Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough got the starting reps in the Saints’ second practice as head coach Kellen Moore searches for his starter in a three-way position battle. The quarterbacks agreed balancing competitiveness with consistency is key. Shough says each will have their highs and lows.

Cut 16 (18) “…with them too.”

Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler was the first to throw an interception on a pass he meant to throw away. Rookie Quincy Riley made the play in the end zone.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died yesterday at the age of 71. Authorities responded to a morning call about cardiac arrest, and Hogan was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

Louisiana Tech is bringing new turf to the football stadium, and the field will now be known as Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium. The new field will replace the turf originally installed in 2015 and feature an Origin Bank logo at each 25-yard line. The blue Bulldogs end zones and midfield logo will remain the same, and installation is set to be finished by the end of July, before players report for camp.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was fired up in his address to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club. He says he has two goals: beating Clemson and competing for championships.

Cut 20 (13) “… a championship.”

Kelly has yet to win a season opener in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers have failed to start 1-and-0 since 2019. Clemson, though, has had similar troubles losing their last two openers. A loss to LSU would also be their fourth straight against SEC teams after three last year.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was fired up in his address to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club. He says he has two goals: beating Clemson and competing for championships.

Cut 20 (13) “… a championship.”

The Tigers will travel to South Carolina August 30.

LSU pitcher Kade Anderson signed an $8.8 million signing bonus with the Mariners. It’s the seventh-largest bonus in MLB draft history but falls roughly $700,000 short of the slot value at the number three overall pick

Tigers D-H Ethan Frey also signed his contract with the Astros for nearly one million dollars, almost 200 thousand dollars above his slot value at pick 95.

The Saints’ quarterbacks spoke for the first time after the team’s second training camp practice today. After a perfect day yesterday, Spencer Rattler threw the first interception of camp to rookie Quincy Riley on a pass he was trying to throw out the back of the endzone.  He says the quarterback room is supportive of one another, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t competition.

Cut 21 (07) “…built for this.”

Second-round Pick Tyler Shough got the starting reps today after Rattler did yesterday. The rookie says it’s important not to fall into the trap of one-upping each other.

Cut 22 (09) “…will happen.”

Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks and Alontae Taylor got into the first fight of camp after an incomplete pass in the end zone. Benches cleared, but the scuffle defused quickly. New Orleans will put pads on next week, and their first preseason matchup with the Chargers is scheduled for August 10.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday. He says for the first time in his career, he’s made it a focused goal to start 1-and-0. He says his players have the traits of excellence to get that done.

Cut 19 (19) “…to day basis.”

The Tigers kick off the season at Clemson August 30. After signing the nation’s top transfer class, Kelly says this is the best roster he’s put together in Baton Rouge, but Clemson returns 80% of production from last season, the most in FBS.

The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday. The Black and Gold won’t put the pads on until next week, but they’ll have a chance to get a first look at the new systems under head coach Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley’s 3-4 scheme will be a new look in New Orleans, and defensive end Cameron Jordan is optimistic.

Cut 18 (11) “…I like that.”

McNeese is renaming its football stadium to Navarre Stadium in the largest naming rights gift in school and Southland Conference history. McNeese will receive five-million dollars over the next ten years. Athletic Director Heath Schroyer says investment in McNeese is investment in Lake Charles.

Cut 10 (15) “…this region.”

Former Union Parish football star Trey Holly has enrolled at Southern University as a walk-on. He’s not allowed to play at LSU, because he faces felony charges from a shooting. Jaguars head coach Terrence Graves says Holly is ready to go.

Cut 12 (11) “…our program.”

Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today. After losing the season opener his first three seasons, Kelly has placed a big emphasis on beating Clemson week one. There are Clemson paw prints and videos up in the facility.

Cut 21 (14) “…get that done.”

The Saints opened training camp today. Veteran linebacker Demario Davis says it will be a fresh start under first-year head coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 22 (18) “…or not.”

The Saints are finalizing a deal with former Colts Safety Julian Blackmon to replace the retiring Tyrann Mathieu. The 26-year-old has 7 interceptions and 174 tackles in the last two seasons. He’ll partner with safety Justin Reid, whom the Saints signed to a three-year deal averaging $10.5 million earlier this offseason.

