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Penn St tailback Belton expects bigger run game

By WTOP Staff

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State tailback Bill Belton believes the Nittany Lions will achieve a balanced offensive.

The current numbers — 1,082 yards passing to just 227 rushing — are a bit skewed, and the young Penn State offensive line has been criticized despite winning its first three games.

With just one returning starter up front, the running game has been grounded and quarterback Christian Hackenberg has faced considerable pressure in passing situations.

On Saturday, the Nittany Lions will play Massachusetts and a defense that’s yielded nearly 220 rushing yards per game. Belton, who rushed for 803 yards last season but has just 88 yards on 34 carries this year, remains confident.

“We’re going to get it right,” he said. “The line is getting better each day, working each day. By the time this thing’s over, we’re going to be back on track in the running game.”

The Nittany Lions have gone airborne, with Hackenberg going 79 of 127 for 1,082 yards. He’s throwing deep to Geno Lewis and DaeSean Hamilton, across the middle to tight ends and quick dump-offs to running backs. Belton has caught nine passes for 114 yards and one score.

“We have a good quarterback in Hack, and having that short passing game is an extension of the running game,” Belton said. “When we do that we’re moving the ball, and if need to move the ball we’ll do that.”

The senior running back is playing for his third coaching staff in his five years at Penn State. He’s taken direct snaps in the Wildcat offense, and he’s worked closely with running backs coach Charles Huff on improving his pass-blocking skills.

“Of course, whatever the coaches ask me to do, we’re fine with that as a running back group,” Belton said. “Coach Huff tells us to be the best player for the offense. Which means, whatever we’re asked to do, to be best at what we’re doing — whether it’s blocking, receiving out of the backfield or even running the ball.”

Running with more consistency is what Belton and running mates Zach Zwinak and Akeel Lynch have in mind.

“We’re just continuing to work out the kinks,” Belton said. “It’s going to take a little bit to get that chemistry down and get comfortable with playing with each other. I think that we’re very, very close to getting the running game going.

“I don’t think we’re that far at all. The breakout game, it’ll come. It’ll come as long as we stay patient with the running game.”

Boston College, Colorado and Vanderbilt have combined for 654 rushing yards in victories over UMass this season.

“They run a bunch of funky looks up front and that confuses a lot of people,” Belton said. “We’ll just stick to our roles and we’ll be in good shape, but they are a very confusing defense.”

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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