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Penn State’s Lynch patiently waits his turn

By WTOP Staff

JIM CARLSON
Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Physically, Penn State tailback Akeel Lynch isn’t on the field frequently. Mentally, he doesn’t miss a snap.

The redshirt sophomore is third in line in a three-back Nittany Lion rotation and, even though he stays active on special teams, his focus is on every offensive play.

“I think my mindset is just to conduct myself like a starter, no matter the situation I’m placed in,” Lynch said. “That’s kind of the mindset I’ve been taught coming into college, because no matter what, there’s always someone trying to take your job.”

Job sharing is what’s in store for Lynch and running mates Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak for the foreseeable future.

Lynch ran for 81 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown against Massachusetts. That included a careerlong 46-yard run and a 15-yard carry that resulted in his first touchdown of the season. He has 131 yards on just 17 carries for a hefty per-carry average of 7.7 yards.

But Penn State coach James Franklin made it clear this week that the runner with the hottest hand will be the one doing the most with his feet.

“It’s being mentally tuned in,” Lynch said. “Keep tuned in to the game and always be ready when your name’s called. I really believe that when your time comes, your time will come.

“I can’t worry about the things I can’t control. I just control what I can control and that is my attitude and my effort, so when my name is called I have to be ready for it.”

Zwinak netted 1,989 yards the past two seasons but has just 97 on 33 carries thus far. Belton, the team’s rushing leader, has 164 on 41.

Lynch, a sophomore, has soaked up knowledge and information from those two seniors, so much that Franklin thinks Lynch’s style mirrors them both.

“He has Bill’s speed and some of his elusiveness and quickness,” Franklin said. “He has almost Zach’s size and is able to run with power. He brings a little of both of those guys together.”

Penn State, 4-0 and set to host Northwestern (1-2) on Saturday, is coming off its best rushing performance of the season against Massachusetts with 228 yards.

Lynch was quick to point out that that was just one game.

“That was one of our best rushing performances,” Lynch said. “Now we have to change each week so we beat our previous best. It’s a long season and not just one game. We have to change throughout the whole season.

But the Lions’ season “can be as good as we want it to be and I think it starts with us, the running backs, first.

“We pointed no fingers when the run game was not going our way. We looked at ourselves first and how we could improve our performance individually, because you can’t point fingers, you have to look at yourself first and that’s what we did as a group,” Lynch said.

“And the O-line did the same. Now we have to take the next step with that.”

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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