The Saints had 371 total yards to Carolina’s 223, but the Black and Gold still lost to the Panthers 23-20 last night. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees had two turnovers in the first half that resulted in 10 points for the defending NFC champs…
cut 30 (12) “…result”
The blocked field goal right before halftime resulted in seven more points for the Panthers. New Orleans is now 4-6 on the year.

Southeastern Louisiana completed its regular season with a 44-42 win over Nicholls State. S-L-U’s Julius Maracalin had three rushing touchdowns. The Lions, who are 7-4 on the season, still have a chance for an F-C-S playoff berth. The Colonels finished the year with a 5-6 record.

LSU will honor 19 seniors before tomorrow’s game against the Florida Gators. One of those seniors is defensive back Tre’ Davious White. The Shreveport native likes how the team has come together since Head Coach Ed Orgeron took over….
cut 17 (12) ” next to none”
A key to an LSU win on Saturday will be the running game for the Tigers. Florida is the second best in the SEC at defending run. Kick-off is at high noon.

Also this weekend, the Cajuns visit Georgia, ULM is at Appalachian State, Grambling visits Texas Southern,Northwestern State is at Stephen F Austin, McNeese hosts Lamar and Southern hosts Mississippi Valley State.

In the high school football playoffs last night…West Monroe advanced to the quarterfinals in Class Five-A with a win over Ouachita Parish. In one-a, Oak Grove and Kentwood moved on to the quarters.

Tonight the Saints visit the Carolina Panthers in an NFC South matchup. These two teams met last month in the Superdome and New Orleans won 41-38. Quarterback Drew Brees says the Panthers have a good defense, even though he threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns versus Carolina this season
cut 19 (19) “…the past”
Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux will reportedly not play tonight. Breaux has missed much of the season because of a broken fibula.

In college football tonight…Southeastern Louisiana is at Nicholls State for the 26th playing of the River Bell Classic. The Lions ahve won five of their last six games, while the Colonels can claim their first winning season since 2007 with a win tonight. Kick-off is at 6 PM.

The Florida Gators will arrive in Baton Rouge tomorrow for Saturday’s SEC match-up with LSU. A win for the Gators and they clinch the SEC East. Meanwhile, a victory for the Tigers moves them one step closer to a potential Sugar Bowl appearance.

Former LSU Coach Les Miles made some news today. Dennis Dodd of C-B-S sports-dot-com published a story featuring Miles, who says he wants to coach at a Power 5 school ynext year. There are multiple sources that say Miles is a candidate at Baylor. The 63-year-old also told Dodd that he will change his philosphy on offense.

In college basketball tonight…Tulane takes on Oklahoma, the Cajuns host Panhandle State for their home opener which will take place inside Blackham Coliseum and ULM begins a four-game road trip at Colorado.

Last night in college hoops….Louisiana Tech beat Alabama State as Erik McCree and Jacobi Boykins each scored 18 points.

The 4-and-5 Saints take on the 3-6 Carolina Panthers tonight on Thursday night football. New Orleans beat Carolina 41-38 earlier this season. Drew Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns. The Q-B says the Black and Gold had a good day that day and Carolina still has a good defense…
cut 19 (19) “…the past”
The 37-year-old Brees is tied for the most touchdown passes in the NFL and ranks second passing yards as he’ll go over 3,000 mark tonight.

Also tonight in Thibodaux, Nicholls State will host Southeastern Louisiana as those two teams will battle it out for the River Bell Trophy. The Colonels won this game last year on a 40-yard field goal with no time left on the clock. Nicholls is led by freshman quarterback Chase Fourcade who has thrown for 22-hundred yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns.

The 21st ranked Gators come into Baton Rouge this Saturday with a 7-2 record, but seven starters are not expected to play because of injuries. Florida Coach Jim McElwain joked about changing the rules of football in order to make the game more even…
cut 17 (20) “…some guys”
A win for Florida and they clinch the SEC East.

Louisiana Tech is the first school since 2012 to have two players named semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award. Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson have combined to catch 26 touchdown passes.

In college hoops, Tech beat Alabama State 87-56 last night, tonight ULM faces Colorado.

After a difficult loss to Denver on Sunday, the Saints return to game action tonight with a Thursday night match-up with NFC South rival Carolina. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s a challenge to prepare for a game on a short week, but they are looking to get the bad taste out of their mouth from last Sunday’s heart breaking loss…:
Cut 18 (13) “ on Carolina”
Kickoff is at 7:25.

The New Orleans Pelicans lost on the road last night to the Orlando Magic 89-82. Anthony Davis missed his first game of the season due to a leg injury. The Pels host the Trail Blazers tomorrow.

In college hoops, Louisiana Tech got a win in their home opener over Alabama State last night, 87-56. Southeastern beat Jackson State 86-71.

Earlier this season, Florida was getting ready to host LSU, now the Gators are getting ready to visit the Tigers in Death Valley. The two ranked SEC teams are set to meet this Saturday at high noon. Florida Coach Jim McElwain says he appreciates the way LSU plays football..:
Cut 16 (14)” talent there”
The 21st ranked Gators are 7-2 on the year, but seven starters are not expected to play against LSU, who is relatively healthy.

LSU junior running back Leonard Fournette has been named as one of the 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award — which goes to the nation’s top running back. Fournette is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award.

Southeastern and rival Nicholls State will duke it out tonight in the River Bell Classic in Thibodaux. The winner will take possession of third place in the Southland Conference behind Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette says he’ll be ready for Saturday’s game against Florida, despite an ankle injury that’s bothered him all season long. Fournette’s injury gave sophomore running back Derrius Guice more opportunities and the Baton Rouge product has taken advantage. Guice leads the team in rushing and has nine touchdowns. Fournette was impressed with Guice’s school-record 96 yard rushing touchdown last week…
cut 18 (12) “…it’s amazing”
Here’s how Florida coach Jim McElwain described LSU’s one-two punch at running back…
cut 30 (12) “,…this conference”
Saturday is expected to be Fournette’s last game in Tiger Stadium, because he’s expected to enter the NFL draft.

The Saints head to Carolina today for tomorrow night’s game against the Panthers. Quarterback Drew Brees on what it’s like preparing for a Thursday night game….
cut 29 (20) “…for it”
Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead has been ruled out for tomorrow night’s game with a leg injury, while cornerback Delvin Breaux is questionable.

There’s been a lot of reaction on social media to the name change of New Orleans Triple-A baseball team. The New Orleans Zephyrs are now the New Orleans Baby Cakes and the team’s general manager Cookie Rojas is happy the new nickname has drawn a ton of interest….
cut 14 (08) “…been fantastic”

Saturday is expected to be star running back Leonard Fournette’s final game in Tiger Stadium. Fournette says the juniors on the team will meet with Coach Ed Orgeron after the season to determine whether they should return for their senior season, but it’s expected Fournette will NOT be back. The All-American ball carrier has battled an ankle sprain all season long and says he’ll be ready for Saturday’s game against the Gators…
cut 17 (09) “….every day”
Fournette has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. The New Orleans native was a finalist for the award last season.

College basketball last night, Antonio Blakeney had 26 points as the LSU Tigers improved to 2-0 on the season with a 78-61 win over Southern Miss. For the second year in a row, Louisiana College beat Mcneese State.

Southern University has been placed on five years of probation as the NCAA has determined the school lacked intitutional control when it improperly certified over 200 student-athletes during a six year period.

Another win for ULM on Saturday against Appalachian State and the Warhawks will improve their Sun Belt record to 4-3 and their overall mark to 5-6. But the Moutaineers are 7-3 and have the top defense in the league. ULM Coach Matt Viator says App State’s defense doesn’t give up many big plays…
cut 20 (18) “…here we go”

Most of the reaction on social media to the new nickname of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team in New Orleans has been negative. They are now called the Baby Cakes instead of the Zephyrs.

It’s likely Saturday will be LSU running back Leonard Fournette’s final game in Tiger Stadium. The junior from New Orleans is expected to be a Top Five pick in next spring’s NFL draft, but he admits it will be hard to leave college early…:
Cut 16 (10)” Coach O”
Fournette says the juniors on the team will meet with Coach Ed Orgeron after the season to determine whether they should return for their senior season.

In college hoops, LSU is now 2-0 following a 78-61 win last night over Southern Mississippi in the PMAC. Antonio Blakeney posted the ninth 20-plus point game of his LSU career, putting up 26 on the board.

In the NBA, the Pelicans face the Magic tonight in Orlando. It’s reported the Pels top two guards, Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, have returned to practice. Won’t play tonight but New Orleans hopes it’s the last time they are listed out.

ULM takes a two-game winning streak to Appalachian State this Saturday. The Warhawks are coming off a 37-23 win over Georgia State on the road. Coach Matt Viator likes how his team is overcoming adversity…:
Cut 19 (15) “defensive football”
Another win for ULM on Saturday and they can improve their Sun Belt record to 4-3 and their overall mark to 5-6.

So what will the New Orleans Saints have to do to overcome a dominant Panthers defense tomorrow night? Wide receiver Willie Snead says they need to play perfect..:
CUT 1 (08) “game plan”

The Marlins’ Triple-A team, formerly known as the Zephyrs, has been renamed the New Orleans Baby Cakes. The new identity has many Mardi Gras themes with primary colors purple, green and gold.

The 16th ranked LSU Tigers are getting ready to host 21st ranked Florida for Senior Day on Saturday. The Tigers will honor 19 seniors before the game. Interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron says that’s one of the many reasons why they want to beat the Gators in a bad way…
cut 20 (17) “….ready to play”
Saturday could also mark Leonard Fournette’s final game inside Tiger Stadium. Fournette says he continues to get treatment on his injured ankle, but he’ll be ready to play this Saturday.

Grambling State Head Coach Broderick Fobbs is a finalist for the F-C-S Coach of the Year. Fobbs and the Tigers are 8-1, heading into Saturday’s game against Texas Southern.

Three Saints players did not practice today, offensive tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Delvin Breaux and running back Daniel Lasco. New Orleans is at Carolina on Thursday.

UL Lafayette Football Coach Mark Hudspeth says his team will conduct one-thousand hours of community service as result of a viral video that shows four players in the locker room using vulgarity during an anti-Donald Trump rap song. Hudspeth says they’ll visit every middle school and high school in Acadiana…
cut 18 (20) “….social media”
The four players shown in the video have been or are facing punishment.

Tonight in college basketball…LSU hosts Southern Miss. Both teams are 1-0 on the season. Tigers forward Duop Reath had 23 points and 14 rebounds in the season opening victory over Wofford. In Lake Charles, McNeese State takes on Southern Miss.

For the second time this season, 16th ranked LSU is getting ready to play a game against the 21st ranked Florida Gators. The two schools were scheduled to play each other October 8th, but Hurricane Matthew postponed the contest. Florida is now 7-3, they lead the SEC East at 5-and-2 and they have one of the top defenses in the league. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron…
Cut 19 (13) “lot of speed” (2x)
Florida comes into the game as a banged up football squad, with seven starters ruled out.

Louisiana Tech will play in the Conference USA title game on December 3rd and it’s their hope to play the game in Shreveport. For that to happen, the Bulldogs will have to beat Southern Miss in the regular season finale and Western Kentucky will have to beat Marshall.

UL Lafayette Football Coach Mark Hudspeth has announced plans on how to avoid another viral video coming out the locker room that has put the school in a very uncomfortable situation. The video shows four football players singing an anti-Donald Trump rap song and it’s filled vulgar language. He says they also have taken steps to ensure the locker room breeds an environment of discipline, relaxation and comfort….
cut 17 (18) “…head phones”
He says the team will also participate in one-thousand hours of community service by visiting every middle school and high school in Acadiana and talking with students about how social media can be used in the wrong way.

The Pelicans beat Boston 106 to 105 last night and they get Jrue Holiday back. He’s been with his wife who had surgery to remove a brain tumor.

For the second time this season, 16th ranked LSU is getting ready to play a game against the 21st ranked Florida Gators. Florida is now 7-3, they lead the SEC East at 5-and-2 and they have one of the top defenses in the league. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…:
Cut 19 (13) “lot of speed” (2x)
The Senior Day game kicks off at noon in Tiger Stadium Saturday. The SEC announced LSU and Texas A&M will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving in College Station.

There are plenty of honors going out to college athletes in Louisiana this week. LSU running back Derrius Guice and offensive lineman Ethan Pocic have been named SEC Players of the Week. Guice ran for 252 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Arkansas. Pocic led the Tigers with 11 knockdown blocks.

Louisiana Tech kicker Carlos Henderson once again picked up the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week after posting his second kickoff return for a touchdown this season in the win over Texas San Antonio.

In the Sun Belt, ULM running back Thomas Koufie is the Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 5 touchdowns in the win over Georgia State.

This story has been making national headlines, and once again UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth is apologizing for the video showing some of his players dancing and singing to a profanity laced anti-Donald Trump rap song inside the locker room…:
CUT 16 (15) “promoted here”
He said the players have been punished but didn’t say how.

In the NBA, the Pelicans have now won their second game of the season and their first at home. New Orleans slipped by the Celtics Monday night 106-105 in front of a thrilled crowd in the Smoothie King Center.