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Colts seize control of AFC South as Irsay returns

By WTOP Staff

MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Things are starting to look familiar in Indianapolis.

Andrew Luck is throwing touchdowns, the defense continues to improve, team owner Jim Irsay is back inside the team complex — and back on Twitter — and the Colts are atop the AFC South.

It’s a perfect start to a long weekend.

“We’ve got 10 days off until we play again. We’re going to have a chance to get some guys back,” coach Chuck Pagano said Friday. “It’s an opportunity to take another look at ourselves from a self-scout standpoint, kind of assess where we’re at and how we can get better in all three phases.”

A month ago, an uncharacteristically chaotic start put the Colts’ plans in peril.

Robert Mathis, the 2013 NFL sacks champion, was suspended for the first four games because he violated the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy and will miss the rest of the season after tearing his left Achilles tendon during a private workout while he was away from the team. Irsay was suspended six games and banned from social media by Commissioner Roger Goodell after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated. Indy then started the season by losing back-to-back games for the first time in Pagano’s three-year tenure.

Since then, Indy has reverted more to the norm.

Luck followed the longest losing streak of his pro career by matching a career best with four straight wins. He not only leads the league with 17 TD passes, but he also has completed a career-high 66.2 percent of his throws and is on pace to become the first Colts’ quarterback to top 5,000 yards. Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton are ranked among the NFL’s receiving leaders, and Indy (4-2) has topped the 30-point mark three times in its last four games.

The latest victory, 33-28 over the Texans, also allowed the Colts to seize control of the division. They now lead Houston (3-3) by one game and are 3-0 against division foes, with two of those wins coming on the road.

“I think we have a lot of backbone on this team and that’s been Coach Pagano’s ethos since I’ve been with the Colts,” Luck said Thursday night after the win.

After the break, the Colts could get even better. They’ve relied on a mishmash of interior offensive linemen to survive the last three weeks. Now they’re hoping the extra rest will allow starting guards Jack Mewhort (ankle) and Hugh Thornton (back) to return Oct. 19 against Cincinnati.

Inside the team complex, the return of Irsay was welcomed, too.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk face-to-face yet, a couple of texts here and there,” Pagano said. “Obviously, it’s great to know that he (Irsay) is going to be back full-time with us in the building and all that stuff. I know he’s extremely excited about where we’re at, the big win obviously yesterday and all that stuff.”

Irsay had never missed a game as team owner and was eager to get back in the mix Friday. While he wasn’t available for interviews Friday afternoon, he did break his silence on Twitter with one of his trademark contests.

“Oh hell, let’s just give away some stuff to the best sports fans in the world,Colts Fans!” Irsay wrote in announcing the contest. “Good Luck and I mean Luck because 4 in a row and 1st place is sweet!”

Colts fans, meanwhile, couldn’t ask for much more.

The offense is clicking on all cylinders, the defense and kick coverage continue to get better, and Indianapolis has reclaimed its spot as the AFC South leader.

“We’re No. 1 right now in the AFC South and that was the plan coming in to this game,” running back Ahmad Bradshaw said. “Just take advantage of this opportunity and run with it.”

___

Online:

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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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