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Panthers, Hawkeyes looking for legitimacy

By WTOP Staff

WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Chryst doesn’t do hype.

If Pittsburgh keeps winning, however, the unassuming third-year head coach knows the Panthers will be unable to avoid it.

It’s a notion Chryst can live with. Besides, it beats the alternative. So while he is doing everything he can to downplay his team’s 3-0 start heading into Saturday’s game against scuffling Iowa (2-1) — even bemoaning a rushing attack that ranks fourth in the country behind sophomore James Conner — Chryst is also prepping his program for dealing with the trappings of success.

“I think guys when they come, and we talk about it all the time, ‘Why did you come to Pitt?'” Chryst said. “It’s to play in games like we get an opportunity to play in here. You’ve got a chance, if you do stuff, to be recognized.”

Forgive Pitt if it’s out of practice. The Panthers haven’t won their first four games since 2000. Find a way to reach that milestone against the Hawkeyes and a solid September has a chance to evolve into something considerably more serious.

“I believe we can win our division and go to the ACC championship,” senior safety Ray Vinopal said. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be fighting so hard for it. But it’s not what I believe in, it’s what can we achieve. This week would certainly help our outlook.”

So would a victory for Iowa, which is still smarting after a late collapse against rival Iowa State last week.

The Hawkeyes have been unable to generate much offense under coordinator Greg Davis. At a time when teams are scoring at an unprecedented rate, Iowa is averaging a modest 21.3 points per game, 102nd in the country.

Coach Kirk Ferentz shrugged his shoulders when pressed about the inability to get much traction.

“Clearly we’re not operating as well as we need to,” he said. “Seventeen points the other day wasn’t enough to win. That’s the bottom line.”

Some things to look for as Pitt attempts to build a case as a legitimate contender in the ACC and the Hawkeyes try to avoid entering Big Ten play on a losing streak.

CRUISING CONNER: A month ago Chryst talked at length about using Conner as a dual threat at running back and defensive end. Those plans are buried in the back of the playbook. Conner’s 544 yards are a school record through three games and his eight rushing touchdowns lead the country. Iowa is sixth against the run, but has yet to face anyone like Conner.

“He’s strong, he’s fast,” Ferentz said of Conner. “He has a good ability to pick holes, see holes. They’re very big and very athletic up front.”

ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION: Iowa’s last visit to Heinz Field came in 2008 and ended in a loss that wound up being a turning point for the program. Ferentz chose to go with Jake Christensen over a young Ricky Stanzi at quarterback in the second half, and the Hawkeyes fell 21-20. Iowa started Stanzi the following week, and he led the Hawkeyes to 16 wins in their next 20 games — including an Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech following the 2009 season. Iowa also returned the favor in 2011 in Iowa City, rallying from 17 down to beat Pitt 31-27. “We reached our goal that day. It was a good day. It wasn’t easy,” Ferentz said.

YINZER FERENTZ: Ferentz attended Upper St. Clair High in suburban Pittsburgh, and his first college job was as a graduate assistant with Pitt in 1980. Ferentz had committed to a second season with the Panthers before Hayden Fry posted an opening for an offensive line coach. Ferentz applied on a lark, got the job and spent the next nine seasons as an assistant in Iowa City. “My only intent was just to interview so I knew how to interview, so when I had to go look for a job the next year, I’d have some clue what I was doing. That was the only reason I came out here. The rest is history,” Ferentz said.

STILL SUBBING: While Chad Voytik still has a strong hold on the starting quarterback job, Chryst will continue to insert backup Trey Anderson when he believes Voytik needs a break. Chryst sent Anderson in during the second half last week against Florida International even though Voytik had rallied the Panthers from a 16-0 deficit. “I think there are times when you have to take what the defense gives you,” Chryst said of Voytik. “I thought that he just needed to sit back, see the game, and realize that it’s just a game.”

STAYING HUMBLE: Pitt’s start was nearly undone against lowly FIU when the Panthers feel behind by three scores before surging to a 42-25 triumph. The defense considered it a necessary wake-up call they don’t expect to be repeated.

“The ball bounces however it’s going to bounce, but we were able to respond and bounce back after a rough start,” defensive tackle Darryl Render said. “This adversity can only help us in the remaining games.”

___

AP Sports Writer Luke Meredith in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.

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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