McNeese’s Cowboy Stadium is being renamed to Navarre Stadium in the largest naming rights contract in school and Southland Conference history. The $5 million naming rights agreement spans ten years between the school and Lake Charles philanthropist Ryan Navarre.

Following the surprise retirement of Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, the Saints are signing former Colts safety Julian Blackmon. The former third-round pick had 300 tackles and 10 interceptions in five seasons with the Colts.

The Saints began training camp today. The story of camp will be the three-way quarterback battle between Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. Rattler got the starting reps today. Running back Alvin Kamara says he saw a group anxious to be great.

Cut 21 (15) “…be good.”

Shough will get the starting reps tomorrow.

The only players absent from the first day of practice were tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau, who were both placed on the physically unable to perform list yesterday.

Sun Belt Media Days began with the West Division in New Orleans yesterday. UL-Lafayette was picked to win the West in the conference preseason poll. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) is looking to return to the Sun Belt championship after falling short last year.

Cut 16 (15) “…really want.”

Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie spoke at Conference USA Media Day yesterday. The Bulldogs are coming off a 5-and-8 season, in which they were able to back their way into a bowl game. Cumbie says it was most of the players’ first bowl experience.

Cut 19 (16) “…to another one.”

LSU and Saints legends Tyrann Mathieu and Jimmy Graham both announced their retirements today. Mathieu has spent 12 seasons in the NFL and the last three at home in New Orleans. He was a standout at St. Augustine High School and became the legendary “Honey Badger” in two electric seasons at LSU. Mathieu earned three Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections and was a member of the 2010s All-Decade team. Saints GM Mickey Loomis

Cut 20 (10) “…was fantastic.”

Graham was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2010 draft. He played 13 NFL seasons, earning five Pro Bowl selections. Graham retires as the fifth all-time touchdown scorer among tight ends and is tied for fourth among all Saints players.

The Saints reported for camp today and will begin practice tomorrow.

Sun Belt Media Days in New Orleans kicked off today. ULM started 5-and-1 before losing its last six under first-year head coach Bryant Vincent last season. Vincent says he built a culture players bought into despite growing pains.

Cut 14 (12) “…role in that.”

UL-Lafayette was picked to win the Sun Belt West in the conference preseason poll. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says there’s no secret to success.

Cut 16 (09) “…it takes work.”

Louisiana Tech boasted the twelfth-ranked total defense last season but had to replace coordinator Jeremiah Johnson. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says most of the D-line is new.

Cut 19 (10) “…get better.”

The Saints report for head coach Kellen Moore’s first training camp in New Orleans today. New Orleans-dot-football reporter Mike Triplett says it will be a true open battle for the starting quarterback spot between second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and second-round pick Tyler Shough.

Cut 7 (13) “…for this team.”

Rattler threw for over 13-hundred yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven appearances last season. New Orleans went 0-and7 in those appearances.

The Saints released their highly anticipated all-gold alternate jersey today. Returning for the first time since 2002, the gold base has white-lined black numbers and will be worn with black pants and the alternate black helmet. The new alternates will replace the team’s throwback uniforms.

McNeese was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference preseason poll. After ten seasons away from Lake Charles, head coach Matt Viator has returned to McNeese. He says he’s happy to be back home competing in the Southland Conference.

Cut 18 (15) “…special to me.”

Northwestern State was picked ninth out of ten teams. The Demons are one of the youngest teams in the country, with 50 incoming and redshirt freshmen. Head coach Blaine McCorkle says these young talents have been great for building a new culture in Natchitoches, but their development will take time.

Cut 17 (16)  “…want to build.”

Southland Conference coaches and players spoke to media in San Antonio today. Nicholls will open the season week zero in the first college football game played on American soil this season. Defending Southland Conference champions Incarnate Word will visit Thibodaux August 23. Colonels head coach Tommy Rybacki says it’s a big opportunity for the community, the program and his team.

Cut 7 (14) “…any other way.”

