4:45 LRN Sportscast

Eighth-ranked LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow, as both schools come off massive week one blowout wins. Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt passed for 230 yards and a touchdown and ran for 113 yards and two scores in the 51-10 win over Clemson. Left tackle Jordan Seaton was impressed.

Cut 20 (08) “…father we go.”

The Bulldogs beat Northwestern State 80-6 last week. Quarterback Blake Baker was 10-for-14 for 232 yards and three touchdowns at halftime. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says the Tigers need to be ready for their best.

Cut 12 (13) “…next year.”

Kickoff is set for 6:30. LSU reports that Tiger Stadium has been sold out for the second week in a row.

The 60th season of Saints football kicks off Sunday against the Lions. Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs was named to his third straight Pro Bowl last season after totaling over 18-hundred scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley says he’s a weapon no matter what he’s doing.

Cut 18 (18) “…very complete player.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is questionable with an MCL sprain after being limited in practice all week.

Louisiana college football kicks off tomorrow at 2:30 when ULM visits UAB.

At 6:00, Southern goes to number-22 Houston, Southeastern Louisiana hosts North Alabama, McNeese faces Tarleton State, Nicholls welcomes UTRGV and Northwestern State visits East Texas A-and-M.

Grambling heads to TCU at 7:00, and UL Lafayette plays at 14th-ranked USC at 10:00.

3:30 LRN Newscast

OMV offices across the state will be closed on Monday as the office installs new driver’s license and reinstatement transaction systems this weekend. OMV Commissioner Keith Neal says the department’s website and L-A Wallet will be inaccessible starting Saturday.

Cut 5 (10) “…this massive cutover.”

Offices are expected to reopen Tuesday.

25 years ago today, Barksdale Air Force Base was the emergency host of President George W. Bush in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as Air Force One needed a high-security military installation. The current commander of Barksdale Air Force Base, Colonel Chris Cain, says while the staff at Barksdale did not anticipate accommodating the President that day, they were prepared for it.

Cut 7 (13) “…on that day.”

A new poll from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children reveals childcare providers in the state are struggling to stay open due to rising costs. Chief of Research and Policy Heather Cope says staffing is also a challenge because the average annual pay for lead teachers is just under 29-thousand dollars. She says this survey makes it clear that Louisiana needs sustained investments in early childhood programs and educators to allow parents to work, businesses to operate and children to thrive…

Cut 11 (11) “…for families”

Number-eight LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow at 6:30. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 23-7 last year, but both teams look a lot different this time around. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin says they need to be prepared for their best.

Cut 12 (13) “…next year.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Eighth-ranked LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow. LA Tech beat Northwestern State 80-6 in its opener. Wide receiver Dedrick Latulas had two catches for ten yards and a touchdown and a 58-yard punt return touchdown. He says he’s excited to play in a sold-out Tiger Stadium, but the Bulldogs are not intimidated by LSU.

Cut 15 (11) “…with a W.”

LSU did not receive any punishments from the SEC after a meeting of presidents and chancellors yesterday. The conference released a statement that said officials will continue to “discuss recent matters involving conference expectations and responsibilities” as member institutions work towards a resolution.

The Saints kick off the season against the Lions this weekend. They will be without defensive end Cameron Jordan as he recovers from a hamstring injury and first-round rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who is not eligible to return from IR until week five.

ULM is back in action tomorrow versus UAB. The Warhawks are coming off a 62-13 loss to Mississippi State. Head coach Bryant Vincent says the Bulldogs are easily the most talented team they’ll face all season, but he expects a similar style of play from the Blazers.

Cut 20 (19) “…the red zone.”

Country Day quarterback Jack Grace set a new Louisiana High School state record with nine touchdown passes last night against Willow. The Cajuns beat the Lions 70-35.

Cecilia beat Teurlings Catholic 44-21 in Lafayette. Four-star LSU commit Braylon Calais had three touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

U High fell 38-21 to Madison Prep. The Cubs are now 0-and-2 after starting the season as the top-ranked team in class three-A.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU will look to continue its hot start against Louisiana Tech this weekend. The Tigers’ offensive line looked much improved in the 51-10 win over Clemson. LSU allowed zero sacks and racked up 309 rushing yards, almost double last year’s season-high 166 yards versus South Carolina. Colorado transfer left tackle Jordan Seaton says running back Dilin Jones played a big hand in that too.

Cut 17 (12) “…level untouched (2x).”

The Tigers and Bulldogs kick off at 6:30. Death Valley will have a sold-out crowd for the second straight week.

