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No. 25 TCU Horned Frogs are still quite defensive

By WTOP Staff

STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Something is very familiar for No. 25 TCU, even with all those changes on offense.

The Horned Frogs are dominating on defense like they have so often under Gary Patterson, who was their demanding defensive coordinator before becoming head coach nearly 14 years ago.

“I think it’s the same old coach. He wants to be the best defense in the nation,” senior safety Sam Carter said Tuesday. “We get the same thing every day. … Nothing’s changed. He’s still intense, wants perfection.”

TCU (3-0), back in the rankings this week for the first time since early last season, is second nationally allowing only 219 total yards and seven points per game. Opponents are averaging only 2.1 yards per rush and have completed less than half of their passes against the Frogs.

While Patterson hired new co-offensive coordinators last offseason to install a spread scheme more like what was prevalent in the Big 12, there were no wholesale changes on the defensive side he still oversees. There have been some defensive adjustments for TCU since moving to the offensive-friendly Big 12 two years ago, but this year’s defense is a unit that has matured with experience.

“I like a coach who always challenges you,” senior defensive tackle Chucky Hunter. “Whenever you feel like you been settled or been satisfied, you haven’t satisfied yourself to the very top to be the best you can be.”

Hunter and Carter were among nine returning defensive starters from last season from a team that led the Big 12 in rushing defense (131 yards per game) and ranked second in total defense at 356 yards per game (24th nationally).

“I think we’re getting back in our groove,” Patterson said.

TCU is coming off a 56-0 win at SMU, which followed an opening stretch when the Frogs had a bye week after each of their first two games — including a 30-7 win over Minnesota, which last weekend won at Michigan. They play the first of consecutive top 10 opponents Saturday at home in their Big 12 opener against fourth-ranked Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12).

“The biggest thing defensively, when you can run and you can stay healthy, and one of the things having off, we were able to do that,” Patterson said. “Our kids are up to the challenge.”

Over the past 14 seasons, including Patterson’s last as defensive coordinator in 2000 before replacing former boss Dennis Franchione, TCU has finished as the national leader in total defense five times. The only team to lead in that category more since the NCAA started tracking statistics in 1937 is Alabama six times.

TCU is also one of only three teams to lead the nation in total defense three years in a row, from 2008-10.

In their first Big 12 season in 2012, the Frogs led the league allowing only 324 total yards a game, even with only one senior on the depth chart while facing five of the country’s top-13 ranked offenses.

After Oklahoma this weekend, TCU travels to seventh-ranked Baylor (4-0, 1-0) to face the nation’s top offense.

“Same, great defensively,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops immediately said this week when asked for a scouting report on the Frogs. “Very sound, disciplined defense that Gary’s had for such a long time there.”

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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