Author Archives: LRN News

07.26.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast July 26

31 current and former LSU athletes will compete for 20 different countries at the Paris Olympics kicking off today. Headlining the US team is world-champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. Richardson set an NCAA record for the 100 meter in her only season at LSU, becoming one of the 10 fastest women in history as a 19-year-old. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but was unable to compete after a failed drug-test. Lowe says there’s no doubt Richardson can bring home gold…

Cut 12 (11) “…100 meters.”

The Olympic opening ceremony begins at 12:30 today. Richardson’s preliminary 100m is set for early Friday August 2.

The US Women’s National Soccer Team are already off to a hot start in France with a 3-0 victory over Zambia in their first contest of the games. They’re tied atop their group with Germany who they’ll face Sunday at 2:00 P.M.

Saints training camp is underway in Irvine, California. New Orleans has missed the playoffs the last two seasons under Head Coach Dennis Allen. The front office brought in new Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak to hopefully spark some change in the franchise, but if nothing changes this season, Allen could find himself on the hot seat. Linebacker Demario Davis says he has confidence in his head coach…

Cut 17 (19) “…from a coach.”

The Saints first preseason action is August 10 against the Cardinals. Training camp at UC-Irvine is closed to the public, but the Saints will hold an open practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium August 20th with tickets going on sale July 30.

Undrafted rookie defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat will not have to undergo surgery after being carted off with a dislocated elbow at practice yesterday.

07.25.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast July 25

U-L Lafayette football coach Mike Desormeaux is hoping to improve from back-to-back 6-and-7 seasons in his third year as head coach. The Cajuns will enter preseason camp with a battle for starting quarterback between Ben Woolridge and Chandler Fields. Fields finished as the starter last year and Desormeaux says the former Rummel standout seems determined to have a great senior season…

Cut 16 (16) “…the year.” 

Former LSU star Angel Reese will join, Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 Women’s basketball league. The league was founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier with the goal of becoming the highest paying women’s sports league in history, paying each of its players a salary of at least $100,000. The six-team league tips off in January

The Saints began training camp yesterday as they prepare for the 2024 season. Linebacker Demario Davis has been an All-Pro and leader on one of the NFL’s top defenses since he arrived in New Orleans in 2017, but at 35-years-old some fans question how long he can be one of the league’s top defenders. Davis says humility has been key to his longevity…

Cut 20 (19) “…last year.”

Training camp at UC-Irvine is closed to the public this year, but the Saints will be hosting open practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium August 20th at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale Tuesday July 30th.

Undrafted rookie defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat was carted off with an elbow injury at practice today. The Arkansas and Missouri product had a good shot of making the team and adding depth to a shallow defensive-line room. The severity of the injury is not yet known.

07.22.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast July 22

LSU was picked to finish fifth in the SEC preseason media poll following SEC Media Days last week. The Tigers won ten games last year with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, and they’ll have to replace his production. Not only did Daniels throw for 38-hundred yards, but he also added 11-hundred more on the ground. Coach Brian Kelly on how the Tigers plan to replace those rushing yards…

Cut 17 (15) “…in the country.”

The nation’s No. 1 cornerback DJ Pickett committed to LSU’s 2025 recruiting class Saturday. The Florida product joins one of the Tigers’ top classes which currently ranks third in the nation and has the highest average recruit ranking.

The Tigers class was also boosted by five-star wide receiver Derek Meadows out of Bishop Gorman. The 6’6 receiver ranks 41st nationally and chose the Tigers over Alabama Notre Dame and Georgia.

LSU cornerback Javien Toviano was arrested yesterday on charges of video voyeurism. The 19-year-old is accused of having sex with a woman and recording it without her consent with a hidden camera. The team has suspended Toviano indefinitely.

Saints players report for camp tomorrow with practice kicking off Wednesday. A camp priority will be the introduction of a new offense under Coordinator Klint Kubiak. Camp will not be open to the public, so fans won’t see the new-look scheme until the first preseason game August 10. The Advocate’s Luke Johnson says they’re in for quite the shock…

Cut 16 (19) “…be exciting.”

The Southland Conference preseason poll picked Nicholls to win the conference just edging out Incarnate Word. Southeastern finished 3rd in the poll while McNeese came in sixth and Northwestern State rounded out the nine-team conference.

07.15.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast July 15

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly opened SEC Football Media Days in Dallas today to preview the 2024 season. Redshirt junior Garrett Nussmeier will have the tall task of replacing Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels this season. Nussmeier has spent the past three seasons in Baton Rouge as a backup and, Kelly says he’s been preparing for this moment…

Cut 16 (20) “…leading us.”

