The Saints wrap up their preseason Saturday against the Broncos in the Superdome. The starting quarterback job is, down to second-year Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough. Mike Hoss, the Saints’ play-by-play announcer on WWL radio, says the race is still close.

Cut 6 (14) “…a pick-six.”

For the first time in program history, a Nicholls State home football game will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN2. N It will be head coach Tommy Rybacki’s first game as the Colonel’s head coach after Tim Rebowe retired at the end of last season. Athletic director Jonathan Terell says Rybacki was an ideal replacement.

CUT 21 (13): “be successful.”

Nicholls and Incarnate Word kick off Saturday at noon.

LSU Men’s Basketball has announced its 2025 Non-Conference Schedule. The schedule features 13 non-conference games. LSU will tip off its season at home against Tarleton State on Wednesday, November 5^th. The Tigers will make their return to the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Florida, where they will take on Drake on November 28^th. LSU will face either Georgia Tech or DePaul on November 29^th in the second game of the classic. LSU will travel to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, to take on Boston College for the annual SEC and ACC challenge.

The Southern Jaguars begin their season on Saturday in Atlanta, as they face the NC Central Eagles. The Jaguars will be challenged with facing one of the top FCS quarterbacks in Davius Richard. Head coach Terrance Graves says he is taking advantage of all the film he can to stop the dynamic quarterback.

Cut 30 (13): “seen on film”

Southern and NC Central kick off at 6:30 p.m.

The New Orleans Saints are nearing its regular season opener versus the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Kellen Moore announced that second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start the final preseason game for the Saints. Moore says Rattler’s ability to extend plays with his legs has stood out.

Cut 17 (17)  “…group is going.”

The New Orleans Saints acquired Devaughn Vele (VAY-lay) from the Denver Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round pick in 2027. Vele fits a need for a big and physical receiver that New Orleans has been missing, as he is six-foot-five and 210 pounds. Moore says the offense will benefit from the addition.

Cut 16 (13) “…corporation.” 

The Southeastern Conference has announced that it will be moving to a nine-game conference schedule in football beginning in 2026. Under the new format, the SEC will continue with single-standings; each team will play three annual opponents focused on maintaining traditional rivalries; each team’s remaining six games will rotate among the remaining conference schools, and each team will face every other SEC program at least once every two years and every opponent home and away in four years. SEC teams are also required to schedule at least one quality non-conference opponent from the ACC, Big 10, or Big 12 conference or Notre Dame each season.

UL Lafayette named Walker Howard as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season after he beat out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield for the job. Walker, who was once a five-star in the class of 2022 started his career at LSU and later transferred to Ole Miss. Howard says he is glad to be playing for the hometown team.

Cut 20 (14) “…behind me.”

LSU football is only ten days away from kicking off its season against Clemson and the Tigers are still looking for a starting left guard and right tackle. The left guard and right tackle position battle involves several players. Head coach Bryan Kelly says he and the staff are trying to find the best options for the opener.

Cut 17 (17)  “…right tackle.”

UL Lafayette has named its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Former five-star and Lafayette’s own Walker Howard has been named the starter after beating out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield for the job, where he will make his debut as a starter vs Rice on August 30th. Howard was ranked as the No.6 quarterback in the class of 2022 and transferred in from Ole Miss this past offseason.

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore told the media that he is still not ready to decide on which quarterback would get the start in week one versus the Arizona Cardinals. Moore says the staff will continue to monitor each quarterback day by day before making any decisions.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has not coached since 2021, when he went 6 and 6 with LSU. Orgeron told Tiger Rag that he wants to eventually make a return to coaching, but he says he is waiting for the right opportunity.

Cut 5 (10) “…best for us.”

Louisiana Tech sophomore quarterback Evan Bullock has been named to the 2025 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List. The award is given annually to the top offensive player in college football who also exhibits the characteristics that define Earl Campbell. Bullock totaled 2,107 yards passing to go with 14 touchdowns in the air.

LSU football is only ten days away from kicking off its season against Clemson on the East coast. Head coach Brian Kelly named three solidified starters on the offensive line but says starting jobs at left guard and right tackle are ongoing. The battle at left guard includes Paul Mubenga, Coen Echols and DJ Chester. For most of fall camp, Chester took first-team snaps at left guard but recently has been working at both center and right tackle. Kelly says to expect more than the same five linemen to rotate in with the group when the season begins.

