LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow at 6. A lot of young talent could make appearances against the Cowboys, as coach Lane Kiffin expressed concerns about keeping the starters healthy. Redshirt freshman safety Jhase Thomas made his first start last week and says he was able to get advice from a lot of veterans on the LSU defense as he prepared to face the Aggies.

Cut 18 (16) “…get myself prepared.”

The Tigers and Cowboys are scheduled to kick off at 6:45 in Tiger Stadium.

The Saints will be without running back Travis Etienne for at least the next four weeks after he was placed on injured reserve. Head coach Kellen Moore says the team will turn to Lavin Kamara and Kendre Miller.

Cut 21 (10) “…these guys.”

New Orleans signed former Ole Miss running back Ulysses Bentley to the practice squad.

Former LSU Heisman winner Jayden Daniels has been ruled out for the Commanders’ matchup with the Colts on Sunday. It is the second straight week Daniels will be sidelined with a dislocated left elbow. He chose not to have surgery on the elbow and plans to wear a brace so he can come back as soon as possible.

Louisiana Tech returns from the bye week with a home game against Army. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie did not confirm whether starting quarterback Blake Baker would be back from a fractured throwing hand he suffered against LSU. Trey Kukuk started against Baylor, and Cumbie says the offense is the same no matter who is under center.

Cut 20 (15) “…of the football.”

Kickoff in Joe Aillet Stadium is at 6:30.

UL Lafayette and ULM both open Sun Belt play tomorrow. The Warhawks head to South Alabama to face the Jaguars at 6, and the Ragin’ Cajuns host Arkansas State at 7.

In the Southland, Northwestern State goes on the road to face Lamar, and Nicholls visits Houston Christian at 6.

In SWAC play, Grambling hosts Alcorn State at 2:00, and Southern welcomes Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:00.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is back from a trip to Japan, where he fed Japanese people gumbo and Tabasco ice cream.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Board of Regents member Wilbert Pryor made waves when he suggested that ULL, ULM and Louisiana Tech drop down from the FBS to the FCS to reduce athletics costs, as all three schools are 10s of millions in the red. He told KSLA-TV in Shreveport that he did not expect as much fan pushback as he has received for his comments in a closed budget meeting. Some fans have gone as far as to support an online petition asking for Pryor’s resignation from the board.

The Saints are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the “Domecoming” against the Falcons on Monday. Although kickoff is not until 7:15, the celebration begins at 4:00 in Champions Square, where Steve Gleason’s new music album, “Rebirth,” will debut. Shirin Braden, the VP of brand strategy for the Saints, says Irma Thomas will sing the national anthem, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will headline a halftime show featuring Eric Church, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile and Cyril and Ivan Neville.

Cut 11 (08) “…to the dome.”

Just over a month away from the November 3rd election, the U.S. Senate race between Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis is in the final stretch. Letlow was believed to be the heavy favorite, but the only two opinion polls publicly released during the campaign show her leading by only four percentage points. Davis’s campaign commissioned both polls, and he says the margin in the latter poll was the response before respondents were told of the candidates’ backgrounds.

Cut 15 (07) “…a plus-nine.”

Letlow calls it a bogus poll

LSU redshirt freshman safety Jhase Thomas made his first career start against Texas A&M and could make his second against McNeese on Saturday. The Destrehan product made four tackles and defended one pass against the Aggies. He says he’s learned from his father Fred Thomas, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the Saints.

Cut 20 (16) “…whole life.”

11^th-ranked LSU kicks off against McNeese on Saturday night at 6:45 in Tiger Stadium

Former LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She led the league with 12.1 rebounds a game and became the first player in WNBA history to grab 500 boards in a single season. She also ranked third in the league in steals. Her Atlanta Dream punched their ticket to the WNBA semifinals with a 93-75 win over the Mystics last night.

3-and-1 UL Lafayette kicks off Sun Belt action with a big West Division game against Arkansas State on Saturday. The Cajuns have the top-ranked total defense in the conference and the second-best scoring defense. Head coach Michael Desormeaux says the staff has put together game plans that allow the players to execute well, and that’s what they’re doing.

Cut 16 (18) “…sound on it.”

Louisiana Tech hosts Army for its final non-conference game on Saturday. The Black Knights have the number-one run game in the country, so Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says the secondary will need to step up against the run.

Cut 19 (09) “…run attack.”

