Skip to main content

Hundley wants fewer sacks; UCLA defense wants more

By WTOP Staff

DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA’s Brett Hundley has plenty in common with Oregon’s Marcus Mariota. Both quarterbacks possess dynamic dual-threat skill sets, and both could be top NFL draft picks and potential franchise cornerstones.

Hundley and Mariota have something else in common, something that may well decide the game between the No. 12 Ducks (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) and 18th-ranked Bruins (4-1, 1-1) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

They’ve both been sacked with extraordinary frequency in recent weeks. It’s a trend that Hundley wants to end and UCLA’s defense wants to continue.

“We have similar traits,” said Hundley, who spent time with Mariota at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana this summer. “He is a fast quarterback. He is very efficient in his offense. He can throw the ball around and run when he needs to.”

Both quarterbacks also have been under siege this season, with Hundley being sacked 10 times and Mariota taking five sacks in their last outings alone.

UCLA ranks 123rd out of 125 FBS teams in sacks allowed this season, while Oregon has given up 12 sacks in its first two Pac-12 Conference games.

That pressure is the best way to limit a talented quarterback, UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark said.

“You’ve got to get pressure on great quarterbacks, and Marcus Mariota is a great quarterback,” Clark said. “You can’t let him sit back there and throw the ball, because he is going to pick you apart.”

At least Mariota can point to myriad injuries on the offensive line as the main cause for his recent troubles. Missing its top three offensive tackles, Oregon started a freshman at left tackle and a former walk-on at right tackle in its 31-24 loss to Arizona.

Even with those personnel losses, Clark still sees a dangerous and capable opponent on film.

“They have some issues, but at the same time it is Oregon, an explosive offense, a great offense with the players to put 50 on the board,” Clark said.

Hundley’s issues are far more troubling and systemic. Over the last three seasons, Hundley has been sacked an FBS-worst 107 times in a spread offense that is supposed to protect the passer by getting the ball out quickly. Despite his abilities as a runner, Hundley often seems unsure of where to move in the pocket or when to take off and run.

On one fourth-quarter series in the 30-28 loss to Utah, Hundley took sacks on three consecutive plays. The Utes were able to capitalize on the favorable field position that resulted to get a crucial field goal.

UCLA coach Jim Mora said afterward that sacks can be attributed to all 11 players on the field, but Hundley singled himself out for blame on Monday.

“I take a lot of accountability for that,” Hundley said. “I can help get the ball out of my hands faster and move around and stuff like that.”

The Bruins also have to address their lack of a consistent pass rush, having dropped the opposing quarterback just seven times in five games. No one player was expected to replace outside linebacker Anthony Barr’s production, but the talent across the front seven was supposed to make up for his departure. However, they have failed to regularly collapse the pocket.

How UCLA responds on both sides of the line of scrimmage will determine how long its aspirations of reaching the inaugural College Football Playoff remain viable.

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

US says it struck a commercial ship trying to breach blockade and reach Iran

Congress has taken on Epstein. But lawmakers and survivors are still searching for accountability

Top federal prosecutor in Chicago denies investigation into E. Jean Carroll, disputing media reports