The Saints are mourning the death of former defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell. He was 78 and helped develop the great line backing group of the 1980’s and 90’s known as the Dome Patrol, with Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Sam Mills, and Vaughn Johnson. The coordinator was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2004.

The Saints defense has been led by Coach Dennis Allen since linebacker Demario Davis arrived in New Orleans in 2018. Allen was the defensive coordinator for the team until last year when he became the head coach, and Davis says the defense’s success starts with Allen.

Cut 20 (13) “…game situation.”

Last year the Saints defense was 5th in yards allowed and in sacks, and will once again be led by Davis. The Saints third and final preseason game is this Sunday at 7 p.m. against the Texans and their first regular season game is on Sept. 10 against the Titans.

The wait is almost over for Louisiana Tech football to take the field for their first game of 2023 season. La Tech takes on Conference USA rival Florida International tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Ruston. Last year’s La Tech offense finished middle of the road in the Conference USA in total yards, and second year coach Sonny Cumbie says how graduate transfer quarterback Hank Bachmeier and him have been able to stay on the same page to put them over the top.

Cut 17 (18) “…comfort with it.”

Off the football field, La Tech was set to unveil the A-L Williams Champions Plaza tonight, but the schools says of the six statues has not made it to Ruston.

The Ragin Cajun athletic programs have agreed to contract extensions with their men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin and softball coach Gerry Glasco. Both coaches led their teams to Sun Belt tournament championships in 2022.