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Michigan stops skid with 18-13 win over Penn State

By WTOP Staff

NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Matt Wile kicked a 37-yard field goal with 11:24 remaining, and Michigan’s defense stifled Penn State in the second half as the Wolverines held on for an 18-13 victory Saturday night, snapping their three-game losing streak.

Devin Gardner returned from a second-half injury and threw a 24-yard pass to Dennis Norfleet to set up Wile’s tiebreaking kick, but it was the defense that lifted Michigan (3-4, 1-2 Big Ten) in the second half. Penn State (4-2, 1-2) led 13-10 when Christian Hackenberg’s ill-advised pass was intercepted. That turnover set up a tying field goal in the third quarter, and the Wolverines took advantage of good field position again early in the fourth, when Wile’s final field goal broke a 13-all tie.

Gardner threw for 192 yards and a touchdown. He was helped off the field in the third quarter with an apparent left leg injury but was able to return.

It’s been an ugly start to the season for Michigan, and coach Brady Hoke’s future is very much in question, but the defense has played well at times, and Saturday was no exception. Penn State’s only touchdown came in the second quarter — with a short field after Gardner threw an interception.

The Wolverines trailed 13-7 at halftime but slowly rallied behind Wile’s three field goals. They still trailed by three when Gardner had to be replaced by Russell Bellomy.

But it was around then that Hackenberg, under pressure all night, made his biggest mistake, forcing a pass that was picked off by Jourdan Lewis at the Penn State 32.

Wile’s 42-yard field goal tied it.

The Nittany Lions spent much of the second half deep in their own territory, and after a punt gave Michigan the ball at the Penn State 49 early in the fourth, Gardner came back in the game and found Norfleet for the play that put the Wolverines in field goal range.

It was hard to predict what kind of crowd would show up at Michigan Stadium in light of the team’s struggles over the last month, but there was a loud “Let’s Go Blue” chant late in the fourth quarter.

A sack by Frank Clark left Penn State facing fourth-and-32 at its own 3. The Nittany Lions intentionally snapped the ball out of the end zone for a safety with 1:41 remaining. They then recovered an onside kick, but an offside penalty forced Penn State to try it again, and after Michigan recovered, the crowd of 113,085 could finally celebrate the win.

Michigan has won its only three night games at the Big House. The Wolverines beat Notre Dame in 2011 and 2013.

Michigan’s lone touchdown Saturday came on a 43-yard pass from Gardner to Devin Funchess in the first quarter. Safety Ryan Keiser looked like he was in position to intercept the deep throw, but Funchess beat him to the ball with an athletic play to give the Wolverines a 7-3 lead.

It was 7-6 when Gardner tried to lob the ball out into the flat. Defensive lineman Anthony Zettel timed the play perfectly, intercepting the pass to give Penn State the ball at the Michigan 28.

Hackenberg threw a 10-yard scoring pass to DaeSean Hamilton.

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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