A reason why LSU’s defense has underperformed the last couple of seasons is that the safety position has been a weak spot. But it appears the Tigers have upgraded that position with a couple of portal additions, Tamarcus Cooley and AJ Haulcy. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker…

Cut 18 (14) “….and communication”

Haucly was an All Big-12 selection last season at the University of Houston after recording 74 tackles and five interceptions.

Former Astro Alex Bregman hit a two run home run in the first inning in his return to Houston last night, but Bregman’s Red Sox fell short and lost to Houston seven to six.

Tonight, Paul Skenes will try to slow down the Milwaukee Brewers, who have won ten games in a row and the Brew Crew are 30 games over the five-hundred mark.

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Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin was brought in to jump-start a Louisiana Tech offense that was one of the worst in college football last season. Franklin has a good piece to work with in Eli Finley, who was named to the Mackey Award Watch list. The award goes to the best tight end in college football. He’s the team’s top returning pass catcher after catching 25 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. Franklin says the Texas native can also block…

Cut 20 (17) “…the country”

Saints backup offensive lineman Will Clapp could reportedly miss the season after suffering a foot injury on the second play of the game on Sunday. Clapp was starting at center for Erik McCoy, who was held out of the preseason opener. Clapp was expected to be a key depth piece this season.

LSU Sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson is listed as a quarterback on the roster, but he worked at running back in both individual and team periods yesterday. Because of the suspension to JT Lindsey, there’s a need for Johnson to play running back with the Tigers down to three scholarship players at that position.

Harold Perkins is looking good during preseason camp at the Star Position. It’s the position he told Blake Baker that he wanted to play during the offseason. The star allows Perkins to rush the passer or drop back in coverage. Baker says Perkins is tailor made for that job…

Cut 16 (16) “…this season”

Perkins is coming off a torn ACL injury, but looks ready to go for the season opener against Clemson.

Tony Franklin returns as Louisiana Tech’s offensive coordinator after serving in the same role under Sonny Dykes from 2010 to 2012. Franklin brings over 15 years of college coaching experience to the Bulldogs, where he is recognized for his ability to develop the quarterback position. With a quarterback battle between Blake Baker, Evan Bullock, and Trey Cook ongoing, Franklin likes what he sees from each player.

Cut 19 (21) “…for us.”

Alabama has named Ty Simpson as its starting quarterback. This is Simson’s fourth season with the Crimson Tide.

Saints backup offensive guard Will Clapp will reportedly miss significant time because of a foot injury suffered in the preseason opener. Training camp resumes for the Black and Gold today in California.

The Saints dropped their preseason opener to the Chargers 27 to 13 in Los Angeles yesterday. Spencer Rattler started at quarterback and in his five offensive drives, failed to put up any points. Tyler Shough led the Saints to a field goal at the end of the half, but threw a pick six in the third quarter, only to bounce back and throw a touchdown pass on the next drive. Coach Kellen Moore on Shough’s performance…

Cut 15 (12) “…really, really good.”

Shough threw for 165 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Rattler was just seven for 11 for 53 yards with zero touchdowns, zero interceptions and he lost a fumble.

The highlight of the game for the Saints was Shough’s 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton.

The Saints are staying in California for a few days to continue training camp and will return to New Orleans later this week to host the Jaguars on Sunday.

The Associated Press preseason Top 25 ranking was released this morning and the LSU Tigers are ranked ninth. Texas is ranked number one, followed by Penn State, Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia. Notre Dame is ranked sixth, Oregon seven and Alabama eighth.

Joe Sloan enters his second year as the offensive coordinator for LSU. Sloan is known for his ability to develop the quarterback position, most notably with 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. As Garrett Nussmeier transitions into his second year starting, Sloan says his quarterback’s improvements are coming from SEC experience.

Cut 18 (19) “…his growth.”

Nussmeier looked good in the scrimmage on Saturday despite dealing with tendinitis in his knee.