Baton Rouge Catholic High School right-handed pitcher Will Schmidt removed his name from the MLB Draft yesterday to play for LSU. Schmidt was expected to go as high as the top 15 picks and is ranked as the number one righty in high school baseball. He becomes the top-ranked high school prospect to ever come to Baton Rouge.

LSU third baseman Tommy White was selected by the Oakland Athletics 40th overall in the second round of the MLB Draft last night. The junior slugger finishes his collegiate career batting .355 with 75 homers and 249 RBI in 187 games.

LSU left-handed pitcher Gage Jump will be joining Tommy Tanks after being selected 73rd overall by the A’s. The redshirt sophomore posted a 3.47 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 83 innings for the Tigers this year after transferring from UCLA.

Tigers ace Luke Holman was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the 71st-overall pick. The junior righty posted a 2.75 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 91 innings this season. He’ll join No. 2 overall pick, Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns with the Reds.

UL-Lafayette shortstop Kyle DeBarge was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Minnesota Twins. Debarge was named the Cajuns’ second consensus All-American this year after batting .355 with 21 homers and 72 RBI and earning Sun-Belt Player of the Year honors. DeBarge becomes the highest-drafted player in the history of the Cajuns.

07.15.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast July 15

LSU third baseman Tommy White was selected by the Oakland Athletics 40th overall in the second round of the MLB Draft last night. The junior slugger finishes his collegiate career batting .355 with 75 homers and 249 RBI in 187 games. White was named a third-team All-American this year after hitting 24 homeruns with 70 RBI. He’ll be forever remembered by Tigers fans for his 11th-inning 2-run walk-off homer against Wake Forest to send LSU to the College World Series Championship in 2023.

LSU left-handed pitcher Gage Jump will be joining Tommy Tanks after being selected 73rd overall by the A’s. The redshirt sophomore posted a 3.47 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 83 innings for the Tigers this year after transferring from UCLA.

UL-Lafayette shortstop Kyle DeBarge was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Minnesota Twins. Debarge was named the Cajuns’ second consensus All-American this year after batting .355 with 21 homers and 72 RBI and earning Sun-Belt Player of the Year honors. DeBarge becomes the highest-drafted player in the history of the Cajuns.

Baton Rouge Catholic High School right-handed pitcher William Schmidt pulled his name from the MLB draft just hours before it began to officially commit to LSU. Schmidt was ranked the No. 16 overall prospect in America and the first-ranked righty coming out of high school.

Three-star Destrehan safety Jhase Thomas committed to LSU Saturday. The 6-foot-1 prospect is ranked as the No. 38 safety in the nation and 17th overall in Louisiana.

Three-star cornerback Kyle Johnson of Bunkie High School announced his commitment to the University of Houston. Johnson is the 37th-ranked cornerback in the nation and the 12th-ranked Louisana prospect in the class of 2025 according to 247Sports.

Former LSU third baseman Josh Smith hit two 2-run homers for the Texas Rangers yesterday to lead them to a 4-2 win over the Astros. Smith is currently having the best season of his three-year career and just missed out on earning his first All-Star selection. The 26-year-old accounted for 2 of the Rangers’ 3 hits on the day to clinch the season series over the Astros.

07.13.24
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11:30 LRN Newscast July 13

Aaliyah Jack, the Lake Charles mother who abandoned her four-year-old son who was found dead behind a Welcome Center in Vinton Monday, and her infant that son found crawling from a ditch along I-10 Tuesday has also been charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says after she was located in Mississippi…

Cut 9 (13) “…in Calcasieu.”

President Joe Biden held a “high-stakes” press conference Thursday night hoping to prove his ability to voters. Some Democratic lawmakers are calling for Biden to step aside and let someone younger run after a dismal presidential debate performance. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says it may be too little too late…
Cut 7 (11) “…three and a half years.”

Thursday night, Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels also brought home some hardware Thursday night after winning the award for Best Men’s Sports Collegiate Athlete. Daniels threw for over 38-hundred yards and 40 touchdowns and added over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in his final, Heisman-winning season at LSU. The NFL Draft’s second-overall pick will report for Commanders training camp July 28.

07.13.24
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10:30 LRN Newscast July 13

Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s Thursday night. After being diagnosed with ALS in 2011, Gleason was told he had three years to live. When he learned he received the Courage Award, he reflected on what it meant. Confined to a wheelchair and able to use technology to speak Gleason says to be courageous we must first experience fear and suffering.

Cut 5 (14) “…or suffering.” Thursday night at the ESPYs.

Aaliyah Jack will be charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile after abandoning her four-year-old and infant sons. The four-year-old was found dead behind a Welcome Center in Vinton Monday, and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory said it was a miracle the infant was found alive after surviving two days on its own along I-10. He says it’s been an emotional week and case.

Cut 11 (04) ” …forget.”

