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Byron Marshall shows versatility with No. 3 Ducks

By WTOP Staff

ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Oregon running back Byron Marshall has picked up where De’Anthony Thomas left off.

The speedy Marshall showed a new dimension in the No. 3 Ducks’ opener, leading the team with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

His expanded responsibilities in Oregon’s hyperdrive offense are reminiscent of Thomas, who was a versatile threat for the Ducks before going to the NFL.

“He has great hands. We had to find ways to get that guy on the field,” quarterback Marcus Mariota said about Marshall. “He’s done a great job. He’s still learning out there.”

Marshall, and the rest of the Ducks’ offense, will face a considerable challenge Saturday when Oregon hosts No. 7 Michigan State in one of the more anticipated nonconference games of the season.

The defending Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion Spartans are known for their stalwart defense, which was ranked fourth in the nation last season, allowing opponents an average of just over 274 yards of offense per game.

Marshall, the Pac-12’s top returning rusher, has embraced his new role.

“He has done a great job on being able to make the most of his opportunity,” Mariota said. “He has done a great job trying to learn as much as he can and be a key for us out there. We are very fortunate to have him.”

Marshall enjoys veteran status among Oregon’s group of running backs, joining sophomore Thomas Tyner and true freshman Royce Freeman.

The trio has been dubbed the “three-headed monster” after accounting for 412 yards of offense and four touchdowns in Oregon’s 62-13 victory over South Dakota on Saturday.

The Ducks even used all of them all at once, with Marshall in the slot.

“All of three of our backs have exceptional hands, and it gives us the ability to use them in different ways,” Ducks offensive coordinator Scott Frost said this week.

In addition to his receiving numbers, Marshall led the team with 90 yards rushing on eight carries. Tyner had 64 yards on 11 carries, while Freeman ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.

“We never know specifically how many carries we’re going to get before the game starts, and that’s not really for us to worry about,” Marshall said. “We just go out there, wait for our number to get called, and go play.”

Thomas showed similar versatility with the Ducks, thriving in the offense devised by former Ducks coach Chip Kelly.

Thomas ran for nearly 2,000 yards and caught more than 1,200 yards worth of passes during his three-year career, despite missing time his junior season with an ankle injury. He also led the nation in yards per carry as a sophomore and played a big role for the Ducks on punt returns.

Thomas was taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Marshall admits he’s still growing into the expanded role, as evidenced by a mental error last week against the Coyotes. Midway through the second quarter, Marshall’s 54-yard dash for the end zone ended with a fumble at the goal line for a touchback.

South Dakota couldn’t capitalize, however, and fumbled after getting the ball, leading to Mariota’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Marshall.

“Huge mental mistake,” Marshall said about the touchback. “I’ve never made a dumber play in my life. … It happens, no one’s perfect. But a mistake like that could be costly in a different game, and I’ve got to be better than that.”

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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