[washingtonismoney]

From the article,
"The football program stands well ahead of schedule for a new university admissions policy mandating that at least 80% of incoming recruits hold a 3.0 GPA — 77% of recruits during the past two classes topped that mark."

Unless there is something wrong with my math, 77% is not well ahead of 80% - though indeed they appear close.

Not to dispute your overall point, but "well ahead" refers not to the benchmark, but the schedule for achieving it. (Then again, the reporter doesn't reveal the schedule, so the reader has to take his word for it.)

[washingtonismoney]

From the article,
"The football program stands well ahead of schedule for a new university admissions policy mandating that at least 80% of incoming recruits hold a 3.0 GPA — 77% of recruits during the past two classes topped that mark."

Unless there is something wrong with my math, 77% is not well ahead of 80% - though indeed they appear close.

Not to dispute your overall point, but "well ahead" refers not to the benchmark, but the schedule for achieving it. (Then again, the reporter doesn't reveal the schedule, so the reader has to take his word for it.)