Former LSU center Kate Koval is entering the transfer portal after leaving LSU before the start of classes. The NCAA granted Koval a waiver to play at a new school this season after she withdrew from LSU following the signing of Russian forward Anna Minaeva. Koval’s father serves in the Ukrainian military, and she chose not to play with the Russian 17-year-old to stay true to herself, her family and her country.

The Saints open the season on Sunday against the Lions. Quarterback Tyler Shough will look to take the next step leading the offense in his first full offseason as the starter. The Saints’ first team did not play in the preseason, but he says he got plenty of work in during training camp.

Cut 20 (17) “…any negative plays.”

Shough went 5-and-4 as the starter last season and averaged 250 passing yards a game. Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said Shough was the team’s highest-rated quarterback in last year’s draft, over top-overall pick Cam Ward.

Running back Alvin Kamara was limited for a second practice after returning from an MCL sprain. Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was added to the Saints’ injury report as he missed practice for a regularly scheduled rest day.

New Orleans kicks off the season in Detroit at noon Sunday.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

SEC presidents are no longer slated to vote on expelling LSU from the conference at their meeting today. The legal fight between LSU and the SEC is nearing an end after the Tigers chose not to roster former NFL signees, Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, but Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the fact that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey threatened to kick LSU out of the conference still doesn’t look good.

Cut 13 (11)  “…Greg Sankey is.”

The Saints kick off the season at Detroit on Sunday. Running backs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller returned to practice yesterday. Kamara was limited with an MCL sprain he suffered three weeks ago, but quarterback Tyler Shough says he’s as explosive as ever.

Cut 18 (12) “…feeding those guys.”

The Saints and Lions kick off at noon Sunday.

UL Lafayette is traveling to 14th-ranked USC this weekend. The Cajuns kicked off the season with a 38-7 win over Lamar. Junior quarterback Lunch Winfield was 16-for-22 for 189 yards and two interceptions but added 84 yards and two scores on the ground. Head coach Michael Desormeaux does not blame Winfield for the interceptions and says he was pleased with his 73-percent completion rate and smart decision-making.

Cut 17 (18) “…as the starter.”

Former LSU national champion pitcher Kade Anderson earned his first Major League win yesterday. He allowed one earned run and six hits and struck out five batters in the six innings during the Mariners’ 3-2 win over the Rangers. He is now 1-and-1 through four starts with a 4.29 ERA and 16 total strikeouts.`

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU added cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford to its roster, filling the final two spots the team had left to possibly add Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris later this season after they won a preliminary injunction to return last week. The move comes after the SEC sued LSU to prevent them from adding the players and announced a vote to expel the school from the conference tomorrow. Tony Clayton represents the athletes and says LSU never broke any rules.

Cut 4 (09) “…is made of.”

A hearing in the SEC’s lawsuit is set for 1:00 this afternoon in Birmingham.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2027 induction class featuring former LSU football stars Leonard Fournette, Patrick Peterson and Henry Thomas, Tigers baseball players Ryan Theriot and Aaron Hill, horse racing legend Robbie Albarado and ULM women’s basketball all-time leading scorer Lisa Ingram. The class will be enshrined June 26 in Natchitoches.

LSU wide receiver Winnie Watkins racked up 110 yards and a touchdown in his first game at LSU after transferring from Ole Miss this offseason. He says LSU has been everything it was advertised to be.

Cut 20 (19) “…everything they say.”

That crowd welcomes Louisiana Tech Saturday. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says there is a lot of good from their 80-6 win over Northwestern State to take with them to Baton Rouge against a tougher opponent.

Cut 16 (15) “…protect the football.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU moved up to number eight in the AP Poll and Coaches Poll after its 51-10 win over Clemson. The Tigers now sit directly ahead of Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama.

The SEC has updated its lawsuit against LSU regarding the program’s recruitment of players who spent time in NFL training camps to pave the way to expel LSU from the conference. The filed complaint claims the school has lost control of the football program and says conference CEOs will meet for a vote to terminate LSU’s membership on Thursday. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says it is an overreaction.

Cut 9 (13)  “…and angry.”

LSU still has not broken the SEC’s rule against signing ex-pros because Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were not listed on the team’s roster, but two spots were left open in case the team wanted to add them later in the season.

A hearing has been set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.

LSU set a record for first downs in a game with 38 as the Tigers churned out 644 total yards in its 51-10 win over Clemson. LSU’s offensive line struggled last season, and coach Lane Kiffin says this current group has room to improve.