Outside of one long touchdown pass, it wasn’t a great performance by the Saints offense as they fell to the Chargers 27-13 in the preseason opener. Tyler Shough threw a pick six, but also threw a touchdown as the rookie threw for 165 yards.

Second-year pro Spencer Rattler started the game, but failed to produce any points in five drives. Rattler was seven for 11 for 53 yards with zero touchdowns, zero interceptions and he lost a fumble. Rattler is not pleased with his performance…

Cut 16 (16) “…throughout the game.”

The Saints also only rushed for 61 yards and allowed the Chargers to rush for 148 yards. New Orleans also lost the turnover battle three to one.

New Orleans next preseason game is Sunday at home against the Jaguars.

LSU freshman running back JT Lindsey has been suspended from the team following his arrest on Friday for allegedly allowing two murder suspects stay at his LSU dorm. The two teenage suspect have been arrested and Lindsey has been charged with two felony counts of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier participated in a scrimmage on Saturday, despite dealing with patella tendinitis.

And offensive coordinator Joe Sloan says they are seeing good competition for playing time at the offensive guard positions…

Cut 20 (15) “…is nice”

Saints second round pick Tyler Shough received first-string snaps at quarterback during practice yesterday in Irvine, California. Shough completed eight of 15 passes against the Saints starters on defense. Spencer Rattler was 8-of-11 on the day. New Orleans receiver Chris Olave on the progress the quarterbacks are making during camp…

Cut 19 (19) “…back there”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has patella tendonitis. He says it’s not a big deal and the minor injury stems from  a previous surgery. Kelly Nussmeier threw the football at practice today and is expected to practice tomorrow.

Joe Burrow looked really comfortable last night in the Bengals preseason opener against the Eagles. Burrow completed nine of ten passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase caught one of the touchdowns.

Saints veteran running back Alvin Kamara will not play in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Chargers. This will allow Kamara’s backups to get more work. Luke Johnson, who covers the Saints for the Advocate, says there’s a battle for backup running back between Kendre Miller, Cam Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Velus Jones Junior…

Cut 17 (17) “…two back approach”

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes pitched six shutout innings as the Pirates blanked the Reds seven to nothing last night. Skenes struck out eight as he improved his record to seven and eight and lowered his ERA to 1.94, which is the lowest in the Major Leagues.

I’m Jeanne Burns, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

Sources with the LSU football program say quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not sustain a major injury, when he sat out the last few reps of Wednesday’s practice. Thursday was a day off and the media is not allowed at today’s practice, but we’ll hear from offensive coordinator Joe Sloan following today’s practice.

Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says he’s been told Nussmeier is fine and that’s great news for LSU fans, because Nuss is essential for LSU getting to the playoffs…

Cut 19 (11) “…compromised”

Joe Burrow was in midseason form last night as he was 9 of 10 for 123 yards and two touchdown passes. One of the touchdown passes went to Ja’Marr Chase in a 34-27 loss to the Eagles in the preseason opener.

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletic director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent doesn’t look at Harwell’s resignation as a setback.

Cut 27 (10) “…come together.”

The Saints’ first preseason game is on Sunday against the Chargers. Everyone is watching the quarterback battle, but Luke Johnson, who covers the Saints for the Advocate, says who will be the third cornerback on this team is also up for grabs…

Cut 16 (19) “…as well”

Riley is a fourth-round pick out of Louisville. Kick-off on Sunday is at 3 PM.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is fine. That’s the word out of LSU after a rumor spread on the internet that Nussmeier suffered a serious injury towards the end of yesterday’s practice. LSU confirms Nussmeier did tweak his lower leg and but was only held out of practice as a precaution.

LSU brought in several new defensive linemen to contribute to defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s disruptive scheme. Coach Brian Kelly says the coaching staff has a lot of options.

Cut 17 (20)  “…pass rush now.”

The Saints offense looks to put out a dangerous product on the field with new head coach Kellen Moore. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (EE-lair) says Moore’s new system allows him to be the shifty back he knows he can be.

Cut 19 (19) “…is endless.”

