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Out of the box: No. 19 Badgers looks to spring run

By WTOP Staff

GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — It was back to basics during the bye week for the Wisconsin offensive line.

The 19th-ranked Badgers are determined to get their running game back on track — regardless of whether opposing defenses decide to crowd the box.

“We have to come out, do better, open up holes for Melvin,” said right tackle Rob Havenstein, referring to star tailback Melvin Gordon. “Just give him a little bit and he’s going to break out for a lot of yards.”

Easier said than done two weekends ago. Wisconsin walloped Western Illinois 37-3, but the running game hit a speed bump.

Gordon had just 38 yards on 17 carries. The big, tough Wisconsin offensive line had to contend with a lower-division school focused on shutting down the run.

They are determined to improve this weekend against Bowling Green. Practice time during the bye week was focused on the “fundamentals of offensive line,” Havenstein said. “Getting a knock back, getting your steps in … just a lot of techniques we have.”

Havenstein said: “We had a poor performance. You know we look at ourselves, and where we need to get better.”

Facing a defense focused on stopping the run is not a huge surprise for Wisconsin, especially since the Badgers (1-1) are working in a first-year starting quarterback in Tanner McEvoy, along with inexperienced receivers.

Still, this is Wisconsin, the home of collegiate tailback luminaries Ron Dayne and Montee Ball. It’s a school that in recent years has featured not just one, but typically two 1,000-yard threats in the backfield.

Last year, Gordon was joined by James White — a fourth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots — in the backfield. This year, Gordon has Corey Clement as his running mate.

“You’re just told to run, not think of who’s in the box. That’s all you can do,” Clement said. “You can’t really scheme once you’re in the backfield. Just get what you can get. If the home run comes, it will come.”

Clement talked of patience in the backfield and waiting for a hole to develop. Even against a base defense, an offense is at a slight disadvantage since a quarterback usually doesn’t block.

“But we’re not going to back down from anything. If you want to put nine in the box, we’ll still give it our best,” he said.

It’s a task made more difficult with injuries to junior fullbacks Derek Watt and Derek Straus. Watt, especially, has been singled out by coach Gary Andersen as a blocker in the backfield and at tight end.

Redshirt freshman Austin Ramesh must fill in when a fullback is needed. Wisconsin is also down to two healthy scholarship running backs in Gordon and Clement with freshman Taiwan Deal out for about a month with a hand injury.

The Badgers have already decided to redshirt another freshman tailback, Caleb Kinlaw. For now, Dare Ogunbowale, a third-year sophomore, has been moved to running back from cornerback.

The most promising development for the running game might have come through the air against Western Illinois. McEvoy led the Badgers to victory by throwing for three touchdowns and running for another.

If McEvoy can improve each week through the air, that could give defenses more second thoughts about crowding the line with extra defenders to stop the run.

“We want to run the ball better. That’s all of us,” Andersen said. “That’s everybody involved in the run game, including myself.”

___

Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP

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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