Cut 19 (17) “…play really consistent.”

The Saints kick off the season in Detroit on Sunday. Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught over 100 passes in each of the last four seasons, and Saints head coach Kellen Moore says he is a premier player.

Cut 17 (16) “…a fun test.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The SEC has amended its Lawsuit against LSU, seeking the authority to expel the school from the conference. SEC CEOs are scheduled to meet Thursday to decide whether to terminate LSU as a member institution. The federal lawsuit was filed last week in regards to LSU’s recruitment of Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who both signed NFL contracts this summer. LSU did not list them on their roster for the Clemson game, per the SEC’s rule, but did leave two spots open.

After having poor rushing attacks the last two seasons, LSU showed in the blowout win over Clemson that it can run the football. Wisconsin transfer Dillon Jones had 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns and averaged nearly five yards a carry. Coach Lane Kiffin is not surprised by his success.

Cut 18 (15) “…front of us”

Louisiana is mourning the loss of legendary pro and college football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio, who passed away at the age of 65 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer just two weeks ago. Among many other things, Detillier co-hosted “The Second Guess” with former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, who was overcome with emotion talking about showing up to work yesterday knowing Detillier wasn’t there.

Cut 13 (14)  “…him there today.” (sobbing)

The Pelicans traded guards Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy, a second-round pick and a second-round pick swap to the Grizzlies for 21-year-old guard AJ Johnson and 41-year-old forward Taj Gibson. The Pels drafted Hawkins 14th-overall in 2023, but the former UConn sharpshooter averaged five points a game last season as his minutes were nearly halved. Peavy was a promising second-round pick last season, but the pair were moved to free up cap space for the signing of guard Bennedict Mathurin.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s almost time for LSU to kick off its season against Clemson. It will be Lane Kiffin’s first game leading the Tigers roster loaded with transfer talent. Quarterback Sam Leavitt will also play his first game in Tiger Stadium, and Kiffin says the number-one-rated transfer has lived up to the billing.

Cut 21 (14) “…been great.”

Kickoff is at 6:30 tomorrow.

Southern coach Marshall Faulk will also be making his first appearance in front of the home crowd when the Jaguars host Kentucky State. The first-year head coach says he doesn’t feel any added pressure to win at home.

Cut 22 (10) “…to do it.”

Grambling plays its second home game against Central State. Both games kick off at 6:00 tomorrow night

College football around the state is fully underway tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech opens the season at home against Northwestern State at 6:30. Demons head coach Blain McCorkle says he hopes his team can bounce back from a disappointing opener against Louisiana Christian in another regional rivalry game.

Cut 20 (13) “…game of it.”

UL Lafayette kicks off the season against Lamar at 7. Lamar opened its season with a 21-14 win over Abilene Christian last week. Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux says a strong offensive start is important against a veteran team that likes to run the ball.

Cut 19 (10) “…you want.”

ULM and Tulane both kick off the year with difficult road matchups. The Warhawks visit Mississippi State at 6:30, and the Green Wave faces Duke at 2:30.

At 6:00, Southeastern Louisiana visits South Alabama, Nicholls heads to Kansas State and McNeese hosts Texas Wesleyan.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry believes the SEC is unfairly targeting LSU in the legal battle over athletes seeking a fifth year of college eligibility. In an interview with Fox Business, Landry questioned why the SEC is not taking action against other schools, including Texas, which has offensive lineman Cole Hutson on its roster after he participated in two NFL rookie minicamps…

Cut 3 (10) “…LSU.”

The SEC has sued LSU in an effort to prevent the university from rostering players who spent time with NFL teams during training camp.

ESPN’s “College GameDay” is visiting LSU for its 500th road broadcast when the Tigers host Clemson tomorrow. LSU’s campus is already buzzing ahead of game day. The show starts at 8 and will feature Pat McAfee’s kicking contest and Franklin Parish native Lainey Wilson as the guest picker. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette expects a spectacle.

Cut 8 (08) “…on Saturday morning.”

Hyundai Steel is celebrating a ceremonial groundbreaking for its 5.8-billion-dollar plant near Donaldsonville this afternoon. Stephanie Malin with Hyundai Steel says there are several reasons why the company chose to build in Ascension Parish.

Cut 30 (12) “…in the community.”

This is a Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over weekend. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has made extra funds available to help local law enforcement agencies identify, stop and arrest drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Frank Besson says last year alcohol or drugs contributed to 34-percent of the state’s fatal crashes…

Cut 12 (09) “…right decisions.”