Tenth-ranked LSU heads to Kentucky in search of its first win in Lexington since the Bluegrass Miracle in 2002. The Tigers are second in the nation in total defense even after losing key starters Whit Weeks and Dashawn Spears. Linebacker TJ Dottery has stepped up to lead the defense, and he says Davhon Keys and Tylen Singleton are playmakers in the middle as well.

Cut 20 (15) “…going it’s awesome.”

Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

The Saints host the undefeated Vikings on Sunday. New Orleans will be without starting linebacker Kaden Elliss and run-stuffer Anfernee Jennings again, and running back Alvin Kamara, safety Julian Blackmon, and wide receiver Barion Brown are questionable.

Vikings receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are both questionable, and starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw is out.

Louisiana Tech makes its long-awaited Sun Belt football debut against UL Lafayette this weekend. Bulldogs defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogens shared the statement the d-line wants to make in their first conference game.

Cut 21 (11) “…line of scrimmage.”

The teams have met 87 times going back to 1910 but have only played four times since 2000. The Cajuns are 4-and-1 and sit atop the Sun Belt West this season.

The rivalry will have even more at stake thanks to the announcement of the Governor’s Cup. Jeff Landry announced the competition between ULL, ULM and LA Tech.

Cut 4 (12) “…games begin.”

Southeastern will be the only Louisiana Southland team in action. The Lions visit UTRGV at 7:00.

In the SWAC. Southern heads to Prairie View A&M at 3:00, and Grambling hosts Jackson State at 4:00.

Tenth-ranked LSU will hit the road for the second time this season to face Kentucky tomorrow. The Tigers lost their first away game at Ole Miss because of a slow start and offensive mistakes. Center Braelin Moore says they’ve been practicing with music so loud you can’t hear the huddle.

Cut 18 (16)  “…games doing that”

The Saints’ blowout loss to the Falcons on a night celebrating the 20th anniversary of the reopening of the Superdome left a bad taste in the mouths of the team and fans. Defensive end Chase Young says that’s a good thing to have as they prepare to host the undefeated Vikings on Sunday.

Cut 16 (16) “…on our back.”

Former Saints head coach Mike Ditka passed away at the age of 86 today. The Hall of Fame tight end and coach led the legendary 1985 Bears to a Super Bowl title and went 15-33 during his three seasons in New Orleans.

Louisiana Tech will host its first Sun Belt Conference football game against UL Lafayette tomorrow. A rivalry that began in 1910 will be renewed for the first time since 2015. Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says games like this are why they joined the conference.

Cut 7 (11) “…been really special.”

Ivey says over 20-thousand fans are expected to attend.

Governor Jeff Landry announced the new Governor’s Cup for the rivalry among Tech, ULL and ULM. Whoever finishes the season with the best head-to-head record will take home the trophy.

Cut 3 (07) “…in this state.”

With the November 3^rd elections right around the corner, it’s time voters do their homework on the 10 constitutional amendments on the ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says Amendment 8 is one that received very little attention in the last legislative session. He says it would prohibit private companies connected to countries deemed foreign adversaries from expropriating private property.

Cut 5 (06) “…it’s never happened.”

Louisiana surpassed its goal of 85-thousand post-secondary credentials by 2030 with four years to spare. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says the state is also at a record 54-percent attainment, the percentage of in-state residents holding a credential higher than a high school diploma, but the job’s not done – achieving their goal of 60-percent by 2030 is of utmost importance.

Cut 15 (10) “…across our state.”

The State Fire Marshal unveiled a new fire safety mascot, Pelly-Can. Kory Leo, the office’s director of community risk reduction, says the mascot is a concept conceived by John Cailleteau (KYE-tow), who recently joined the community risk reduction department.

Cut 11 (09) “…that we’re doing.”

Over 20-thousand fans are expected in Ruston this weekend as Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette renew a rivalry that began over 100 years ago, now as Sun Belt Conference foes.  It will be Tech’s first October Saturday home game since 2020 after years of weekday Conference USA matchups. Bulldogs Athletics Director Ryan Ivey says he’s thrilled to host a weekend game that means a lot to both schools.

Cut 9 (11)  “…enjoy it.”

