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Searching for QB, Miami still has optimism

By WTOP Staff

TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Miami coach Al Golden’s voice was raspy and barely audible after a recent practice, and even that couldn’t stop him from running down a list of everything that’s gotten better for the Hurricanes.

There’s a new turf field for workouts, one of many recent training and facility upgrades. His team is stronger than in recent years, another big plus. Most importantly, Golden’s fourth season at Miami is already different than any of his first three — since the NCAA probe revolving around the actions of a former booster is finally a thing of the past.

“We’re back to talking about who we are and not defending who we aren’t,” Golden said. “It’s just different.”

Maybe the team’s fortunes will be different this season as well.

With star running back Duke Johnson healthy again after his 2013 season ended early because of a broken ankle, and plenty of playmakers on both sides of the football, the Hurricanes are expected to be in the mix for the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division title. But there is a major question still to be answered, that being who will be the starting quarterback when the season begins at Louisville on Sept. 1.

Ryan Williams would have been the presumed starter but is still recovering from a torn knee ligament, though is expected back at some point this season. Transfer Jake Heaps and true freshman Brad Kaaya seem like the top contenders for the job, and neither has thrown a pass at Miami. The Hurricanes aren’t likely to name a starter until at least the week of Aug. 18.

“I think both of those guys have got in a groove and have got in a little bit of a zone right now,” offensive coordinator James Coley said of Heaps and Kaaya. “Those guys are competing extremely hard against each other.”

The winner of the quarterback job will get plenty of help from Johnson, not to mention a talented crop of receivers.

“You can’t judge the team’s heart,” Johnson said. “You can’t judge the dedication and their hard work. You can look at us from the outside and say, ‘Yeah, they lost their quarterback and some key components on the offensive line,’ but you can’t see how we’re working every day.”

___

Here’s five things to watch about Miami this season:

SCHEDULE: No favors for the Hurricanes here. Miami’s 2013 season ended with a one-sided loss to Louisville in the Russell Athletic Bowl, and the Hurricanes open this season as the Cardinals’ opponent for their ACC debut. The Hurricanes also visit Nebraska and Virginia Tech, and will get defending national champion Florida State at home in November.

DUKE’S TOUCHES: The Hurricanes were leery about giving Johnson too many touches in each of the last two seasons, trying to preserve him. It doesn’t appear like that will be in the plans this fall. Johnson has made it clear that he wants the ball as much as he can, and is welcoming the challenge of seeing plenty of eight-man defensive fronts — which will likely be the norm until Miami’s passing game proves itself.

QUARTERBACK WHO: The graduation of Stephen Morris left an obvious glaring hole, and the ACL injury that Williams has dealt with since spring ball didn’t help matters. Williams has been practicing and his rehab seems ahead of schedule, but Heaps — who is playing for his third school — and Kaaya have been getting much of the first-string reps in camp.

DEFENSE CONCERNS: The Hurricanes’ defense has been on the field an average of 34 minutes per game over the last two seasons, the second-highest total among all major college teams. It’s absolutely vital that Miami get better on third downs, and that the gains made last year when the Hurricanes started embracing more of a 3-4 set carry over into this season. Or else, the same problems that plagued Miami in 2012 and 2013 will return, quickly.

DEEP BALL: Miami had 10 receivers with catches of 25 or more yards last season. If defenses are going to be kept honest and not able to stack the box against Johnson, finding a way to keep the deep ball in the repertoire would seem crucial.

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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