ULM opens Sun Belt play at South Alabama.

LSU hosts McNeese this weekend. Cowboys head coach Matt Viator says he and many of his players are from Louisiana, so they’re excited for the opportunity to play in Tiger Stadium. For many athletes at FCS schools, big games like this are a chance for athletes to put their best on film against a Power Four opponent, but Viator says he won’t be worried about roster retention when his team takes the field.

Cut 20 (14) “…we’re in now.”

The LHSAA has suspended the Carroll High School football team for the rest of the season and barred Assumption High from hosting any more home games this year. The penalties come after a brawl broke out between Carroll players and Assumption fans following Mustangs’ 16-6 home win last Friday. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich…

Cut 9 (14)  “…games this year.”

UL Lafayette opens its Sun Belt schedule against Arkansas State. The Red Wolves are 2-and-2 to start the season, coming off a 17-14 win over Kennesaw State. Third-year quarterback Trey Owens is fifth in the conference with over 800 passing yards this year. Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux says they’re a good team still finding their offensive identity.

Cut 18 (14) “…up front too.”

Just months after Louisiana Tech officially joined ULL and ULM in the Sun Belt, a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents is suggesting all three drop to the FCS. Shreveport Attorney Wilbert Pryor made the suggestion during a recent UL system budget hearing, citing concerns about how much money the schools’ athletics programs lose each year.

Cut 4 (09) “…10-million-dollars.”

Louisiana Tech hosts Army, and ULM visits South Alabama this weekend.

11th-ranked LSU hosts McNeese on Saturday. The Tigers rank 3rd in the nation in total defense, as they’re getting great contributions from older players and freshmen like defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. Geralds is second on the team in sacks with four, and linebacker Davhon Keys says he’s been impressive since he stepped foot on campus.

Cut 18 (15) “…the big screen.”

The Cowboys are coming off their second win of the season. Head coach Matt Viator says he is more focused on his team than the Tigers.

Cut 20 (13) “…football team too.”

Kickoff in Tiger Stadium is set for 6:45.

Northwestern State has another tough draw with a trip to Lamar on the slate for this Saturday. The Cardinals are 3-and-1 to start the season, and Demons head coach Blaine McCorkle says they are the best FCS team they have played so far. NSU quarterback Zach Wilcke threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns against Southeastern and McCorkle says the offense is improving.

Cut 19 (19) “…young playmakers.”

Nicholls will also hit the road to take on Houston Christian. Both teams are 1-and-1 in conference play.

In the SWAC, Southern and Grambling are both prepping for their homecoming weekends. Grambling hosts Alcorn State. Starting quarterback RJ Johnson is expected to miss his second straight game. Head coach Mickey Joseph says Jacobe Robinson will get the start, but Ashton Frye will play as well. The Jaguars welcome Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Both teams are searching for their first conference win.

With Whit Weeks out for the foreseeable future, LSU junior linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys is expected to replace Weeks in the starting lineup. Keys has plenty of experience, as he started five games his freshman year and filled in for Weeks when he was injured last year. Keys says Weeks brought a lot of energy to the defense, and he needs to do the same.

Cut 16 (11) “…and speak up.”

The Tigers kick off against McNeese at 6:45 on Saturday.

The Pelicans held their first day of practice yesterday. After winning only 26 games last season, New Orleans welcomed former Magic head coach Jahmal Mosley to lead the team. Forward Zion Williamson says he has already developed a great relationship with the team in the offseason.

Cut 21 (11) “…mean a lot.”

The Ples tip off the season against the Pacers October 21.

ULM fell to 0-and4 after a 53-17 loss to FAU and has now lost 12 straight. The Warhawks open Sun Belt play at South Alabama this Saturday. The Jaguars hung around with Kentucky in a 45-21 loss last week. ULM head coach Bryant Vincent says the team needs to clean up its mistakes as a new season kicks off.

Cut 20 (12) “…South Alabama team.”

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Louisiana is the first state to have a special black-bellied whistling duck season, which opens Saturday and runs through October 11^th. Shooting hours will be sunrise to sunset, and there is a bag limit of four and a possession limit of 12. LDWF Assistant Secretary Tommy Tuma says all hunters participating in the season will be required to have a free, black-bellied whistling duck hunting permit from LDWF.

Cut 9 (09)  “…whistling duck permit.”