Cut 19 (21) “…as well.”

The battle at right tackle includes sophomore Weston Davis and freshman Carius Curne.

A doubleheader involving LSU’s two basketball programs is set to take place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday, December 13^th in the Compete 4 Cause Classic. The opener of the doubleheader will feature LSU women’s basketball taking on Louisiana Tech. The second matchup will feature LSU men’s basketball team taking on the SMU Mustangs. Long-time LSU SID Kent Lowe says both LSU teams will benefit from playing in New Orleans.

Cut 8 (12) “…as well.”

As UL Monroe’s kickoff versus Saints Francis continues to creep up, head coach Bryant Vincent says the Warhawks still have a lot to learn from. He says the offense has to execute more consistently and become better disciplined.

Cut 20 (17) “…is critical.”

LSU football’s offensive line saw its biggest shakeup yet at practice number sixteen. Freshman Carius Curne took first-team reps at right tackle while sophomore Weston Davis took second-team reps at right tackle. Sophomore Paul Mubenga was with the first team at left guard.

Senior wideout Zavion Thomas is one of many LSU receivers who can hurt defenses with his speed. Head coach Brian Kelly says that the senior has had an impressive fall camp.

Cut 18 (13) “…be expanded.”

Jay Johnson told the Advocate LSU Baseball’s 2026 opponents for the first four weeks of the season. LSU will start its season versus Milwaukee in Baton Rouge. The Tigers will participate in the 2026 Jax College Baseball Classic in Jacksonville Florida where it will face Indiana, Notre Dame, and UCF. The Tigers will return home in week three to face Northeastern University and in week four, LSU will host Sacramento State.

Louisiana Tech’s 2025 squad has several players on its current roster who are from Ruston. Sophomore linebacker and Ruston native Jadon Mayfield says that it has been a blessing to play for the hometown team.

Cut 20 (15) “…a powerhouse.”

The New Orleans Saints are acquiring veteran center Luke Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Fortner is entering his fourth season in the NFL and looks to add some depth to an injured and depleted offensive line.

Former LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron told Barstool Sports in an interview that he has the itch to coach again. Orgeron has not coached since the 2021 season, where he was fired after going 6 and 6. Now that Orgeron’s sons all have established roles in coaching, he says he would be open to a coaching return.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke publicly today for the first time since the arrest of freshman running back JT Lindsey. Lindsey is accused of harboring two wanted second-degree murder suspects in his LSU dorm room for several days. There’s also a report of guns found inside the apartment, raising questions on how firearms got inside a university-owned building. Kelly says it appears Lindsey was hanging out with the wrong crowd…

Cut 12 (11) “…your circle.”

LSU head coach Brian Kelly is being extra cautious with work management when it comes to linebacker Whit Weeks and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. After Weeks was held out of Friday’s practice, Kelly said the junior linebacker will not participate in five straight practices until the week of Clemson but will be back for Saturday’s scrimmage.

Kelly also said that Nussmeier reached an amount of throws that allows him to slow down for a day. Kelly said the veteran quarterback will practice fully in Saturday’s scrimmage.

The New Orleans Saints are already battling with injuries. Cornerback Alontae Taylor will miss some time at the beginning of the season, so head coach Kellen Moore is looking for someone to step up in the secondary. 4^th Round draft pick and Defensive back Quincy Riley says he will do whatever is needed from him and is opening to playing anywhere on the field.

Cut 18 (13) “…play it.”

The Saints return to play on Sunday where it will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in New Orleans. Head coach Kellen Moore has yet to name a starting quarterback.

Former LSU and SEC basketball player of the year Marcus Thornton is joining the LSU Men’s Basketball Support Staff for the 2025 season. Thornton will serve in an off-court role in mentoring players and assisting in the player development aspect of the program under head coach Matt McMahon.

Thornton led the SEC in scoring as he averaged 21.1 points per game in the 2008 season, helping him earn All-American honors.

LSU junior cornerback Ashton Stamps has been part of the past two disappointing defenses the Tigers have put out on the field. A key to improving LSU’s defense is its ability to get pressure to the quarterback. Stamps says he is noticing the defensive line unit is getting more consistent pressure which is allowing him and the corners to make plays easier.

Cut 18 (18) “…right away.”

