Skip to main content

Arkansas RB trio evokes memories of school’s best

By WTOP Staff

KURT VOIGT
AP Sports Writer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Brandon Allen was in junior high when Arkansas’ greatest collection of backfield talent ran its way through the Southeastern Conference.

The Razorbacks quarterback and Fayetteville native remembers well the accolades earned in college by future NFL running backs Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis.

And Allen isn’t shying away from the potential he sees in Arkansas’ current backfield of Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins and Korliss Marshall to rival their predecessors’ accomplishments.

“They very well could,” Allen said.

For a team coming off a 3-9 season in its first year under coach Bret Bielema, the hope brought by Williams, Collins and Marshall — who combined to rush for 2,072 yards last season — is very real for the Razorbacks.

The three have also given Arkansas a clear identity leading into its second season under Bielema, a welcomed sense after the school’s first winless conference season since joining the SEC in 1992.

Bielema had standout running backs in his seven seasons at Wisconsin, highlighted by 2012 Doak Walker award winner Montee Ball. He also preferred a stable of ball carriers during his time with the Badgers, and this season’s returning group has provided him with a much higher comfort level than last year.

“I feel a lot better,” Bielema said. “For those of you that didn’t know, I like good running backs.”

The Razorbacks were third in the SEC last season with an average of 208.7 yards rushing per game, and they were led by Collins’ 1,026 yards. Collins also led Arkansas in attempts as a freshman, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, but he had plenty of help from Williams — who rushed for 900 yards while averaging 6 yards per carry.

As good as the duo was last season, even more is expected this year out of Collins as a sophomore and Williams as a junior. They are fine with that.

“We just kind of push each other, because we’re not satisfied just for being great,” Collins said. “We want to be the best; that’s what we strive for.”

What Collins provides in shiftiness as a runner, and Williams in power, Arkansas’ largely unknown member of its big three — Marshall — provides in flat-out explosiveness.

The sophomore didn’t receive nearly the recruiting hype as Collins and he split most of last season between safety and running back. When his opportunity came on offense, he literally ran with it. Marshall gained 586 all-purpose yards for Arkansas last season, largely in kickoff returns. However, he also averaged 8.6 yards per carry in limited action and was moved to full-time running back in the offseason.

“It’s really nice … to have three legitimate starters,” running backs coach Joel Thomas said. “The best thing right now that we have going for that room is competition, and it’s just making each other get better in everyday activities.”

Despite the abundance of talent at one position, the running backs all believe there will be plenty of carries to go around this season.

“If you’re not getting the ball, that means you’re not the hot guy and you don’t have too much to complain about if you’re not the hot guy,” Williams said.

They’ve also heard the comparisons to McFadden, Jones and Hillis, though Williams shies away from the hype. He’d prefer to first concentrate on returning the Razorbacks to a bowl game for the first time since 2011 and let the attention follow.

“They’re a unique group, and we’re trying to set our own trends, trying to have our own name,” Williams said. “But it’s definitely an honor being compared to them.”

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote