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Franklin using versatility to fix depth issues

By WTOP Staff

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Training players to compete at multiple positions is how new Penn State coach James Franklin plans to combat a team depth chart that’s not all that deep.

Particularly thin on an offensive line that will be charged to keep sophomore star quarterback Christian Hackenberg upright as well as create space for veteran running backs Zach Zwinak, Bill Belton and Akeel Lynch, Franklin gets to test his philosophy in Ireland on Saturday where Penn State is set to face Central Florida.

Penn State remains 10 scholarships shy of the NCAA limit of 85 because of sanctions imposed after the Jerry Sandusky scandal in November 2011.

“We have to train guys for multiple positions and that’s going to allow you to get your best 11 guys on the field,” Franklin said Tuesday. “It’s something that we’re going to have to do and we’re going to have to embrace it until we’re in a situation where we have similar depth as other people in the country and get some of our scholarships back.

Only left tackle Donovan Smith and center Angelo Mangiro have playing experience, and Smith’s playing time far exceeded that of Mangiro’s last season. Projected starters Andrew Nelson (right tackle), Brian Gaia (right guard) and either Derek Dowrey or Brendan Mahon at left guard are untested.

“On the O-line we have to train those guys and at wide receiver and all the positions,” Franklin said. “It’s probably how we’ll call the game.

“At wide receiver, our tight ends have more depth and more experience so you’ll probably see more tight ends on the field. We rotate those guys typically the way we do in practice.

“The way we do it, you may have a guy taking some reps with the 1’s and the 2’s or a guy taking some reps with the 2’s and the 3’s and vice-versa. The closer we get to game time, we really want to have those things solidified, but we’re really going to have to keep working it all year long,” he said.

Franklin believes offensive coordinator John Donovan and offensive line coach Herb Hand “have done the best with the situation that we’re in,” and feels comfortable with it.

He maintains that the best players will play against UCF on Saturday and on into the Nittany Lions’ Big Ten schedule that begins Sept. 13 at Rutgers.

“If you have a strength, you need to find ways to get those guys on the field,” he said. “It’s like people who run a 4-3. Well, if your four linebackers are better than you defensive linemen, then maybe you ought to play a 3-4.

“We want to keep our guys fresh in the fourth quarter and that also pays dividends late in the season. We want to keep our guys fresh and as healthy as we possibly can.”

The trip to Ireland was arranged between Bill O’Brien, who left Penn State after two seasons to be head coach of the NFL’s Houston Texans, and Central Florida coach George O’Leary. The idea for Penn State, O’Brien said last year, was to create in Dublin the feel of a bowl game, something in which Penn State cannot compete until after the 2016 regular season because of NCAA sanctions.

“This is not going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Franklin said.

“For us, this is a business trip to go and play in a football game. We work really hard to make sure all of our players graduate with a meaningful degree from Penn State so they can work to go back (to Ireland) at some point with their family or their friends to enjoy the countryside.

“But this trip is not a trip to enjoy the countryside. We’re going to play a football game. There will be some activities but very little of that.

“In football, you get 12 to 14 opportunities and you better make every single one of them special,” Franklin said.

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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