The Saints practice this afternoon and tomorrow in Irvine, California as they continue preparations for their preseason opener against the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Southland Conference and ESPN have announced an extension of its media rights deal through 2031. The agreement guarantees five annual events on ESPN linear networks, including men’s basketball championship game, women’s basketball championship game, one men’s basketball tournament semifinal, one regular season men’s basketball game and at least one additional football, basketball, softball or baseball event.

I’m Jeanne Burns, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

You can’t believe everything you read on the internet. There was an internet rumor going around that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier possibly suffered a serious injury towards the end of yesterday’s practice. It is true Nussmeier did not finish the practice, but a source says it’s only because he tweaked something in his lower leg.

On3 reports Nussmeier was pulled from practice as a precaution. precaution. The Tigers have today off and will return to the practice field tomorrow.

It’s been a strong camp for sophomore cornerback PJ Woodland. Coach Brian Kelly likes Woodland’s versatility…

Cut 16 (16) “…brings that”

The Saints are in California, ahead of Sunday’s preseason game against the Chargers. New Orleans will practice today and tomorrow in Irvine. Coach Kellen Moore says this is not a break from training camp…

Cut 20 (17) “….for us”

It’s also NOT a joint practice with Los Angeles, they will wait until Sunday to compete against the Chargers.

The Saints have cut punter Matthew Hayball. Hayball handled the punting duties for the Black and Gold last season and averaged 44 yards a punt, which ranked 30^th in the NFL.

He was involved in a three-way competition in camp. Undrafted rookies James Burnip from Alabama and Kai Kroeger from South Carolina are now battling it out to be the Saints punter.

Fourth-string QB Hunter Dekkers replaces Hayball on the roster.

The Saints have released a depth chart ahead of Sunday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. It does not say who will start at quarterback, but the media covering camp say Spencer Rattler is outperforming Tyler Shough and Jake Haener.

At defensive end, Cam Jordan is starting at one end, while Carl Granderson and Chase Young are listed as co-starters at the other end. Jordan on the edge rushers on the roster…

Cut 26 (22) “…Arizona Cardinals”

The Saints will have two practices in Irvine, California, before playing the Chargers in the preseason opener on Sunday.

LSU has a deep wide receiver room. Coach Brian Kelly said last week that the Tigers have eight SEC caliber receivers. LSU also has a couple of pass catching tight ends in Trey’Dez Green and Oklahoma transfer Bauer Sharp. Kelly says Sharp’s experience and maturity are standing out.

Cut 17 (19)  “…the most.”

The Voice of Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band, B-J Bell, is  the first band announcer to land an NIL deal. Bell signed with Monroe-based Attorney Eddie Clark & Associates…

Cut 7 (13) “…NIL deal.”

I’m Jeanne Burns, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

The Saints have released their depth chart for the preseason opener against the Chargers and New Orleans does not give any indication on who will start at quarterback. The depth chart lists Spencer Rattler, or Tyler Shough or Jake Haener as the starter on Sunday.

How much will we see of LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry this season? Coming out of St. Martin’s High School in Metairie, Berry was ranked as the nation’s top rated running back. Coach Brian Kelly says Berry’s playing time will depend on his ability to adapt to the next level.

Cut 16 (18) “…playing here.”

Berry saw a lot of second team reps yesterday.

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UL-Lafayette had the Sun Belt’s second-best total defense in coordinator Jim Salgado’s first year with the program. The Cajuns lost first-team all-conference linebacker K.C. Ossai (O-sigh), but senior lineman Kadarius Miller says the defense is as stout as ever.

Cut 20 (19) “…pretty good.”

ULM announced head football coach Bryant Vincent has been named the interim Athletic Director following the surprise resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent was Hartwell’s most notable hire.

LSU women’s basketball team will host the defending SEC champion South Carolina on Valentine’s Day.

The West Caroll Dixie Youth Major League All-Stars were eliminated at the Dixie Youth Major League World Series losing to South Carolina and then Virginia.