President Joe Biden held a press conference Thursday night to try and disprove rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but whether he accomplished that is debatable. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The Democratic presidential nominee will be announced at their National Convention in August.
Former LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes has been named as the starter for the National League All-Stars. Skenes becomes the 5th rookie in MLB history to receive the All-Star starting nod and his 11 starts this season match the fewest in a career to earn a starting spot. The MLB All-Star game is set for Tuesday July 16.

07.13.24
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9:30 LRN Newscast July 13

Aaliyah (ah-lee-ah) Jack, the Lake Charles mother who abandoned her four-year-old son who was found dead behind a Welcome Center in Vinton Monday, and her infant that son found crawling from a ditch along I-10 Tuesday has also been charged with second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says after she was located in Mississippi…

Cut 9 (13) “…in Calcasieu.”

President Joe Biden held a “high-stakes” press conference Thursday night hoping to prove his ability to voters. Some Democratic lawmakers are calling for Biden to step aside and let someone younger run after a dismal presidential debate performance. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says it may be too little too late…
Cut 7 (11) “…three and a half years.”

Thursday night, Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels also brought home some hardware Thursday night after winning the award for Best Men’s Sports Collegiate Athlete. Daniels threw for over 38-hundred yards and 40 touchdowns and added over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in his final, Heisman-winning season at LSU. The NFL Draft’s second-overall pick will report for Commanders training camp July 28.

07.13.24
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8:30 LRN Newscast July 13

Saints legend Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the ESPY’s Thursday night for his contributions transcending sports. Gleason and his family have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of those living with ALS after his own diagnosis in 2011. Former teammate Drew Brees presented the award, and Gleason’s son held it beside him during his acceptance speech.

Cut 3 (13) “…love y’all (clapping fades out).”

President Joe Biden held a press conference Thursday night to dispel rumors about alleged cognitive decline, but many are left uncertain of his ability. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says republicans view Biden as a wounded candidate and would like to see him oppose Trump. With Biden all but refusing to step aside and no other clear Democratic candidate, Hogan thinks the Democrats are in a tight spot.

Cut 8 (11) “…being questioned.”

Aaliyah (ah-lee-ah) Jack, the Lake Charles mother who abandoned her four-year-old son who was found dead behind a Welcome Center in Vinton Monday, and her infant son found crawling from a ditch along I-10 Tuesday will receive charges for second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says the case moved swiftly when they found the elder child in the water and sent out a release asking local media to help them identify the child. He says it was then the paternal grandmother of the children who called from Texas fearing who it was, and she also told them about the infant.

Cut 10 (09) “…kid was.”

24-year-old Jack’s bond is set at $9.1 million and she’s also charged with failure to report a missing child.

Former LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes has been named as the starter for the National League All-Stars. Skenes becomes the 5th rookie in MLB history to receive the All-Star starting nod and his 11 starts this season match the fewest in a career to earn a starting spot. The MLB All-Star game is set for Tuesday July 16.

07.13.24
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7:30 LRN Sportscast July 13

Former LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes has been named as the starter for the National League All-Stars following his 7-inning no-hitter yesterday. Skenes becomes the 5th rookie in MLB history to receive the All-Star starting nod and his 11 starts this season match the fewest in a career to earn a starting spot. The MLB All-Star game is set for Tuesday July 16.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won Best Men’s Sports College Athlete at the ESPY’s for his final season as a Tiger. He adds to his already extensive list of accolades which includes a Heisman trophy, Walter Camp Award, and SEC Male Athlete of the Year.

Former Saints safety Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s for the work he and his nonprofit Team Gleason have done to benefit those living with ALS.
Cut 17 (14) “…or suffering.”

NBA Summer league tipped-off in Las Vegas Friday and a few former Tigers are set to make appearances around the league. Guard Javonte Smart will suit up for the Bulls after stints with the Bucks, Heat, and 76ers. Smart was a coveted recruit out of Scotlandville High in Baton Rouge and played 3 stellar seasons for the Tigers from 2018-2021. Forward Darius Days will represent the 76ers following a four-year career at LSU from 2018-2022 where he earned All-SEC second team honors his senior year. Forward KJ Williams followed coach Matt McMahon from Murray State for his first season at LSU and will play for the OKC Thunder. Williams led the 2022 Tigers with almost 18 points a game and was named to the All-SEC second team. Forward Will Baker transferred from Nevada to LSU for his final collegiate season last year. The 7-footer went undrafted after averaging 11 points and nearly 5 rebounds a game and earned a spot on the Pistons summer league roster.

LSU basketball announced they’ll be facing Pittsburgh in the opening game of the inaugural Greenbrier Tip-Off November 22 at the famed Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. with the winner facing either Wisconsin or Central Florida in the championship.