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No. 11 UCLA’s Myles Jack focused on stopping ASU

By WTOP Staff

DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — All eyes are usually on Myles Jack, UCLA’s electrifying two-way star linebacker and running back.

When the Bruins played Arizona State last season, everyone saw Jack standing on the sideline as the Sun Devils’ offense went up and down the field en route to a 35-13 halftime lead.

Jack only played on offense in the 38-33 loss that ultimately decided the Pac-12 South, and the decision not to use him on the other side of the ball was even second-guessed by UCLA coach Jim Mora.

This time around Jack is focused on defense, which he termed his “main job,” heading into the conference opener for the 11th-ranked Bruins (3-0) when they face the No. 15 Sun Devils (3-0) in Tempe, Arizona, on Thursday night.

“Myles is a big playmaker for us,” linebacker Eric Kendricks said. “It’s going to be huge having him back.”

Even as some on the UCLA sideline were pushing for Jack to go in and try to slow down Arizona State, Jack himself said it was never a realistic option as he did not know the defensive game plan or calls after practicing all week on offense.

“I wished I was on defense, but I put it on my shoulders like, ‘What could I have done more on offense to help the team?'” said Jack, who rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Now Jack is more comfortable preparing for both roles, totaling 13 tackles and 21 yards rushing with one touchdown in the two games he has been used on offense and defense this season. But against Arizona State, Jack is focused squarely on how to contain running back D.J. Foster.

Foster had been the focal point of the Arizona State offense this season long before quarterback Taylor Kelly hurt his foot against Colorado, ranking second in the FBS with 216.3 all-purpose yards per game.

He also ranks fifth nationally with 170 yards rushing per game, while his six total touchdowns are tied for the Pac-12 lead.

“Stats don’t lie,” Kendricks said. “I feel like he is one of the best we’ve seen thus far, and maybe in the nation. He’s running the ball hard. He has a lot of aspects to his game that are elite, and we’re going to treat him as such.”

With fifth-year senior Mike Bercovici set to make his first career start, the Bruins expect Arizona State to lean even more heavily on Foster’s dynamic skills carrying the ball and catching it out of the backfield or split out wide.

“He is pretty much their guy,” Jack said. “He does everything. He’s a total back, and we’re excited for a challenge like that.”

For Jack, it could frequently become a one-on-one challenge tracking Foster all over the field in the passing game. Jack has demonstrated the range and athleticism to do so, posting two interceptions and 11 pass breakups in his brief college career.

While Jack played exclusively on offense last season, Arizona State was able to capitalize by throwing to running back Marion Grice a game-high seven times for 72 yards.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said there are several other options in the Bruins’ talented linebacker corps to cover Foster, but none might be as prepared for the assignment as Jack, who has plenty of experience as the focus of the opposing defense.

“I remember the Texas game, I looked up and all three of their linebackers were staring blatantly at me,” Jack said. “They knew what was about to happen.”

Even with the defense’s eyes on him, Jack had five carries for 14 yards in the 20-17 win over the Longhorns.

Jack will get to return the favor against Arizona State, with his eyes on Foster at all times.

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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