Kickoff in La Tech’s Joe Aillet Stadium is set for 6:30.

LSU will take on Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday. Something LSU fans may know a thing or two about — the Wildcats have struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this season. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers ran for 147 yards against them last week, and coach Will Stein says his defense needs to improve with Sam Leavitt coming to town.

Cut 20 (19) “…on third down.”

Running back Alvin Kamara and wide receivers Chris Olave and Barion Brown were back at Saints practice today after missing yesterday. Linebackers Kaden Elliss and Anfernee Jennings were still sidelined, and quarterback Tyler Shough was a full participant after being limited with a hand injury yesterday.

The LSU men’s basketball team takes on McNeese tonight in an exhibition game. All the proceeds from the trip to Lake Charles will go to the Cowboys’ basketball program. LSU and former McNeese coach Will Wade says he owes everything he has to the people of Lake Charles for sticking their necks out and saving his career by hiring him after he was fired by LSU.

Cut 15 (11) “…for their program.”

Tip-off is set for 6:30.

Week six of high school football kicks off across the state today. In Class 5A, tenth-ranked John Curtis hosts top-ranked Edna Karr, undefeated Thibodaux hosts 4-and-1 Destrehan and ninth-ranked Jesuit visits Chalmette.

In Class 4A, Leesville hosts Rayne

In 3A, the top two teams in the LSWA poll face off as number-one St. James hosts number two St. Charles; fourth-ranked Sterlington hosts tenth-ranked Loyola Prep

In Class 2A, tenth-ranked Mansfield hosts Lakeside

And In 1A,  4-and-1 St. John visits undefeated North Iberville

LSU will take on a familiar face when it heads to Kentucky this weekend. Kentucky’s offense is led by coordinator Joe Sloan, who was fired from LSU last season. Wildcats head coach Will Stein says he and LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker have familiarity coaching against one another, but…

Cut 18 (15)  “…what it is”

Southern is still searching for its first SWAC win under head coach Marshall Faulk. The Jaguars will have another tough conference game with a trip to defending champs Prairie View A&M Saturday. Faulk says his offense will need to be ready for a tough Panther defense.

Cut 16 (12) “…how they play.”

Kickoff was moved to 3 p.m.

Will Wade’s LSU basketball team tips off in an exhibition game at McNeese tonight at 6:30. You’ll have to wait a little longer to see the full roster, though. Wade told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday that he is only bringing eight players to Lake Charles as returning fifth-year seniors and international commits work through the NCAA eligibility process. Wade was confident almost all of them would be ready for the start of the regular season and says some of his players have former overseas teammates who have already gained eligibility.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to take.”

The Saints were not just emotionally bruised in the loss to the Falcons. 13 players were listed on yesterday’s injury report. Alvin Kamara, Kaden Elliss, Barion Brown and Anfernee Jennings did not practice, nor did Chris Olave, as he had a rest day. Carl Granderson and Noah Fant were both limited after being sidelined against Atlanta; Tyler Shough was limited with a left-hand injury, and Jaylan Ford and Lorenzo Style made their returns from injured reserve.

LSU faces Kentucky on the road this weekend. The Tigers have not won in Lexington since the Bluegrass Miracle in 2002. It will be LSU’s second away game of the season, and quarterback Sam Leavitt says the team has learned from the mistakes it made at Ole Miss.

Cut 17 (17) “…great job communicating.”

The Saints will look to rebound from a disappointing Monday night loss to the Falcons against the undefeated Vikings this weekend. Quarterback Tyler Shough says part of being a leader is being able to move on from losses.

Cut 22 (11) “…focus on.”

The LSU men’s basketball team tips off the preseason with an exhibition at McNeese tomorrow. It will be coach Will Wade’s first game leading the Tigers since he was fired in 2022. He told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club two major things have changed since then.

Cut 20 (13) “…with N-I-L.”

Wade said only eight players on his 15-man roster will play the Cowboys as former international pros and fifth-year seniors await eligibility rulings, but he is confident most if not all of them will be eligible when the regular season starts.

