4:45 LRN Sportscast

The 2024 NFL schedule comes out tomorrow night. The Saints will have home games against their NFC South Division rivals along with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, the Eagles, the Rams, the Raiders, Sean Payton and the Broncos and the Browns. New Orleans will visit its NFC South rivals and also make trips to Dallas, Green Bay, Kansas City, the Chargers and Giants.

The Saints will hold training camp this year at the University of California-Irvine and Nola-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan reports New Orleans will open the preseason schedule by visiting the Cardinals and then play the 49ers in San Francisco. There will also be joint practices against the defending NFC Champs before that game against San Fran.

ESPN has announced LSU’s season opener against the USC Trojans in Las Vegas will kick off at 6:30 PM on Sunday September first.

The W-N-B-A tips off a highly anticipated season tonight. Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky will open their season tomorrow in Dallas.

It’s the final week of the regular season in college baseball and there are a couple of games on the schedule tonight. Southeastern Louisiana hosts South Alabama. The Lions are coming off a sweep of U-I-W. McNeese plays its home finale tonight as the Cowboys take on Texas State. The Cowboys have won three conference series in a row to move from ninth in the Southland standings to fourth.

The Ragin Cajuns have moved up one spot to number 21 in the latest D-1 baseball poll. U-L Lafayette needs just one win to claim an outright Sun Belt regular season championship. The Cajuns begin a three-game series against South Alabama on Thursday.

LSU has an RPI of 34 and its strength of schedule is 21 as it gets ready to host Ole Miss for a three-game series starting on Thursday. 13 is the number that matters the most. The Tigers need to sweep Ole Miss to finish 13 and 17 to give them a legitimate shot of earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have announced the signing of defensive tackle Kendal Vickers and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick. Vickers appeared in two games with the Bills last season and spent three seasons with the Raiders. Patrick is a seven-year NFL vet who has started 54 games with the Packers and the Bears.

The NFL schedule will be released tomorrow night. Two games were confirmed yesterday. The season opener is Baltimore at Kansas City on September 5th. The Cowboys will kick off the regular season in Cleveland against the Browns. That will be Tom Brady’s debut in the broadcast booth for Fox.

Also, Tampa Bay has signed safety Antonio Winfield to an 84-million dollar deal, making him the highest paid defensive back in the NFL. And the Lions have signed quarterback Jared Goff to a four-year 212 million dollar contract.

Brett McMurphy with Action Network is reporting New Orleans is bidding to hold the College Football Playoff national championship in 2028.
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Former Ragin Cajuns star Spencer Arrighetti won his first major league game last night as Houston defeated the Oakland As nine to two. Arrighetti allowed two runs over five innings. Former LSU star Alex Bregman hit two home runs.

College baseball tonight…McNeese hosts Texas State and Southeastern Louisiana hosts South Alabama.

LSU gymnast Sierra Ballard has announced she’s returning for her final season with the Tigers. Ballard led off on floor in all 16 compeititions and averaged a 9.820 on beam for the year.

Home and away opponents for the 2024-25 season have been released for LSU men’s basketball. The Tigers will play Arkansas, Texas A-and-M, and Ole Miss home and away. They will host Auburn, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A-and-M, and Vanderbilt. LSU will visit Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas A-and-M.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team lost a tight one in Tuscaloosa yesterday and their chances of making the NCAA Tournament have shrunk. Alabama beat the Tigers four to three to win the series two games to one. LSU is 10-and-17 in the Southeastern Conference and will likely need to sweep Ole Miss this week in order to have a chance at an large bid to the NCAA Tourney.

U-L Lafayette and Louisiana Tech swept their opponents this past weekend. The Cajuns have clinched a share of the Sun Belt regular season title. While the Bulldogs are now tied for first place with Dallas Baptist in Conference USA. Tech will be at Liberty for a series that begins on Thursday.

Nicholls is now a game back of Lamar for first place in the Southland after taking two of three from the Cardinals. The Colonels wrap up the regular season with a series against McNeese in Thibodaux on Thursday. The Cowboys are 10-and-11 in the Southland.

LSU and U-L Lafayette will host their own NCAA Tournament Softball Regionals. LSU will welcome California, Southern Illinois and Jackson State. This is the Tigers eighth softball regional appearance in nine years. They are a nine national seed.

The Ragin Cajuns are a 13 seed and they will host a regional for the first time since 2016. U-L Lafayette will welcome Baylor, Ole Miss and Princeton to Lamson Park.

The LSU women’s track and field team won the SEC Championships in Gainesville. That’s the 14th outdoor conference title in program history.

West Monroe baseball won its third state championship in history with a five to one win over Barbe. And in Division Two select, Teurlings Catholic beat St. Louis Catholic three to two in 11 innings.

The NFL schedule will come out on Wednesday. It was announced today that Chiefs will host the Ravens in the regular season opener on September fifth.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers chances of making the NCAA Tournament took a major hit this past weekend as they dropped a series to Alabama. It started with a bad loss on Friday, blowing a late four-run lead and losing to the Crimson Tide eight to seven. LSU won Saturday, but dropped Sunday’s rubber game four to three. The Tigers are 10-and-17 and will likely need to sweep Ole Miss this week to give them a chance at a Regional berth.

