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No. 17 Hokies: Focus key vs East Carolina

By WTOP Staff

HANK KURZ Jr.
AP Sports Writer

The stakes are higher for No. 17 Virginia Tech.

A victory at No. 22 Ohio State last weekend vaulted the Hokies into the national conversation again.

Their next test comes Saturday when East Carolina (1-1) brings its potent passing game and history of playing Virginia Tech close to Lane Stadium.

Last season, Virginia Tech (2-0) shut down the Pirates in a 15-10 win in Greenville, North Carolina. This week, the veterans made sure the younger Hokies understood the stakes.

“The old guys, obviously, understand that you have to be mentally prepared for this next game,” senior center Caleb Farris said this week. “And it’s not a given. But the young guys understand that also, which is really important as a team to get the young guys to understand that.”

Pirates QB Shane Carden and wide receiver Justin Hardy are the star tandem on offense for the Pirates, and the Hokies held them in check last season. Carden completed 19 passes, but for just 158 yards, and Hardy caught six for 31 yards — paltry numbers in a season of 114 catches for almost 1,300 yards.

Pirates coach Ruffin McNeill spent this week making it about the team and not individuals.

“I see it as 11-man football against 11-man football,” he said.

The Hokies, under defensive coordinator Bud Foster, against appear to possess one of the nation’s top defenses. They have a new spread offense that quarterback Michael Brewer operates with efficiency.

Unlike last season, when the Hokies were raw at tight end, they’ve been stellar with Ryan Malleck leading the team in receptions and Bucky Hodges already having two touchdown catches.

Their versatility has made Brewer’s job easier.

“They’re very versatile and multiple in what they can do, which is a big reason why they’ve been so effective,” he said. “Both of those guys will stick their hands in the ground and they can pass block, they can run block, they can go out for a pass. … We’ve just got a lot of different things you can do with the offense when those guys are in the game.”

Here are things to watch for when East Carolina plays at Virginia Tech:

PREGAME AGENDA: East Carolina QB Shane Carden was among the Pirates most eager to begin studying game film of the Hokies, probably because they neutralized him last season. He’s a skilled QB with a big-time receiver in Justin Hardy, but trying to do too much could burn him against the Hokies’ defense.

PASS RUSH: The Hokies have 11 sacks in two games, and the Pirates lost three veterans off their offensive line after last season. Virginia Tech has a knack for turning pressure into mistakes, and if Carden can be coaxed into throwing a few balls up, it could wind up being a long day for the Pirates.

FOCUS: After two subpar seasons by Virginia Tech standards, the Hokies ended Ohio State’s 25-game regular season winning streak with their upset victory last week. That vaulted them back into the national conversation, and also made them, once again, a target.

KEEPING MIKE STANDING: Brewer appears to be a gamer, and he took some rough hits last week while scrapping for first-down yardage. Coach Frank Beamer this week praised backup Mark Leal as vital, too, but Virginia Tech went to a hurry-up offense to suit Brewer, and it needs to keep him healthy.

GROUND GAME: The Pirates like to balance their offense by running the ball, and averaged 6 yards per carry in a 33-23 loss at South Carolina last week. The Hokies always look to cut that off first and will be intent on getting freshmen Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie productive running the ball.

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Follow Hank on twitter at: http://twitter.com/hankkurzjr

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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