The Washington Nationals are returning former first-round pick and former LSU outfielder Dylan Crews from rehabilitation assignment. Crews is reinstated on the roster after dealing with an oblique injury that kept him out since May 20^th. With Crews coming back, the Nationals are designating first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for assignment. The Nationals currently have the second-worst record in the MLB with 48 wins and 72 losses.

ULM finished with the 84^th total defense in college football last season, giving up 384 yards a game. Second-year defensive coordinator Earnest Hill was nominated for the Broyles Award in 2024 after improving his unit significantly from the 2023 season. Hill says he has placed a huge emphasis on the development of his defensive line after bulking up in the spring.

Cut 20 (18) “…pass game.”

The New Orleans Pelicans released its schedule for the 2025 season. The Pelicans will open its season in Memphis where it will face the Grizzlies on October 22^nd. The Pelicans will face former first pick Victor Wembenyama and the San Antonio Spurs in its home opener on Friday October 24^th.  Another notable matchup includes Lebron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers  coming to New Orleans for an NBA cup matchup on November 14^th at 7 p.m.

Joe Sloan enters his second year as the offensive coordinator for LSU. Sloan is going to have much more talent to work with this year at the wide receiver position.  Last year, the Tigers weren’t much of a vertical threat in the pass game, but with the help of fifth-year senior Chris Hilton, Sloan says the Tigers can add another element to its offense.

CUT 19 (19): “good football” (OL)

The Associated Press released its preseason top 25 for the 2025 college football season. Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers will start the season as the number 9 team in the country. Other Louisiana schools that received votes for the top 25 were the Tulane Green Wave with 23 votes and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with one vote.

The New Orleans Saints lost its first preseason game against the Chargers on Sunday by a score of 27 to 13. The highlight of the game for the Saints was rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton. Tipton is in his second season out of Yale and Moore likes what he sees from the wide out.

CUT 17 (10): “with us.”

Shough ended his first NFL preseason game by completing 15 of his 22 passes for 165 yards with one passing touchdown and an interception. Shough’s interception was a costly one, where Chargers defensive back Eric Rogers took it 43 yards for a touchdown. Shough says he would make the same throw 9 times out of ten and gave credit to Rogers.

CUT 21 (11): “finish more.”

Breaking news coming out of Baton Rouge as LSU freshman running back JT Lindsey has turned himself in to university police Friday afternoon. Lindsey, the Alexandria native, is accused of allowing two teenagers wanted on second-degree murder charges to stay at his dorm on LSU’s campus earlier this year. Lindsey came to Baton Rouge as the nation’s number 9 running back.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly says that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will be just fine. After speaking with the media, he shut down rumors of any possible serious injury and stated that Nussmeier is dealing with patellar tendinitis. Kelly jokingly says that the quarterback will not need any serious repairs.

CUT 12 (7): “his leg”

The New Orleans Saints look to rejuvenate its offense after finishing 21^st in total offense last season. The Saints are hoping that it can get big production out of a very loaded wide receiver room. Chris Olave enters his fourth season with New Orleans and is looking for a bounce back year after battling with injuries. Head coach Kellen Moore says Olave brings special talent to the field.

CUT 17 (15): “move forward.”

With the New Orleans Saints facing the Chargers in its first preseason game, NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson says the preseason can be an opportunity to find out its rotation.

CUT 18 (15): “starting 22”

LSU football fans were sent into a panic on Wednesday after a rumor on social media stated quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was seriously injured during practice. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne shut down those rumors after confirming with sources that said Nussmeier avoided any serious injury.

CUT 13: “off the field”

In case there were another scare, LSU wants to make sure its backup quarterbacks are ready to go. Head coach Brian Kelly says the two quarterbacks have potential but both have to be much more consistent at practice.

CUT 18 “big mistakes”

Earlier this week, University of Louisiana Monroe football coach Bryant Vincent was named as the school’s new athletic director. Vincent’s 5 and 1 start with the Warhawks last season sparked a new era in Monroe.  The new position comes with a heavy responsibility as he is not only responsible for overseeing his own football team, but all of ULM’s sports. Vincent believes that he is the right man for the job.

CUT 9 (9): “time calls”

Fishers will be glad to hear that catch limits for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico are now increased, effective immediately. Andy Strelcheck, the regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, says the Gulf Council requested that NOAA Fisheries take this action for the rest of the year.

CUT 6 (11) : “than previously estimated.”