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Wildcats aim to build off momentum of last year

By WTOP Staff

DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The cliche runs off the tongue of quarterback Jake Waters, one that is used in everyday life by millions of people but perhaps most accurately reflects that situation at Kansas State.

“What a difference a year makes,” he said.

Indeed, a year ago Waters was the junior college transfer in a heated battle with Daniel Sam to win the starting job. The Wildcats were replacing nine starters on defense. And after a loss to lower-division North Dakota State in their opener, expectations were hitting a nadir.

Now, a full 12 months later, Waters is firmly entrenched as the starter with Sams having transferred to McNeese State. The defense returns a bevy of talent led by All-Big 12 defensive end Ryan Mueller. And after winning six of their final seven games, including a blowout of Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, expectations are once against soaring.

“We learned a lot last season,” wide receiver Tyler Lockett said. “You can’t take anything for granted. If you want it, you have to come out there and get it.”

The Wildcats certainly did that during the strangest of seasons.

After beating only Louisiana-Lafayette and UMass in their first six games, people had begun to question whether longtime coach Bill Snyder still had it. Waters and Sams were alternating just about every series, and there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to anything they were doing.

Then came a blowout of West Virginia. And another of Iowa State. And the next thing anybody knew, the Wildcats were looking back on a season in which their only loss after Oct. 12 came at the hands of Oklahoma, which went on to finish 11-2 and win the Sugar Bowl.

One thing is for certain: The Wildcats better get off to a quick start.

After opening the season Aug. 30 against Stephen F. Austin, they turn around and open Big 12 play at Iowa State. Week 3 brings a Thursday night showdown against Auburn, arguably one of the most intriguing nonconference games of the college football season.

As the start of the season draws near, here are five things to know.

RUNNING BACK WIDE OPEN: After the loss of three-year starter John Hubert, the race is on for the starting job. DeMarcus Robinson appears to be first in line, but Jarvis Leverett Jr., Charles Jones and freshman Dalvin Warmack will all get a shot. “All three of us can easily fill Hubert’s shoes,” Leverett said. “It’s just a matter of going out and applying what we know.”

DEFENSIVE BACK, TOO: The Wildcats have a couple veterans in safety Dante Barnett and cornerback Randall Evans, but free safety and the other cornerback spot are up for grabs. “We’ve got some guys that have been in the program but they haven’t been starters before,” defensive coordinator Tom Hays said. “We have to get them to where they don’t lose a step.”

LOCKETT HOLDS KEYS: Lockett proved to be one of college football’s most dynamic playmakers last season. Not only was he Waters’ most dependable target, he also was a dangerous punt and kick returner. Expect all eyes to be on him from the first week of the season.

MUELLER, TOO: The fifth-year senior walked onto the program as an undersized linebacker and has grown into one of the nation’s top pass rushers. He led the Big 12 with 18 1/2 tackles for loss and set a school record with 11 ½ sacks last season.

FAVORABLE SCHEDULE: Sure, the Wildcats jump right into Big 12 play, and there’s a major nonconference showdown looming Sept. 18. But the rest of the schedule shapes up nicely. Kansas State gets a week off before facing Oklahoma and doesn’t play Baylor until Dec. 6. “

“The Michigan game gave us a great springboard into the offseason conditioning and realizing the potential of this team,” Mueller said. “They sky’s the limit, obviously, and we’ve taken that approach into our summer workouts. And now we’ll take that approach into the season.

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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