Skip to main content

Pitt, Conner looking to run past FIU for 3-0 start

By WTOP Staff

TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP) — Through two games, FIU’s defense has put up some quality numbers against the run.

Neither of those games involved James Conner.

FIU (1-1) will be stepping up in opponent class Saturday, when Pittsburgh (2-0) makes its first of two trips to the Miami area this season. Pitt flies south again to close the regular season in a Nov. 29 meeting against Atlantic Coast Conference rival Miami.

Conner has been Pitt’s workhorse, and the game within the game Saturday will be how he fares against an FIU defense that has allowed just 2.3 yards per carry — though it should be noted those stats came against Bethune-Cookman and Wagner, neither school being part of college football’s upper echelon.

Conner was near the top of just about every imaginable national rushing chart after two weeks. He was tied for the national lead coming into Week 3 with five touchdowns, was second with 367 yards and fourth in carries with 50.

“I think that he’s kind of built for it,” Pitt coach Paul Chryst said.

The sample size is small, but the start looks staggering nonetheless.

He’s averaging 9.8 yards per carry in the first half, 7.1 yards per carry on first down, and has 10 runs for at least 10 yards already.

“He does a tremendous job,” FIU coach Ron Turner said of Conner. “That’s what they’re going to want to do, so they are going to line up and run the ball. Schematically they are very sound and very good. They’ve got good people doing it, so it’s going to be a huge challenge.”

And big challenges have led to big problems for FIU in recent times.

The three biggest-name schools on FIU’s schedule last year were Louisville, Central Florida and Maryland — who all got huge wins, combined score of those games being 153-10.

FIU is coming off a 34-3 win over Wagner, and has a chance to go over the .500 mark for the first time since the end of the 2011 season.

___

Here’s what else to look for in this Panthers-versus-Panthers matchup:

BIG START: Pitt’s last time ending a season as a member of the AP Top 25 and with at least 10 victories was 2009 — which just happens to be the last time the Panthers started 3-0. A win on Saturday would give Pitt that mark to open this season, and maybe with it a chance to build some real momentum for upcoming home games with Iowa and Akron.

CARRYOVER EFFECT: For a program desperate to get something going, the win over Wagner had to provide hope. Having Pitt and Louisville visit on consecutive Saturdays is big for FIU — which had lost 13 of its last 14 games before last weekend. In the two games immediately following its lone win last season, FIU was more competitive and Turner has to hope the same applies now.

WEATHER WATCH: It’s been getting cooler in Pittsburgh, the seasons starting to change again. That’s not the case in Miami, where the heat index — the combination of temperature and humidity — could make it feel like game-time temperatures are in the 90s on Saturday afternoon. It’s something Pitt will have to get used to quickly.

ROAD COOKING: Playing at home has not been an advantage for FIU of late. FIU had lost 12 straight in its on-campus stadium before the win over Wagner, and has not beaten a FBS program at home since edging Akron 41-38 on Sept. 8, 2012. Plus, Pitt is expecting plenty of its fans to be in attendance, including a number of former players.

FIU QUARTERBACKS: Turner has been considered a quarterback guru — the man once coached Peyton Manning — and FIU has two off to solid starts. True freshman Alex McGough has completed 22 of 45 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns, while veteran E.J. Hilliard is 17 of 22 for 195 yards. A stat to watch: FIU has not thrown an interception yet this season, and Pitt’s secondary has already picked off five passes in 2014.

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote