11:40 LRN Sportscast

Today begins the three day early signing period in college football. LSU has already received signatures from all 25 of their 27 commits in the class of 2024. One position group the class will address is the defensive secondary which was a liability for the Tigers in 2023. On3.com’s Shea Dixon says LSU will address that by signing six defensive backs out of high school, including four cornerbacks. He says Lafayette Christian quarterback JuJuan Johnson is set to transition from quarterback to cornerback…

Cut 17 (24) “….from the start” 

UL-Lafayette has also officially signed catholic High School quarterback Daniel Beale. The three-star recruit committed to the Ragin Cajuns in June of this year before leading the Bears to a Division I Select State Championship.

Angel Reese will have the opportunity to play in her hometown tonight as the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers visit Coppin State in Baltimore. Reese, who played her two years of college baseball at Maryland University, is looking forward to the homecoming…

Cut 19 (19) “…big thing.” 

Tip-off is at 5:00

The Pelicans’ second half woes continued last night as the Grizzlies mounted a 24-point comeback to snap the Pels four game win streak in a heartbreaking 115-113 loss. All Star guard Ja Morant made his season debut for Memphis with a 34 point performance capped off with a game-winning buzzer beater. Pels forward Brandon Ingram had 34 of his own but it wasn’t enough to stop a 19-point second half comeback. The Pelicans will return to action tomorrow night as they head to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Today begins the three-day early signing period for college football. LSU’s recruiting class features eight of the ten best players from the state of Louisiana according to on3.com. Recruiting analyst for the Bengal Tiger, Shea Dixon, says six-foot-six Zachary tight end Trey’Dez Green is an intriguing prospect…
Cut 16 (16) “…flexed out tight end.”
LSU’s class has 27 commitments, six of them are defensive backs, including Denham Springs safety Dashawn McBryde.

Brutal loss for the Pelicans last night as they blew a 24-point lead and lost to Memphis 115 to 113 at the Smoothie King Center. Ja Morant returned from a 25-game suspension to hit the winning shot at the buzzer, ending New Orleans four game winning streak.

____________________________________________________________

Tonight the seventh-ranked LSU Lady Tigers visit Coppin State in Baltimore, the hometown of star Angel Reese, who yesterday was named Sporting News Athlete of the Year. Reese says she’s looking forward tonight to playing in front of her high school coaches and her grandparents…
cut 20 (20) “…always remember”
Tip off is at 5 PM central time.

Nicholls battled hard at Maryland last night, but came up short against Terrapins losing 73-67. Diante Smith had 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Northwestern State’s Cliff Davis hit a school record ten three-pointers as the Demons downed Southern-New Orleans 99-75.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU has found a quarterback in the transfer portal. AJ Swann has committed to the Tigers after two seasons at Vanderbilt….
cut 7 (12) “…and develop”
That’s Shea Dixon of on-3-dot-com and the Bengal Tiger. Swann passed for almost 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns at Vanderbilt leading the team to a 4-11 record. He also considered transferring to South Carolina.

LSU is mourning the death of former star defensive end Rahim Alem. The former St. Aug standout has died at the age of 36. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Alem was a member of the 2007 national championship team and a had career-high eight sacks in 2008. His younger brother is Chad Jones, who was a star football and pitcher at LSU.

Big-time honor for LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese as she along with Iowa star Caitlyn Clark have been named the Sporting News Athletes of the Year. It’s only the second and third time a female has received the Sporting News Athlete of the Year Award. Jackie Joyner Kersee is the only other female recipient.

The seven and seven Saints are in position to win the NFC South with three games to go. They are tied with Tampa Bay and New Orleans will visit the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. It’s been up and down season for the Black and Gold, but Coach Dennis Allen says his guys never wavered…
cut 18 (18) “…Rams right now”
At practice today, receiver Chris Olave and running back Kendre Miller were limited participants after not practicing yesterday.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

After a crucial win over the Giants Sunday the saints are in the midst of a tight race for both the NFC South and a Wild Card spot. They’re set to play the Rams Thursday who are also 7-and-7 and currently in the seven seed. Head Coach Dennis Allen says New Orleans will have the added challenge of traveling over 2,000 miles on a short week…

 Cut 16 (23) “…ready to go for Thursday Night.”

The Pelicans will take the floor tonight as they host the Grizzlies. Memphis has had a slow start to the season, but all-star point guard Ja Morant is set to make his season debut after serving a 25-game suspension. The Pels will look to extend their 4-game win streak tonight at 6:30 in the Smoothie King Center.

LSU Heisman-winning Quarterback Jarden Daniels has opted out of the Tigers’ bowl game leaving backup QB Garrett Nussmeier to officially take the reins. Head Coach Brian Kelly says the rest of LSU’s stars plan to suit up for the ReliaQuest Bowl on January 1st…

Cut 19 (18) “…we are.” 

Joining Nussmeier in the QB room next year will be Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann. The former four-star recruit was expected to transfer to South Carolina but switched allegiances t the Tigers and is expected to backup Nussmeier next season.

Former Many High School standout Tackett Curtis has announced he will be transferring from USC this offseason. The Linebacker was the fifth-ranked recruit out of Louisiana in the 2023 class.

The Nicholls basketball team will visit Maryland tonight at 7:30.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

As expected Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels has announced he will not play in the bowl game. But Coach Brian Kelly says that’s the only opt-out, which means receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Junior will both play and Kyren Lacy is coming back next year…
cut 20 (06) “….come back”

The Saints practice today and then it’s off to Los Angeles tomorrow to play the Rams on Thursday night. Coach Dennis Allen says game day on these short weeks comes at you fast…
cut 17 (21) “…Thursday night”
The Rams are also 7-and7.

Grambling State has hired Marrero native and former LSU assistant coach Mickey Joseph as its new head coach. Jeff Palermo has the story.

 cut 30 (30 “…I’m Jeff Palermo

In transfer portal news…former Many star Tackett Curtis has entered the transfer portal after one season at U-S-C. His high school teammate Tylen Singleton is part of the 2024 recruiting class.

LSU has found a quarterback to challenge Garrett Nussmeier. Former Vanderbilt QB AJ Swann, appeared in 15 games the last two seasons for the Commodores. He’s thrown for 27-hundred yards, completing 56-percent of his passes for 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has two more years of eligibility left. South Carolina was also interested in him.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints put together one of their better performances of the season as the Black and Gold defeated the New York Giants 24-6 yesterday. New Orleans defense produced seven sacks and the Giants were held to 193 total yards. Quarterback Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes. Coach Dennis Allen says it was great complimentary football..
Cut 16 (15) “…our team”
The Saints are 7-and-7, tied with Tampa for first place in the NFC South. New Orleans will visit the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.

In basketball…the Pelicans made a franchise record 22 three-pointers in a 146 to 110 win over the Spurs.

Lady Tigers Coach Kim Mulkey was ejected in the fourth quarter, but LSU won easily over Northwestern State 81-36

________________________________________________________________

For the second straight year, the Ragin Cajuns lost their bowl game, and finished with a losing record at 6-7. Despite scoring three defensive touchdowns, Jacksonville State beat U-L Lafayette 34-31 in overtime in the New Orleans Bowl. Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux’s offense only had 247 yards of offense…
Cut 19 (18) “…with me”

Former LSU and Nebraska assistant Mickey Joseph was named the new head football coach at Grambling. The Marrero native plans to be active in the community…
cut 11 (09) “….kids will say”
Joseph replaces Hue Jackson.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints defense got after New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito as New Orleans sacked him seven times and Black and Gold Quarterback Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes in a 24-6 victory. There were very few boos from the home crowd and Carr appreciated the love the fans showed…
Cut 18 (14) “…our team.”
The Saints are now 7-7 and tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. New Orleans will visit the L-A Rams on Thursday night.

It was a raucous crowd inside the Legacy Center in Lake Charles as Will Wade and the McNeese Cowboys rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final ten minutes to beat U-L Lafayette 74 to 72 in front of a sold out crowd. The Pokes snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Cajuns.

The Ragin Cajuns football season ended Saturday with a 34-31 overtime loss to Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says it was a tough way to end the season….
cut 20 (20) “….like this”
It’s the second straight year the Cajuns ended with a six-and seven record.

Grambling State is expected this morning to name former LSU assistant coach Mickey Joseph as the Tigers new head football coach. Joseph coached at LSU from 2017 to 2021 and left to be an assistant coach at Nebraska. A Sports Illustrated Report says Joseph is expected to name former Southern Coach Eric Dooley as his offensive coordinator.

The seventh ranked LSU Lady Tigers defeated Northwestern State 81-36 on Sunday.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The transfer portal is starting to pop for the LSU Tigers as they’ve received commitmemts from two Louisiana natives who were playing at other SEC schools. Former John Ehret star Zavion Thomas has committed to LSU. He caught 40 passes for 503 yards and a touchdown for Mississippi State in 2023 and he’s also a returner.

Also committing to LSU, Safety Jardin Gilbert, who played at Texas A-and-M the last three seasons. Had nearly 80 tackles and two interceptions during his career with the Aggies. His commitment may have forced LSU’s Sage Ryan to enter the transfer portal. Ryan started nine games at cornerback for the Tigers last season and had 35 tackles and three passes break up.

Today at 1:15, the Ragin Cajuns host Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl. At the Independence Bowl in Shreveport tonight, Texas Tech will battle Cal.

Sunday, the Saints will host the Giants. New Orleans receiver Chris Olvave a game time decision with an ankle injury.

_______________________________________________________________-

The Pelicans won their third straight last night as they defeated Charlotte 112 to 107. Big night from Jonas Valanciunas who scored 29 points and had 13 rebounds. Zion Williamson also had a double-double, 21 points and 11 rebounds and C-J McCollum had 19. New Orleans will finish a three-game road trip on Sunday against San Antonio.

The LSU Tigers are in Houston this morning to take on 19th ranked Texas. Jalen Cooks will make his season debut as an agreement has been reached between the NCAA and the courts over the eligibility of players who have transferred multiple times.

In other today…Louisiana Tech is at St. Louis. The Bulldogs are trying to improve to 10-2. And on Sunday in Lake Charles, McNeese hosts the Ragin Cajuns. Only a few hundred tickets are left for this game and Cowboys Coach Will Wade and Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin are not the best of freiends. So it should be a spicy game at 3 PM. The Pokes are on a four-game winning streak, U-L is 0-3 on the road.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU received its first major commitment from a player in the transfer portal as safety Jardin Gilbert announced he’s committed to playing for the Tigers next season. Gilbert appeared in 23 games for Texas A-and-M and had 79 tackles and two interceptions. He’s from Baton Rouge and played his high school football at University High. But Sage Ryan, who started nine games in 2023 for the Tigers, has entered the transfer portal. The former Lafayette Christian star had 35 tackles at cornerback.

The Ragin Cajuns will face Jacksonville State in tomorrow’s R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Kick-off is set for 1:15. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says his team has been preparing to play a good team, one that has won 17 games over the last two seasons…
Cut 19 (14) “…moving forward.”

The Saints will host the surging New York Giants on Sunday. The G-Men may have found something in 25-year-old rookie quarterback Tommy Devito. He’s led New York to three straight victories. New Orleans linebacker Demario Davis on Devito…
cut 16 (11) “…his legs”
Kick-off Sunday is at noon.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers is 22 yards away from breaking Josh Reed’s record for all-time receiving yards at LSU. Nabers may play in the bowl game, just to break the record. Draft analyst and WWL’s Mike Detillier expects Nabers will be the second wideout selected in the NFL draft, after Marvin Harrison Junior. Detillier says Nabers has the goods…
cut 17 (11) “…top ten pick”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The college bowl season gets underway tomorrow and two of the games are in Louisiana. At 1:15 tomorrow afternoon, the Ragin Cajuns face Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl. Motivation is a big factor in who wins bowl games, and Coach Michael Desormeaux says his guys should be excited to play….
cut 20 (13) “….problem”
This is the Cajuns seventh appearance in the New Orleans Bowl and they are five and one.

And tomorrow night, it’s the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport between Texas Tech and California. The Red Raiders are three point favorites and they have one of the better running backs in the country. Senior Tajh Brooks has rushed for 14-hundred yards and nine TDs.

LSU defensive tackle Fitzgerald West has entered the transfer portal. The former Lafayette Christian star has appeared in seven games over the last two seasons.

Saints receiver Chris Olave missed his second straight practice yesterday as New Orleans gets ready to host the New York Giants on Sunday. Olave is nursing an ankle injury. He’s the team’s leading receiver with 72 catches for 918 yards and four touchdowns.

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Junior has one more year of eligibility left but there’s a good chance he declares for the NFL draft after catching 60 passes for 1,079 yards and 15 touchdowns. Draft analyst and WWL’s Mike Detillier says Thomas could be a first round pick, selected somewhere between 18 and 22…
cut 18 (18) “…with it”

In college hoops…ULM lost last night to Lamar 97-73. The Warhawks fall to 4-and-5 overall.