The 22nd ranked Ragin Cajuns have clinched at least a share of the Sun Belt regular season title after beating Georgia Southern nine to two yesterday. Carson Fluno pitched six strong innings on the mound. U-L Lafayette wraps up the regular season by hosting South Alabama starting on Thursday.

La Tech swept Western Kentucky to move into a tie with Dallas Baptist for first place in Conference USA. The Bulldogs completed the sweep with a seven to one victory yesterday. Ethan Bates hit his 15th homer.
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At Saints rookie mini-camp, first round pick Taliese Fuaga (Tall-ee-s-a Foo-ah-gah) was working at left tackle. While at Oregon State, Fuaga played mostly right tackle. Former first round pick Trevor Penning will also get a chance to be the starter at left tackle.

The Saints have also reportedly signed veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick. The 30-year-old started 15 games for the Chicago Bears last season. He spent two seasons in Chicago and his first five years in the NFL were with the Green Bay Packers. He can play center and both guard positions.

Both LSU and U-L Lafayette softball will host regionals. The Tigers are a nine national seed and will host Cal, Southern Illinois and Jackson State. The Cajuns are a 13 seed and hosting for the first time since 2016. They will host Baylor, Ole Miss and Princeton.

Southeastern Louisiana, who is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever, is heading to the Tuscaloosa Regional.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Bad loss for the LSU Tigers last night as Alabama rallied from a four run deficit to beat LSU eight to seven. The Tigers two best relievers, Christian Little and Griffin Herring could not hold the lead. Little gave up three runs and Herring allowed two unearned runs on a throwing error by Alex Milazzo. LSU is now 9-16 in the SEC.

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech’s Ethan Bates added another magical moment to his great season as he belted a three-run walk-off homer to give the Bulldogs a nine to seven win over Western Kentucky. The victory moves Tech into a first place tie with Dallas Baptist.

The Ragin Cajuns thumped Georgia Southern 19 to 3 in eight innings. Kyle DeBarge hit his 18th home run of the season and drove in four runs. U-L Lafayette has a three-game lead over Troy and Southern Miss for first place in the Sun Belt.

Nicholls had an exciting five to four win over Lamar in eleven innings to as they move closer to catching Lamar for first place in the Southland.
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In softball conference tournament action, Missouri eliminated LSU in the SEC Tournament semifinals two to one, in eight innings.

The Ragin Cajuns are in the Sun Belt Tournament championship game after beating Troy five to two. UL Lafayette will play Texas State at 1 PM.

Southeastern Louisiana is Southland Conference champions for the first time after beating U-I-W eight to seven. Lexi Johnson hit a walk-off three run homer and the Lions will be in the NCAA Tournament.

At the high school baseball tournament…Avoyelles Public Charter won its second title in a row, Quitman and Opelousas Catholic won their first championship, Oak Grove won its fourth straight, South Beauregard won its second title and University High won its first championship by rallying back from an eight to one deficit to beat St Charles Catholic eleven to eight.

Today’s championship games. Tuerlings Catholic versus St. Louis Catholic, North Vermilion versus Lutcher, Barbe against West Monroe and John Curtis against Catholic.

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes will make his major league debut today. Skenes will take the mound for the Pittsburgh against the Chicago Cubs at 3 PM.

11:40/16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball begins a three game series at Alabama tonight. The Tigers are fighting for their playoff lives and they face a Crimson Tide team this weekend that is beatable. On3.com baseball analyst Jonathan Wagner on LSU’s postseason chances…
Cut 18 (18) “… it’s possible.”
Game 1 of the series is tonight at 6 PM.

Former LSU basketball star Glen “Big Baby” Davis has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his role in a health care fraud scheme. Twenty-two people, 18 of them former NBA players, have been sentenced in the case, for filing false medical claims with the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. Davis led the Tigers to Final Four in 2006.

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The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this weekend which could decide the regular season Conference USA title. Regardless of this weekend’s outcome, LA Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs says he’s proud of the season his team has put together, especially after they bounce back from getting swept by Arizona.
Cut 16 (15) “….up for.”
D-1 Baseball has Louisiana Tech in the NCAA Tournament based on a projection they released this week.

D-1 Baseball has the Ragin Cajuns as a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament. U-L Lafayette will look to stay in first place in the Sun Belt as they visit Georgia Southern.

High School baseball season has two days left, Tonight in Sulphur…top seeded South Beauregard will play second seeded Sterlington for the Division 3 non-select title.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU will continue to attempt to make its case for an NCAA Tournament bid when they begin a three-game series against Alabama tonight. The Tigers are coming off a big series win against the previously number one ranked team in the country, Texas A-and-M. While Alabama is 30-and-18 on the season, 10-and-14 in the Southeastern Conference. Jonathan Wagner, covers college baseball for on-3-dot-com…
cut 19 (16) “….taking two”
First pitch tonight is at 6 PM.

