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No. 4 Oklahoma rides a FB named Ripkowski

By WTOP Staff

MURRAY EVANS
Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — The names folks see on the stat sheet are Samaje Perine, Keith Ford and Alex Ross, the three-headed tailback monster for No. 4 Oklahoma.

But the guy that trio credits for much of the success of the Sooners’ rushing attack? Senior Aaron Ripkowski, who’s officially listed as a fullback but also has worked as a tight end and a blocking back. A former walk-on, “Rip” isn’t often in the limelight, but his penchant for bowling over defenders has helped make him a bit of a legend among his teammates.

“He can be quiet, but I think that’s just his personality,” said quarterback-turned-tight end Blake Bell. “He’s just real quiet and soft-spoken at times. When you get on the field, he can just be loud and turns into a creature.

“When you’re a defensive guy and you have a guy that just keeps coming and wearing you out and wearing you out every play, like I’ve seen him do . that gets kind of annoying. You almost take a step back or dodge the block. That’s what Rip does a good job of. He’s just coming and coming and if they take a step left, that’s when the hole gets bigger.”

Now 6-foot-1 and 257 pounds, Ripkowski had few suitors coming out of small-town Dayton, Texas. He could have gone to Navy and he also received a few scholarship offers from non-NCAA Division I schools. But he instead chose to try his chances as a walk-on for the Sooners.

He saw mostly special-teams action in nine games as a freshman in 2011. The following season, he played in 12 games, making his first career start against Texas, and was voted as the team’s most inspirational walk-on. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops put Ripkowski on scholarship after that.

Last year, he was thrust into a prominent role when the Sooners’ standout fullback, Trey Millard, went down with a season-ending injury. He made seven starts and caught his first touchdown pass, a 3-yarder in a win over Iowa State. He caught a 5-yard pass against Tulsa this season, only the second time he’s touched the football as a Sooner.

“I look at it this way,” Ripkowski said. “Whatever they say my niche is, whatever my job is, that’s what I do, 100 percent. It’s not about getting glory or not about wanting this or wanting that. It’s what’s best for the team.

“Obviously, everybody wants the ball here or there, but to me it doesn’t matter. Whatever helps the team, that’s what I’m here for.”

Ripkowski’s teammates and coaches routine praise his physicality, so much so that Ross joked that Ripkowski would be a perfect fit for the History Channel television show “Vikings.” Bell added that if Ripkowski “could grow his hair out long, he’s got the big beard. He’d be perfect for that show.”

Ripkowski isn’t quite sure what to make of that.

“I think that’s an absurd statement,” Ripkowski said, “but I like it.

“I’ve been told I bring some physicality to the team and I guess some leverage with my blocking helps,” he said. “You know, I’m kind of like a short offensive lineman, so that helps me get under other guys, defensive ends and stuff that other people couldn’t get underneath.”

Ripkowski has blocked well enough to help the Sooners, who will play at No. 25 TCU on Saturday, to rank second in the Big 12 in rushing offense (222.8 yards per game) and scoring offense (44.8 points per game). He’s also been a huge asset in working with the Sooners’ younger players, co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said.

“The big thing about our older players is they play fast, they play aggressively and they play with confidence,” Norvell said. “. That’s one thing Rip does. Rip is going to try to take a guy out every time he’s on the field. He plays with such authority and that’s the thing we’re trying to get the young players to do.”

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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