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3 backs, 1 goal for Penn State offense

By WTOP Staff

JIM CARLSON
Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State’s three-headed offensive attack will stay intact.

Coach James Franklin said Tuesday that running backs Bill Belton, Zach Zwinak and Akeel Lynch will continue to share the workload, at least until one of them can carry it single-handedly.

That has yet to happen. Inconsistent play from the Nittany Lions’ offensive line has prevented any of the backs from having a breakout game through Penn State’s four straight victories and has forced quarterback Christian Hackenberg to “shoulder a lot of the offense,” according to Franklin.

The tailback rotation has combined for 392 yards on 91 carries and seven touchdowns. Penn State’s scoring offense is 10th in the Big Ten. Its rushing offense, despite 228 yards against Massachusetts, is 13th. The Lions face Northwestern (1-2) at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

“We don’t really overthink it,” Franklin said. “Basically, each one of them is going to get a series to start the game.

“Obviously, we also have specific plays in the game plan tagged for specific players. So this may be Bill Belton’s series, but this play is tagged for Akeel based on his strengths. That’s where you’ll see guys run in and out and kid of mix things up.

“Basically, we’re going to allow each one of them to get a series and whoever the guy that looks like he’s being the most effective, we’ll go with him a little bit longer or the rest of the game.

“It just kind of depends. We haven’t really gotten to that point yet. All three have shown they can be effective when we’re getting movement up front and creating space. But there’s not one guy separating themselves from the others; we have three quality guys.”

Franklin also labeled penalties – an average of nearly six per game – as “drive-killers.”

Hackenberg’s 1,261 yards passing ranks him eighth in the country and first in the Big Ten. His 315.3 passing yards per game are good for tops in the Big Ten and 20th in the country.

“He’s played extremely well,” Franklin said. “It’s helpful for Hack and it’s also helpful for the play-caller when the run game is working because you double your playbook.

“It also helps in protection because you’re able to wear guys down in the running game, and it takes pressure off the quarterback who doesn’t feel like he has to make every throw.

“The fact that Hack’s been able to pull (the) ball down and take off and get some positive yardage has been really effective for us. We don’t ever want him to be what people would call a dual-threat quarterback, but to pull it down four times a game get us six to 12 yards and get down without taking a hit . those things are really, really valuable.”

Franklin has found consistency on defense. Penn State has allowed just 11 points per game, good for sixth nationally and first in the conference. The 49.5-yard per-game rushing average gives the Lions the No. 1 spot statistically in both.

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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