Hunters are required to report effort and harvest within 15 days of the season’s closure.

Weeks broke his leg in the 35-6 win over Texas A&M. Coach Lane Kiffin says he will miss a lot of time after undergoing surgery yesterday. He says it is a devastating blow for the defense and for Weeks, who chose to return for his senior season instead of going to the NFL draft.

Cut 17 (13) “…rolling into you.”

Junior Davhon Keys will be the starter next to TJ Dottery with Weeks out. Keys came into the game against the Aggies and helped make a stop on fourth-and-one. He says he had to stay ready to back up his teammate.

Cut 20 (15) “…ride for him.”

The Protect College Sports Act is headed to the House after passing through the Senate yesterday. The bill gives antitrust protection to the NCAA, caps conference membership at 20 schools, helps regulate N-I-L and revenue-sharing and ends unlimited transfers for athletes. Opponents of the act argue that it unfairly limits the earning potential of athletes without the same limits on coaches or schools’ revenue.

The Saints will look to bounce back from a disappointing 35-27 loss to the Raiders in their first divisional game versus the Falcons on Monday. New Orleans blew an 11-point second-half lead versus the Raiders with four fourth-quarter turnovers. Tight end Juwan Johnson says that has to change.

Cut 21 (12) “…or you learn.”

The Saints and Falcons kick off on Monday at 7:15 in an anniversary game for the 2006 Domecoming, celebrating 20 years since Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt.

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks underwent successful surgery on his fractured leg yesterday and is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks. The Tigers will turn to junior Davhon Keys at linebacker. Coach Lane Kiffin says he will need to do that again this year.

Cut 18 (15) “…to step up.”

The Senate voted 77-22 to pass the Protect College Sports Act, so the bill will now head to the House. The act provides N-I-L guardrails, limits athletes to just one transfer without having to sit out a season, and gives the NCAA antitrust protection to enforce rules. Louisiana senator John Kennedy voted in favor of it but says it favors the universities.

Cut 8 (10) “…athletes can make.”

The Saints yet again found themselves on the wrong end of controversial officiating during their 35-27 loss to the Raiders on Sunday. In a play that reminded many fans of New Orleans’ reversed forced fumble against the Lions, quarterback Tyler Shough was strip-sacked on a crucial third down, and the Raiders took the lead after the turnover. Shough says he disagreed with the decision to let the call stand.

Cut 19 (12) “…get it done.”

The Pelicans are a week away from tipping off the preseason under new head coach Jahmal Mosley. Star forward Zion Williamson says he is not where he wants to be in his NBA career, but he emphasized expanding his shot selection this summer.

Cut 22 (16) “…going in.”

LSU senior linebacker Whit Weeks broke his leg during the Tigers’ 35-6 domination of Texas A&M, and head coach Lane Kiffin did not have an update on his return after he underwent surgery. But Kiffin says he will miss a lot of time, if not the rest of the season. It is a major loss for a defense that already lost starting defensive back Dashawn Spears to a season-ending injury. Star tight end Trey’Dez Green is also sidelined for significant time. Kiffin says the injuries are piling up.

Cut 9 (07)  “…step up.”

Wide receiver Jackson Harris did. He set a career high with 163 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns. On defense, D-tackle Deuce Geralds was named SEC Freshman of the Week after sacking Marcel Reed twice.

After unlikely fourth-quarter comebacks in the first two games, the Saints got a taste of their own medicine in a 35-27 loss to the Raiders. New Orleans gave up 13 points and turned the ball over four times in the final quarter to fall to 1-and-2. The black and gold will host the Falcons on Monday night next week.

UL Lafayette defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore racked up seven tackles, a TFL, two pass breakups, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in the Cajuns’ 34-7 win over Charlotte.

McNeese linebacker Landon Barrett as the Southland Conference defender of the week.  He made his first career interception and tallied a season-high 11 tackles in the Cowboys’ 27-24 win over East Texas A&M.

Northwestern State lost its 16th in a row on Saturday, falling to Southeastern Louisiana 52-21. Even though the losses keep coming, Demons coach Blaine McCorkle believes the program is heading in the right direction.

Cut 19 (12) “…every single day.”

ULM dropped its 12th straight game with a 45-17 loss to FAU.

Tulane notched its second win against the Sun Belt this season with a 24-21 comeback victory against Southern Miss.