Skip to main content

Landisch making big plays for No. 17 Badgers’ D

By WTOP Staff

GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Derek Landisch is developing a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Wisconsin has another playmaker emerging at linebacker with Big Ten play on the horizon.

The in-state product has turned into a key piece on a defense that has provided a steady presence for the Badgers while the offense finds its way.

“I wouldn’t say there’s more pressure,” Landisch said when asked about how the team’s slow starts on offense affects the defense. “We just have to focus on what we’re doing. … Sometimes the offense is going to pick us up. Sometimes we’re going to pick the offense up.”

Lately, it’s been the defense that has held its ground while the offense catches up. Wisconsin hopes for a faster start in its conference opener Saturday at Northwestern.

The Badgers (3-1) moved up two spots to No. 17 in the AP Top 25 poll released Sunday, a day after a 27-10 victory over South Florida. The offense struggled in the first half before scoring touchdowns on the first two drives in the third quarter of a game tied at 3 at halftime.

Star running back Melvin Gordon rushed for 181 yards and those two scores. The offense listened when Gordon and right tackle Rob Havenstein implored teammates in the locker room at the half to play better.

There didn’t seem to be the same level of motivational talk on the defensive side — not that it was needed. The Badgers gave up a few big plays, but they did hold the Bulls to just a field goal in the first half.

Landisch helped lead the way.

When South Florida quarterback Mike White was whistled for intentional grounding, Landisch got credit for the sack after applying the pressure in the backfield.

When a pass bounced off a South Florida receiver, there was Landisch close by to snare the ball out of the air for an interception.

“Yeah, I’m not the most athletic guy, not the prototypical size. That’s why I have to study hard and use the teammates that I play around to my advantage,” the 6-foot senior said.

Coach Gary Andersen views Landisch’s role a little differently.

“He becomes stronger and stronger. His presence is felt on the field, his presence is felt in the locker room more every single day and every single week, and you can see it on Tuesday just as well as you can see it on Saturday,” Andersen said.

Two weeks ago, Landisch had two sacks in a 68-17 victory over Bowling Green. He’s making the type of impact that star linebacker Chris Borland used to make every week for the Badgers.

Landisch downplays such comparisons. He said that no one player can replace Borland, a Wisconsin great who is now a rookie with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

To Andersen at least, Landisch is a role model for the younger Badgers.

“And there (are) some of those kids that are out there playing right now that need to continually learn how to prepare consistently,” Andersen said, “and they should follow Derek Landisch.”

___

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote