In what might have been the final game of the Sean Payton era, the Saints defeated the Falcons 20-17 as Kai Forbath drilled a 30-yard field goal with no time left for the winning points. Payton says it was a gutsy win for his banged-up team…

cut 16 (16) “entire career”

The win gives the Saints a 7-9 record for the 2015 season and they end the year on a two-game winning streak.

LSU announces that Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will take the reigns of the Tiger defense next season. Aranda replaces Kevin Steele, who left to take the same position at Auburn. Under Aranda, the Badgers led the FBS in scoring defense, allowing less than 14 points per game. In fact, in five major defensive categories the Wisconsin defense ranks in the top seven nationally. In a twist of fate, LSU opens their 2016 football season against Wisconsin.

LSU picked up a couple of big commitments from Drake Davis and Michael Divinity at the Under Armour All-America Game Saturday. Divinity, a four star linebacker from John Ehret, graduated mid year and will be on campus this spring. Davis, who played wide receiver at IMG Academy in Florida, is a Baton Rouge native who also plans to play basketball.

In college basketball this weekend, Ben Simmons scored 36 as LSU won their SEC opener against Vanderbilt 90-82. The Tigers will host the tenth ranked Kentucky Wildcats tomorrow night.

Louisiana Tech crushed Southern Miss 87-57, UL-Lafayette pounded Appalachian State 79-59, Northwestern State fell to Houston Baptist 99-73, Lamar beat Nicholls State 79-67, it was Stephen F. Austin over McNeese 86-57, and UConn defeated Tulane 75-67.

It did not take long for LSU to hire a new defensive coordinator. Less than 72 hours after Kevin Steele announced he was leaving Baton Rouge to take the defensive coordinator at Auburn, the Tigers announce that Wisconsin’s Dave Arnada will lead the LSU defense next season. Under Arnada, the Badgers led the FBS in scoring defense, allowing less than 14 points per game. In fact, in five major defensive categories the Wisconsin defense ranks in the top seven nationally. In a twist of fate, LSU opens their 2016 football season against Wisconsin.

Former Neville High standout John Diarse is transferring from LSU. Diarse was a reserve wide receiver this past season and caught 13 passes for 137 yards, including a season-high 45 receiving yards in the Tigers’ win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Diarse graduated from LSU last month and can continue his college career somewhere else.

12th ranked Ole Miss scored 24 points in the second quarter on their way to a 48-20 win over number 16 Oklahoma State in last night’s Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes Benz-Superdome. Rebel quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns as Ole Miss won their first Sugar Bowl since 1970. With the win, the SEC improves to 6-2 this bowl season.

Today in college basketball…LSU begins SEC play as it visits Vanderbilt for a game that can be seen on ESPN Two at eight o’ clock. The Tigers have been up and down in their pre-conference schedule and they enter league play with a 7-5 record.

Louisiana Tech opens their Conference USA schedule hosting Southern Miss.

In the Southland Conference, Northwestern State takes on Houston Baptist, Nicholls State Hosts Lamar, and McNeese State travels to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin.

In the SWAC, Grambling hosts Alabama A&M and Southern will face Texas Southern in Houston.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette plays Appalachian State in the Cajundome.

And Tulane hosts UConn in an American Conference matchup.

Former Neville High standout John Diarse is transferring from LSU. Diarse was a reserve wide receiver this past season and caught 13 passes for 137 yards, including a season-high 45 receiving yards in the Tigers win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Diarse graduated from LSU last month and can continue his college career somewhere else.

Alabama will meet Clemson in the College Football National Championship game on January 11th in Glendale, Arizona. The Crimson Tide crushed Michigan State 38-0 last night in Arlington, Texas, while Clemson dominated Oklahoma in the 2nd half to beat the Sooners 37-17 in the Orange Bowl.

Tonight in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it’s the Sugar Bowl as Oklahoma State takes on Ole Miss at 7:30. The game is a sell out as the Rebels are making their first appearance in the Sugar Bowl since the days when Archie Manning was their quarterback.

The Pelicans finished off 2015 with a 95-89 loss to the red-hot Clippers. New Orleans struggled from long range, hitting just 7-of-25 from three-point land and they also gave up 24 second-chance points. Ryan Anderson had 17 to lead the Pelicans in scoring. Norris Cole had 15, while Eric Gordon had ten points on 3-of-10 shooting. New Orleans is at Dallas tomorrow night.

In college basketball…ULM is 2-0 in the Sun Belt after beating Appalachian State 72-56 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on New Year’s eve. Senior Majok Deng had a game-high 18 points and seven rebounds. The Warhawks are at Arkansas State on Thursday.

Tomorrow…LSU begins SEC play as it visits Vanderbilt for a game that can be seen on ESPN Two at eight o’ clock. The Tigers have been up and down in their pre-conference schedule and they enter league play with a 7-5 record.

Also tomorrow…Louisiana Tech hosts Southern Miss, while the Ragin Cajuns take on Appalachian State in the Cajundome.

The matchup has been decided for the College Football Playoff national championship game. Number one Clemson scored 21 unanswered second half points to blow past number four Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl. And second ranked Alabama dominated number three Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl 38-0. Clemson and Alabama will meet January 11th in the CFP National Championship Game at Glendale, Arizona.

Louisiana Tech has promoted Tim Rattay from outside receivers coach to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has been a Bulldog assistant the last three years after a record-setting career as a quarterback for Tech in the late 1990s. Rattay was promoted after offensive coordinator Tony Peterson left La Tech for the same job at East Carolina University. No word on who the Bulldogs will hire to direct their offense.

In college basketball, Majok Deng scored 18 to lead ULM to a 72-56 win over Appalachian State. The win improves the Warhawks to 6-7 and a perfect 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.

A high school football prospect in northwest Louisiana has been arrested for a second time in the last several weeks. It’s being reported that Devin White was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer. White, who had a stellar career at North Webster, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile in November. He’s being recruited by LSU.

The Clippers ended the Pels three game home winning streak last night defeating them 95-89. JJ Reddick pumped in 26 for Los Angeles to end an unbeaten 5 game road trip. Six Pelicans scored in double figures in the defeat led by Ryan Anderson’s 17 followed by Jrue Holiday with 15. The Pels are now 10-22 and are looking to get a “W” this Saturday at Dallas.

The Saints are looking to close out the regular season on a two game winning streak when they face the Atlanta Falcons. Although they’re guaranteed a second straight losing season, a win would let New Orleans finish the season with a 7-9 record. Sunday’s kickoff is at noon.

LSU is looking for a new defensive coordinator after Kevin Steele left the Tigers for the same job at Auburn. Footbally analyst Mike Detillier says Steele’s departure is not a big loss for LSU…
cut 30 (10) “…late in the season”
Detillier doesn’t believe LSU will promote someone currently on staff to become the team’s next defensive coordinator. He says they spoke with several people about this same job last year and they may go back to that list to fill this void.

Louisiana Tech has promoted Tim Rattay from outside receivers coach to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has been a Bulldog assistant the last three years after a record-setting career as a quarterback for Tech in the late 1990s. Rattay was promoted after offensive coordinator Tony Peterson left La Tech for the same job at East Carolina. No word on who the Bulldogs will hire to direct their offense.

A high school football prospect in northwest Louisiana has been arrested for a second time in the last several weeks. It’s being reported that Devin White was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer. White, who had a stellar career at North Webster, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile in November. He’s being recruited by LSU.

The Saints are looking to close out the regular season on a strong note when they face the Atlanta Falcons. A win would give New Orleans a 7-9 record in 2015. Some young wide receivers have emerged this year. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead have combined to catch 145 passes and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Drew Brees believes the future is bright for the Saints, because of those two…
cut 18 (19) “…a time”
New Orleans at Atlanta is noon Sunday.

LSU is conducting another search for a defensive coordinator. After just one season, Kevin Steele has left the Tigers to do the same job at Auburn. LSU fans are wondering if Coach Les Miles will promote defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and make him the head man of the defense. NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t see that happening…
cut 12 (05) “…the family”
LSU conducted an extensive search for a defensive coordinator last year and the names of some of the candidates were recently made public. Detillier says Miles may talk to some of those individuals again this year.

Louisiana Tech has lost its offensive coordinator to East Carolina. Tony Petersen has left the program, so Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz has promoted former Tech star Tim Rattay to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has spent the last three years as Tech’s outside receivers coach.

The Saints will take on the Falcons this Sunday. There’s been speculation for weeks that this could be quarterback Drew Brees last game in a New Orleans uniform. Brees doesn’t understand how these rumors get started and why they are reported…
cut 17 (19) “…I chuckle”
In other Saints news…running back CJ Spiller will not play in the regular season finale as he’s been placed on injured reserve. Spiller never lived up to expectations this season after having surgery on his knee during training camp.

The Pelicans host the Clippers tonight for a New Year’s Eve contest in the Smoothie King Center. Los Angeles played last night in Charlotte and beat the Bobcats 122-117. Tip-off tonight is at 7:00.

After just one season, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has left the LSU football team to accept the same position at Auburn. The list of candidates LSU used last year to hire Steele recently became public and football analyst Mike Detillier believes head coach Les Miles will go back to that list to replace him…

cut 11 (11) “at LSU”

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Georgia Tech’s Ted Roof, Penn State’s Bob Shoop, and Oklahoma’s Mike Stoops are some of the individuals Miles spoke with last year.

In college basketball action Wednesday, Jackson State belted Southeastern Louisiana 89-66. The Lions’ Zay Jackson led all scorers with 23. Southeastern has now lost five straight and are winless on the road this season. The Lions begin Southland Conference play Saturday at home against Stephen F. Austin.

The Saints final regular season game is this Sunday as the Black and Gold visit Atlanta. New Orleans will look to end the season on a two-game winning streak, but that won’t be good enough to avoid a second straight losing season. Quarterback Drew Brees says despite missing the playoffs again, he feels good about the future because of the character and leadership that’s on the team…

cut 16 (15) “move forward”

Doug Atkins, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a member of that very first Saints team, has passed away at the age of 85. Atkins died of natural causes. The six-foot-eight defensive lineman played for the Black and Gold from 1967-69.

Tonight, the Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers will be without Blake Griffin who injured his left quad on Christmas Day. Although they’ve lost two of their last three, the Pels are riding a season high three game home winning streak.

LSU needs to find another defensive coordinator.Kevin Steele has left LSU after one season as the Tigers D-C and he’s taking the same job at Auburn. This past season, LSU’s defense had its ups and downs, but played well last night in a 56-27 win over Texas Tech. Coach Les Miles is impressed with what Steele did as LSU’s defense produced six sacks…
cut 5 (08) “…certain things”
Steele takes over for Will Muschamp, who left Auburn after one season to become the head coach at South Carolina.

Auburn played Memphis today in the Birmingham Bowl and won easily 31-10.

Doug Atkins, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a member of that first Saints team in 1967, has passed away at the age of 85. Atkins died of natural causes. The six-foot-eight defensive lineman played for the Black and Gold from 1967-69.

This Sunday the Saints face the Atlanta Falcons in the regular season finale. Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s amused by the reports that this could be his last game in a Saints uniform…
cut 30 (20) “…right here”
Brees is also disappointed over the possiblity that the Chargers will leave for Los Angeles. Brees started his pro career in a San Diego uniform.

The LSU men’s basketball team was looking for some momentum heading into 2016, but they didn’t get it as they lost to Wake Forest 77-71. Ben Simmons had a double-double as he scored 21 points and had 12 rebounds. But the Tigers turned the ball over 17 times.

In action tonight…Southeastern Louisiana is at Jackson State.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette put on an impressive performance in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The sophomore from New Orleans rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns. Coach Les Miles is not surprised by Fournette’s showing…
cut 3 (10) “…special back”
Fournette finished 47 yards away from eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards on the season. The win gives LSU a 9-3 record for 2015. Miles hopes the victory over the Red Raiders is the sign of things to come in 2016….
cut 4 (12) “….bountiful way”
Will Kevin Steele return as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2016. There’s reports he may take the same job at Auburn. It’s also being reported that LSU is working to keep Steele in Baton Rouge.

UL Lafayette needs a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Jay Johnson, who has guided the Cajuns offense the last five seasons, has accpeted the same job at the University of Minnesota. Johnson is a Minnesota native, who helped former quarterback Terrance Broadway set the school record for total offense.

In college hoops…LSU lost for a fifth time this season as they fell to Wake Forest 77-71. The Tigers could not overcome 17 turnovers. LSU begins SEC play on Saturday against Vanderbilt.

Tulane started American Athletic Conference play by losing to Memphis 77-65.

Today…UL Lafayette hosts Spring Hill. Southeastern Louisiana is at Jackson State.

The Pelicans are off tonight. They host Chris Paul and the Clippers tomorrow night.

LSU scored 21 points in the third quarter to pull away in their 56-27 win over Texas Tech in last night’s Texas Bowl in Houston. Running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 212 yards and four touchdowns and caught a 44 yard pass for a fifth TD to lead the Tigers. Red Raider quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns, but the LSU defense kept him under heavy pressure throughout the game and sacked him six times. LSU finishes their season with a 9-3 record.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees told the NFL Network that he doesn’t see himself or Coach Sean Payton leaving in the off season. Both have been rumored to possibly leave after this year. In the appearance, Brees said he’s confident that the leadership, character and talent on the team will be able to make a successful run in the future.

Yesterday in college hoops action, Wake Forest outscored LSU 18-11 in the final 3:43 of the game to take home 77-71 win over the Tigers. Ben Simmons led LSU with 21 points and a dozen rebounds. The Tigers fall to 7-5 as they prepare for their Southeastern Conference opener against Vandebilt Saturday.

Not the start Tulane wanted in the American Conference as they lost their league opener to Memphis 77-65. The Green Wave led by two at the half 37-34, but Ricky Tarrant, Jr. scored 12 second half points to help lead Memphis win their 12th straight league opener. Tulane will welcome the UConn Huskies Saturday night.

Christavious Gill scored 22 as UNO overpowered Blue Mountain College 94-61. The Privateers made 29 of their 51 shots from the field, including 7 of 16 from beyond the three point line. UNO opens Southland Conference play Monday at Lamar.

Northwestern State crushed Centenary 92-69. The Demons will open league play Saturday when they host Houston Baptist.