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Tennessee eager to snap 3-game losing streak

By WTOP Staff

STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s three-game losing streak has left the Volunteers hungry for victories.

Vols coach Butch Jones wants to make sure that attitude is apparent when his team takes the field Saturday against Football Championship Subdivision program Chattanooga.

“Everyone wants the prize, but no one wants the process,” Jones said. “We’re going through the process right now. What’s our overall appetite to win?”

Tennessee (2-3) can’t afford to slip up against Chattanooga (3-2) with a trip to No. 3 Ole Miss, a home game with No. 7 Alabama and a trip to South Carolina looming in the three weeks after this game. The Vols know they must improve their pass protection and rushing attack before entering that gauntlet. Tennessee ranks last in the Southeastern Conference in rushing and has allowed a league-high 18 sacks.

The Vols also must avoid dwelling on missed opportunities after blowing a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead in a 10-9 loss to Florida last week. They insist that won’t be an issue.

“Last year you’d see at times we’d kind of get down on ourselves because things didn’t go the way we wanted at times,” Tennessee cornerback Cam Sutton said. “This year, we’re very motivated. We’re an inspired team. We believe in each other, believe in everything this coaching staff is doing for us.”

This marks the 42nd meeting between Tennessee and Chattanooga, but it’s the first time they’ve faced each other since 1969. Tennessee leads the series 37-2-2, and Chattanooga’s lone victory at Neyland Stadium came in 1958.

Chattanooga, which is receiving $450,000 for making the trip, is ranked 12th in the FCS coaches’ poll and owns a three-game losing streak. In its only game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent this season, Chattanooga squandered a 16-0 lead in a 20-16 loss to Central Michigan.

“We’ve been waiting on this one for a while now,” Chattanooga offensive guard Corey Levin said. “I think any time you see a big SEC school on your schedule, you kind of gear up for it and can’t wait to get up there. We’re just happy we’re starting to have success now right before the game. Why not go up there and compete?”

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Here are some things to watch Saturday when Tennessee hosts Chattanooga.

HURT RUNNING BACKS: Chattanooga running back Keon Williams, who has a team-high 314 yards rushing, won’t play Saturday due to a hand injury that required surgery. Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd spent this week wearing a green jersey given to players who should have limited contact in practice, but he’s expected to play. Tennessee’s Marlin Lane also has been limited with an ankle injury this week.

TULL’S HOMECOMING: This game means plenty to Chattanooga defensive end and two-time Southern Conference defensive player of the year Davis Tull, a Knoxville native with 31 ½ career sacks. “It’s usually on the news when an FCS school upsets an FBS school,” Tull said. “Would it be incredible if we did it? Absolutely. We’re going up there to play a football game. We’re going up there to win. That is our goal. We’re not just going to lie down because they’re a division higher than us. Everyone has a shot to win. Everyone deserves that. With that being said, it’s going to be a huge challenge.”

VOLS’ RED-ZONE WOES: Tennessee’s offense is seeking to improve its red-zone performance after struggling in that area against Florida. Tennessee got inside Florida’s 20-yard line four times last week and ended up with three field goals and one interception.

GILLIAM’S POTENTIAL RETURN: Jones announced after Tennessee’s season opener that offensive tackle Jacob Gilliam had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and would miss the rest of the season, but the fifth-year senior hasn’t undergone surgery yet and started practicing again over the last couple of weeks. Jones indicated this week there’s a chance Gilliam could be available Saturday.

HANDLING HUESMAN: Tennessee’s biggest challenge on defense involves Chattanooga quarterback Jacob Huesman’s versatility. Huesman, the son of Mocs coach Russ Huesman, has rushed for 258 yards on 61 carries and also has thrown for 681 yards and eight touchdowns. He had four touchdown passes and two touchdown runs last week in a 55-6 blowout of VMI.

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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