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Florida State defensive line banged up in easy win

By WTOP Staff

KAREEM COPELAND
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher will be perfectly happy to not face another triple-option team anytime in the near future.

The top-ranked Seminoles had three defensive linemen go down with injuries during the 37-12 win over The Citadel on Saturday.

The triple-option scheme calls for cut-blocks that, though legal, put defenders at risk. Florida State hopes the injuries aren’t serious for a defensive line already thin on experience.

“Those guys that cut and chop like that, it’s crazy,” Fisher said. “I’d rather play more conventional teams. Just because of the chance of injuries that occur.”

Starting defensive tackle Eddie Goldman went down during the first series, and his replacement, sophomore Justin Shanks, was hurt in the second series. Starting nose guard Nile Lawrence-Stample was injured in the second quarter. All three were lost for the game with lower leg injuries. Goldman was seen on crutches and wearing a boot on his left foot after the game.

Fisher didn’t know the extent of the injuries afterward.

The Citadel was never flagged for an illegal chop-block — cutting a player who is already engaged with another blocker — and Fisher said the blocks were legal. But there was a moment after the second injury when Fisher looked upset on the sideline. Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. said there were illegal blocks.

“I felt like they were playing a little dirty, taking cheap shots,” Edwards said. “You know, doing little high-lows, things like that.

“Every option team does it. They love to cut. They do cut work just like a quarterback does a five-step drop. That’s what they were taught to do. I don’t necessarily think they were taught to do high-lows. But they did it numerous times. I didn’t feel like the ref was calling that. I told the D-line, just play with your hands.”

Goldman is the biggest loss after he started all but one game on the national championship team. A five-star freshman in 2012, he played defensive end last year and was versatile enough to move inside this season.

Lawrence-Stample is in his second year starting on the line. He played tackle last year and slid over to nose guard in 2014 to replace Timmy Jernigan, the Baltimore Ravens’ second-round draft pick.

Fisher had talked about getting Shanks some action early in the week after he impressed in practices, but he didn’t last long.

The Seminoles have seven freshman defensive linemen who were one of the hot topics of training camp. Demarcus Christmas (6-foot-3, 302 pounds), Lorenzo Featherston (6-7, 220 pounds), Rick Leonard (6-7, 268 pounds) and Derrick Nnadi (6-2, 303 pounds) were all highly ranked recruits. Nnadi played early Saturday after the injuries. Edwards can slide inside if Fisher decides to bring another defensive end on the field.

“It’s definitely going to affect us,” defensive end Derrick Mitchell Jr. said. “(Goldman’s) a big part of our defense, a very important part. With all the guys going down, I think this week will be real important.”

Injuries piling up in an easy win against an FCS opponent is a worst-case scenario for those types of games. But Florida State is fortunate to have an open week before hosting Clemson on Sept. 20 in a key ACC matchup.

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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