The LSU softball team knocked off the top seed in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers took down Tennessee two to one. It’s the first time since 2017, LSU has advanced to the semifinals of the conference tourney. Later today, they will play the winner of this morning’s game, Arkansas and Missouri.

Louisiana Tech baseball will try to get back in first place in Conference USA as they host the first place Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this weekend. Tech is one game back of W-K-U. Bulldogs coach Lane Burroughs has a scouting report on Western Kentucky…
cut 17 (13) “…like us’
First pitch is at 6 PM tonight.

In the Sun Belt, the first place Ragin Cajuns are at Georiga Southern. The Eagles are 3 games back of U-L Lafayette. ULM is at South Alabama.

Nicholls host the best team in the Southland Conference, the Lamar Cardinals for a three-game set starting at 6:30.

At the high school baseball playoffs…Teurlings Catholic advanced to the Division Two select title game with a three to two, walk off win over Vandebilt Catholic. The Rebels will face St. Charles Catholic.

West Monroe and Barbe will meet again in the division one non-select state title game on Saturday night.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU baseball star Paul Skenes has received the call to the big leagues. Skenes will pitch Saturday afternoon for the Pittsburgh Pirates in game two of a series against the Chicago Cubs. Last year’s number one overall pick has been dominant in Triple-A. In seven starts in Indianapolis, Skenes posted a 0.99 ERA and struck out 45 in 27.1 innings.

D-1 Baseball and Baseball America have released their Regional projections and they do not have LSU as one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are at Alabama this weekend and they need to win at least four of their final six conference games to have a chance at receiving a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

D-! baseball has U-L Lafayette as a two-seed in the College Station Regional and Louisiana Tech as a three-seed Starkville Regional. Bulldogs coach Lane Burroughs says it’s questionable whether closer Ethan Bates will pitch this weekend. Burroughs says Bates didn’t feel great an outing against New Mexico State last Saturday.

The Saints have cut quarterback Kellen Mond. New Orleans quarterback room was crowded after drafting Spencer Rattler, so Mond ends up being the odd man out. Derek Carr is the starter and the other back-ups are second-year pro Jake Haener and journeyman Nathan Peterman.

The LSU softball team needed 14 innings to beat Alabama three to two and advance into the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. Taylor Pleasants had the walk-off hit and Sydney Berzon was the winning pitcher after giving up two runs in the first inning. The Tigers take on Tennessee today.

Katelin Cooper drove in a pair of runs and Louisiana Tech softball defeated UTEP two to nothing in the Conference USA Tournament. Tech faces Western Kentucky this afternoon.

In the Southland Tourney…McNeese and Nicholls face each other in an elimination game today. A win for Southeastern today over UIW and they advance to the championship round.

Sterlington, South Beauregard and North Vermilion were among the winners yesterday at the state high school baseball tournament. They all advance to the championship round. Iowa’s season is over after losing to Lutcher five to nothing.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Baseball America and D1 Baseball both released their NCAA Tournament projections today and they both do not have LSU in the Field of 64. The Tigers resume nearly took a hit last night. LSU trailed Northwestern State five to two, but rallied to beat the Demons six to five. Coach Jay Johnson says he’s proud of his team….
cut 18 (14) “…have to win”
Winning this weekend’s series at Alabama will also be important.

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes is getting the call to the Big Leagues. Skenes will make his major league debut this Saturday for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Chicago Cubs. Skenes has made seven starts in Triple-A and has allowed just three earned runs. He was the number one pick in last year’s Major League Baseball draft.

LSU Football head coach, Brian Kelly said they’re not interested in buying players after the top two defensive tackles in the transfer portal committed to other schools. Kelly made the comments to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge and also discussed the importance of recruiting players out of high school, retaining them and preparing them for the NFL. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne….
Cut 4 (07) “…the fall.”
Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow were two players who visited LSU, but have committed to other schools, Oklahoma and Miami respectively.

It took 14 innings, but LSU softball beat Alabama in the SEC Tournament. Taylor Pleasants drove in the winning run. The Tigers will face top seeded Tennessee tomorrow.

At the high school baseball playoffs today…semifinal action…South Beauregard over Doyle six to one, Sterlington shutout Berwick ten to nothing, St. Charles Catholic blanked Menard one to nothing.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

In a one-on-one interview with WAFB-TV sports director Jacques Doucet, football coach Brian Kelly says LSU is not in the market of buying players. Kelly’s comments come after the school missed out on signing two of the top defensive tackles in the transfer portal.

It’s believed Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow received lucrative NIL deals in their decisions to commit to Oklahoma and Miami respectively.

Kelly says unfortunately there are some guys who are looking to be bought and they are not going to go out and buy players. The coach says there are very generous NIL opportunities through their collective, but they are interested in developing players for the NFL like they did with Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, and  Malik Nabers, who all went in the first round of the NFL draft this year.

Kelly also points out three LSU defensive lineman were drafted this year.