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Oklahoma State hopes to reload

By WTOP Staff

CLIFF BRUNT
AP Sports Writer

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy is about to find out how far his program has come.

When Gundy took over in 2005, little was expected of the Cowboys, especially during rebuilding years. Now, the Cowboys are still considered dangerous by many experts, despite returning just six starters on offense and four on defense from a team that went 10-3 and lost in the Cotton Bowl.

Some of that optimism comes from Oklahoma State’s 59 wins since the start of the 2008 season — eighth most in the nation. Gundy believes his program might have turned the corner.

“These players expect to win and expect to play on a high level,” he said. “Confidence builds success, and success brings more success. Our players have been around and have been in the locker room and bowl games and what not. Some of the guys haven’t played at this level, but they were around teams that expected to win. I don’t think there’s any question that that helps.”

Oklahoma State should again be dangerous on offense. J.W. Walsh is the likely starting quarterback after starting five games last season and passing for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Running back Desmond Roland returns after scoring 16 touchdowns from scrimmage last season.

The Cowboys will learn quickly about their rebuilt defense — they open with defending national champion Florida State on Aug. 30 in Arlington, Texas.

Here are five things to look for from Oklahoma State this season.

MUSICAL QUARTERBACKS: Walsh should get most of the snaps, but Daxx Garman is expected to play and true freshman Mason Rudolph could play, too. Walsh is a dual threat while Garman and Rudolph are pro-style quarterbacks. Gundy says he’d rather use one quarterback, but all three are good players.

“Our quarterback situation this year is a little bit different than what it has been in the past,” Gundy said. “We vary our style of offense based on who’s in the game. We expect that player and that style to be involved enough to score points.”

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: The Cowboys take an inexperienced secondary into their matchup with Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. The Cowboys say there is talent, and some of the young players gained experience last season as backups. Kevin Peterson started last season opposite All-American Justin Gilbert and Ashton Lampkin was a key reserve. Sophomore Jordan Sterns and redshirt freshman Tre Flowers were the first-teamers at safety during the spring. Larry Stephens, a safety who missed most of last season, is back.

SPEEDSTER HILL: Tyreek Hill, the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, could be one of the league’s most exciting players. Gundy says he’s the fastest Oklahoma State player in at least 20 years.

Hill won the 200 meters at the conference indoor meet and placed second in the 60 meters. He will play running back and receiver and return kicks. At Garden City Community College in Kansas last season, he caught 32 passes for 532 yards and six touchdowns and had 101 carries for 659 yards and five scores.

“He’s got unbelievable talent,” receiver David Glidden said. “Everybody I talk to, they ask me about him and I say, ‘You’re just going to have to wait and see. It’s something you can’t really describe.”

RECEIVING CORPS: Oklahoma State lost top receivers Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore from last year’s team. Jhajuan Seales is the top returning pass catcher with 39 catches for 571 yards and three scores last season. Brandon Shepherd and Marcell Ateman have potential, and Hill could figure in significantly as a pass catcher. The Cowboys will need new players to step into primary roles this season.

FALLOUT FROM THE OPENER: If Oklahoma State somehow beats Florida State or plays well against the Seminoles, the foundation could be laid for a very good season. If the Cowboys are blown out, and that is a distinct possibility, a young team will need to mature quickly to bounce back.

___

Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

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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