The LSU men’s and women’s basketball TV schedules were announced. The women’s team will have 17 nationally televised games, including non-conference games against UNC and UConn and 11 SEC matchups. The Tigers’ home game against Vanderbilt and trip to South Carolina will be on ABC. Most of the men’s team’s SEC schedule will be on SEC Network, and so will its November 22 game against UL Lafayette.

The LSU offense ranks third in the nation in yards per game and has not missed a beat with star tight end Trey’Dez Green sidelined. The Tigers are still looking for answers at his position, but quarterback Sam Leavitt says wide receivers have stepped up to replace his production.

Cut 18 (13)  “…comes their way.”

The tenth-ranked Tigers will take an SEC road trip to Kentucky on Saturday. The Wildcats are 4-and-1 under new head coach Will Stein. He has high praise for LSU coach Lane Kiffin.

Cut 21 (08) “…quarterback play.”

Former LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is signing to the Vikings practice squad after being cut by the Giants. He will have a trip home this weekend as New Orleans hosts Minnesota on Sunday. Former Tigers wideout Justin Jefferson could make his return for the Vikings after dealing with an ankle sprain.

UL Lafayette is 4-and-1 and first in the Sun Belt West after a last-second 23-20 win over Arkansas State. The Cajuns will have another big divisional game against rival Louisiana Tech this weekend. It’s the Bulldogs’ first Sun Belt game, but UL coach Michael Desormeaux says he’s been following their defense for years.

Cut 19 (14) “…they play physical.”

Tech coach Sonny Cumbie says that defense will be tested by Cajuns quarterback Lunch Winfield and his feel for the game.

Cut 20 (16) “…defensively.”

Winfield ranks first in the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns and second in rushing yards.

Kickoff in Ruston is set for 6:30.

LSU’s big 63-14 win over McNeese let a lot of backups see extended reps. Third-string quarterback Husan Longstreet saw some action under center and at punt returner. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he and his staff think outside the box as much as anyone.

Cut 18 (17)  “…things like that.”

With seven SEC games remaining, the Tigers will turn their focus to Kentucky this weekend, and quarterback Sam Leavitt says he’ll be fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered against Texas A&M.

Cut 21 (09) “…run around.”

Kickoff against the 4-and-1 Wildcats is set for 6:00.

The Falcons crashed New Orleans Domecoming 20th anniversary celebration with a 45-24 thrashing of the Saints. New Orleans turned in a disappointing performance, and quarterback Tyler Shough says there’s no way to sugarcoat it.

Cut 6 (13) “…eyes forward.”

The Saints host the 4-and-0 Vikings on Sunday

UL Lafayette visits Louisiana Tech this weekend in the Bulldogs’ first Sun Belt conference game. Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux says the Dogs play defense the way it’s meant to be played.

Cut 22 (16) “…good coaching.”

Kickoff in Ruston is set for 6:30.

The Saints fell flat in a game that was supposed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. By the fourth quarter, mostly Falcons fans were left in the stands as New Orleans fell 45-24 on Monday Night Football. Head Coach Kellen Moore…

Cut 10 (11) “…and move forward.”

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt had his highest completion percentage of the season in the Tigers’ 63-14 win over McNeese, despite still dealing with a hamstring injury, which coach Lane Kiffin says actually helped him stand in the pocket and deliver. He threw for 176 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, and Kiffin says the biggest help for his improved accuracy was better protection.

Cut 16 (16) “…play really consistent.”

Louisiana Tech quarterback Trey Kukuk threw for 185 yards and ran for 40 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 31-29 win over Army but injured his ankle near the end of the fourth quarter. Cumbie says Blake Baker, who was the starter before fracturing his hand against LSU, is ready to start when Tech welcomes UL Lafayette this weekend.

Cut 20 (19) “…gets this week.”

The Cajuns are 4-and-1 and sit atop the Sun Belt West after a last-second 23-20 win over Arkansas State on Saturday.

Preseason basketball has arrived. The Pelicans tip off against the Thunder in OKC tonight at 7. It will be the first Pels action for new head coach Jamahl Mosley and free agent addition Bennedict Mathurin.

On Thursday, we will finally get a full look at Will Wade’s LSU basketball roster as the Tigers head to Lake Charles to face McNeese in an exhibition game.