The Colonels were picked to finish fifth in the Southland preseason poll. Northwestern State was picked ninth, McNeese sixth and Southeastern third.

Lions head coach Frank Scelfo is welcoming back 25 seniors.

Cut 21 (07) “…with each other.”

Louisiana Tech redshirt senior linebacker Kolbe Fields was named the preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. Fields was an All-CUSA second team selection last season when he was second on the team with 71 tackles. Bulldogs head coach Sonny Cumbie will be joined by offensive lineman Landon Nelson and cornerback Cedrick Woods at C-USA media day tomorrow.

UL-Lafayette was picked to finish first in the Sun Belt West in the media preseason poll released today. The Cajuns had six preseason All-Sun Belt selections. Defensive lineman Jordan Lawson and D-B Tyree Skipper were named to the first team. Running back Bill Davis, offensive linemen Jax Harrington and George Jackson and linebacker Cameron Whitfield landed on the second team.

ULM was predicted last in the division. The Warhawks’ lone all-conference selection was first-team defensive lineman Kevontay Wells.

Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff announced his commitment to Tulane today. The junior left the Cougars after facing sexual assault allegations that were dismissed this offseason. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season as he led the Cougars to a 10-and-2 record.

Southland Conference Football Media Day is today in San Antonio. Southeastern was predicted to finish third in the Southland Conference in the preseason poll after finishing second last season. The Lions narrowly missed out on the playoffs and a conference championship after two three-point losses to ranked FCS opponents last year. This year, senior defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor says they’re focusing on the details to find those missing three points.

Cut 8 (14) “…handle business.”

The Lions will kick off the season at Louisiana Tech August 30.

Former Edna Karr football player Corey Adams was killed in Cordova, Tennessee on Saturday night. He was found fatally shot in a vehicle outside of a residence. Four other men were shot and taken to area hospitals. None are in critical condition.

Nicholls head coach Tommy Rybacki will lead the program for the first time this season after ten years as the Colonels’ defensive coordinator. Rybacki’s defense has consistently been one of the best in the Southland, and he’s looking to continue their success.

Cut 6 (10) “…next ten years.”

The Colonels are projected to finish fifth. They’ll open the season week zero in a nationally televised game against Incarnate Word August 23.

Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff will be walking on at Tulane. The transfer left the Cougars after facing a seven-game suspension for violating BYU’s honor code. Retzlaff was accused in a May lawsuit of raping a woman in 2023- allegations he denied. The suit was dismissed June 30, and Tulane has spent over a week vetting the junior. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the Cougars to a 10-and-2 record last season.

The American Athletic Conference also announced it would be changing its name to just the American Conference.

LSU was picked to finish fourth in the SEC preseason poll, just behind Alabama in third. Texas and Georgia took the top two spots in a rematch of last year’s SEC championship. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne thinks the folks in Atlanta got this one wrong.

Cut 14 (10) “…in the SEC.”

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was voted preseason All-SEC first team over LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who landed on the second team.

Cut 15 (10) “…by that one.”

LSU PA announcer Dan Borné is retiring after over 35 years as the voice of Tiger Stadium men’s basketball inside the P-MAC. Longtime voice of Alex Box Stadium, Bill Franques, took over duties last season when Borné took a leave of absence.

The Pelicans’ “sign one contract pick, get a free injury” promotion is still in effect. Thirteenth overall pick, Derik Queen, underwent successful wrist surgery on an injury suffered in a Summer League game against the Trailblazers. He will be reevaluated in 12 weeks, that’s just two weeks before the season is set to tip off.

Lafayette native Dustin Poirier will take on Max Holloway in his retirement fight Saturday. After a 16-year professional career, Poirier says he’s content with where the journey has brought him.

Cut 8 (10) “…in a good spot.”

The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Conference USA gave Louisiana Tech a 75% chance to make a bowl game in its first Bowl Confidence Index. The mark ranked fourth in the league behind Liberty, Western Kentucky and Jax State. The Bulldogs also had four players named to the preseason CUSA watchlist: offensive linemen Landon Nelson and Hayden Christman, linebacker Kolbe Fields and defensive back Cedric Woods.