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Panthers open camp with plenty of questions

By WTOP Staff

WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — No concerns about calming the nerves of a roster rattled by constant change. No hand-wringing over a new conference.

For the first time in Paul Chryst’s three years at Pittsburgh, the coach can focus on “important stuff.”

Like finding a starting quarterback, for example. And while all indications are redshirt sophomore Chad Voytik is the early favorite to be under center when the Panthers open the 2014 season on Aug. 30 against Delaware, Chryst isn’t quite ready to name a winner in Voytik’s QB race with junior Trey Anderson.

“I think it’s unfair to put that on guys right now,” Chryst said Monday after Pitt’s opening practice of fall camp. “Right now I think it’s more about Chad and Trey getting back into it.”

Maybe, but Voytik sounds like someone who expects to be in the huddle for that first series against the Blue Hens.

Asked if he feels like it’s “his” offense after spending two years watching Tino Sunseri, then Tom Savage take most of the snaps, Voytik nods his head.

“I feel like I’m evolving into that role,” he said.

Voytik provided what he hopes is a sneak preview last December, when Savage didn’t come out for the second half of the Pizza Bowl against Bowling Green. Thrust into the most extensive playing time of his brief career, Voytik ran for a touchdown and calmly guided the Panthers to the winning field goal with 1:17 to play in a 30-27 victory that pushed Pitt’s final record to a respectable 7-6.

It was more than enough to convince budding star receiver Tyler Boyd that Voytik is up to the job that comes with being at the top of the depth chart.

“It told us he was ready,” Boyd said. “He wasn’t afraid to step up and wasn’t running from it. … I felt like he was waiting for that time and when his time came, he showed out.”

Generously listed at 6-foot-1 with quick feet that can help him work his way out of tough situations, Voytik isn’t unlike another Chryst-coached quarterback who thrived despite his lack of size. Of course, Voytik knows he’s got quite a bit of work to do to emulate former Wisconsin quarterback turned Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson.

“Russell is a special player, you can’t take that away from him,” Voytik said. “He listened to everything that Coach was saying and applied it and he really balled out and you see him now. He carried over those same concepts and stuff and he’s rolling with it.”

It will take quite some time before Voytik can say the same. Not that he’s ready to compare himself with Wilson anyway, even if he happens to wear the same number (16) Wilson adorned during his one season at Wisconsin.

To be honest, Voytik is mostly looking to prove he can play. He remembers being ignored by other big-time programs because he’s not the most physically imposing player.

“A lot of schools passed me up because of my height,” he said. “I think it definitely gives me an edge and it provides a chip.”

The 6-foot Anderson can say the same. He played in four games as a freshman in 2011 but has thrown all of two passes in the last two years. He redshirted in 2013 and now finds himself in danger of being lapped by Voytik.

There were no outward signs of an early favorite on Monday, though while a dozen reporters waited for Voytik, Anderson quietly made his way off the field largely unnoticed.

Voytik is comfortable if he’s considered the one to beat. What he lacks in size the dean’s list student feels he makes up for with intelligence and athleticism. Besides, he’s spent most of the last two seasons holding a clipboard, watching tape and trying to absorb as much of Chryst’s multi-dimensional offense as he can.

“I’ve learned under some good guys and got to see how they play the game,” he said. “I can put my own twist to it.”

Pressed on what his own twist will look like, and Voytik points to the lessons he learned from Sunseri and Savage.

“Don’t try to do too much,” he said. “Get the ball out of your hands and move the chains. Move the chains and eventually you’re going to score.”

___

Online: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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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