about midway through the third and fourth quarter, you get tired of hitting,” coach Will Muschamp said. “He’s got extremely good hands, he’s very good at protection, very smart player. … He looks really good. He’s healthy, he’s in shape, he’s excited, itching to get started.”

Jones felt the same way last season.

He spent a week in the hospital and more than a month recovering from a viral infection that sapped his strength and energy and took off more than 10 pounds. Jones worked his way back on the field in time to play at Miami, but averaged 2.6 yards a carry and fumbled in a loss to the Hurricanes.

He fumbled again the following week against Tennessee, prompting Muschamp to open up the job. Jones responded with a 176-yard performance at Kentucky, solidifying his spot atop the depth chart.

But just as he was starting to fully recover and find his rhythm, he tore meniscus in his left knee in a loss at LSU in early October.

“Last year was very difficult just overcoming my sickness and just going into the season and getting hurt,” said Jones, who finished with 339 yards rushing and two touchdowns. “I just feel like I’m a step ahead of my game this year. I’m just glad I’m here in camp with my boys.”

He’s hardly just one of the guys in practice, though.

Jones has adjusted well to new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s spread scheme. As much havoc as Jones can cause on zone, counter and power plays, he’s proven to be equally adept in the passing game.

“I love the offense,” Jones said. “I love what Roper’s doing with the running backs, giving us a chance we can really catch the ball. That will really up our stock just trying to go to the next level. So I feel good about catching the ball.”

And he’s no longer miserable.

“Definitely last year we lost a lot of confidence just because everything was going downhill,” he said. “With this new offense, we definitely feel confident because every time we go against the defense we move the ball and everybody’s feeling comfortable. We’re spreading the ball, nobody is being selfish.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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