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Gurley ready for big season _ if he stays healthy

By WTOP Staff

PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — For Todd Gurley, the key to avoiding another injury marred season is simple.

“Just run harder,” he said, chuckling.

Georgia’s dynamic running back will be on display in one of the key games of college football’s opening weekend, leading the No. 12 Bulldogs against 16th-ranked Clemson.

A year ago, the Tigers started the season by beating Georgia 38-35 in a matchup of Top 10 teams. Gurley ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns, but knows it could have been so much more.

In the middle of a 75-yard touchdown run on his second touch of the game, he pulled his quadriceps trying to avoid a tackler. He wound up carrying the ball only 12 times.

“I couldn’t really lift my leg up like I wanted to,” Gurley recalled. “I’m known for breaking tackles, but I definitely couldn’t do that like I wanted to.”

Assuming Gurley has fully recovered, Clemson will have its hands full trying to stop Georgia’s running game. The Bulldogs have a backup (Keith Marshall) who could start at plenty of schools, and a couple of touted freshmen (Sony Michel and Nick Chubb) who might get some playing time right away.

Gurley is the main concern.

“He’s a beast,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “The combination that he has, just the size, the speed, the strength. I perceive him to be a great worker. He seems that way. He’s got a big motor to him and he’s just unique from a total package standpoint.”

After rushing for 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman, drawing comparisons to former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, Gurley played in only 10 games as a sophomore.

The quadriceps injury was only the start of his problems. Gurley sprained an ankle against LSU, knocking him out of three games and limiting his effectiveness in others. He finished with 989 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.

“I just don’t want it to happen again,” he said.

Beyond Gurley, some things to watch for in this showdown between schools that are just 59 miles apart:

QUARTERBACK SHUFFLE: Senior Cole Stoudt is the new starting quarterback at Clemson, but keep an eye on Deshaun Watson. The touted freshman is a dual threat, setting Georgia state high school records with 17,134 yards and 218 touchdowns passing and rushing. He’s expected to get some playing time in the opener, and Clemson fans will surely be calling for more if Watson plays well against the Bulldogs.

DEFENSIVE GEORGIA: The Bulldogs have a new defensive coordinator, luring Jeremy Pruitt from national champion Florida State. Pruitt pushed the guys up front to lose weight and get quicker, but the success of this unit will likely depend on the revamped secondary. Two starters were kicked off the team, and another decided to transfer. Cornerback Damian Swann is the only returning starter for a group that could include two freshmen. Head coach Mark Richt said of Pruitt, “He’s driven to have a great defense. Over time, I think he’ll do a phenomenal job.”

BEASLEY THE BEAST: Clemson’s Vic Beasley is one of the country’s best defensive ends, topping the Atlantic Coast Conference with 13 sacks a year ago. Fortunately for the Tigers, he decided to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft. The Bulldogs know that Beasley will require extra attention from the offensive line. “Whoever lines up against Beasley has got his hands full,” Richt said, “and is probably going to need some help.”

STARTING TIME: Georgia fifth-year senior Hutson Mason is heading into his lone season as the starting quarterback after serving as Aaron Murray’s understudy the last four years. Mason started the final two games of 2013 (Murray was injured) and the Bulldogs don’t expect much of a drop-off. “It feels to a certain degree like we’ve got a veteran starter back with us,” Richt said. “Usually when you have a new quarterback, you’re wondering what they can comprehend, how they’ll handle being the starter. Some of those questions have already been answered with him. I don’t think a whole lot about it.”

AILING RECEIVERS: Georgia will be without two of its top receivers. Malcolm Mitchell sustained another knee injury while working out just before the start of preseason practice, while Justin Scott-Wesley is sitting out after being charged with marijuana possession. Scott-Wesley is coming back from a knee injury and there was speculation he wouldn’t have been ready to go anyway.

___

Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

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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