LSU had its first fall scrimmage under first-year head coach Brian Kelly. An area of concern for Kelly and his staff had been the defensive backs after there was very little depth within that position group throughout spring practice causing coach Kelly to bring in a number of transfers. Kelly says that the secondary has really impressed the coaching staff during fall practice.

Cut 19 (17) “that group”

The LSU Tigers’ first game under head coach Brian Kelly is right around the corner, but it appears he’s already making his mark with his second recruiting class. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says what appeared to be a slow start for Kelly has picked up steam and is now 6^th in the nation.

Cut 13 (09) “right now”

The Saints will play their first pre-season game this Saturday at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans.  One player that has made headlines in pres-season camp is rookie offensive lineman Trevor Penning, who is competing for the starting left tackle spot.  Penning has been in multiple fights in training camp.  Allen says Penning has to be more disciplined, but he appreciates Penning’s aggressive style of play.

Cut 17 (18) “I like it”

Two pre-season games wrapped up last night as the New York Giants took down the New England Patriots 23-21 and the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Tennessee Titans by a score of 23-10

The bracket 2022 Asheville Championship men’s basketball tournament is set and the ULL Ragin Cajuns will join East Tennessee State, Elon, and Harvard in the second annual championship.

LSU held a practice that was fully open to the media on Thursday. Arizona State Transfer Jayden Daniels took the majority of the first team reps at quarterback while 6th-year senior Myles Brennan ran with the two’s. The third quarterback competing for the starting job is redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier, who did not participate due to an injury. Coach Brian Kelly says Nussmeier was held out due to an ankle injury but expects him to return soon.
Cut 18 (13)“…for him.”
Kelly says the battle for starting quarterback remains a competitive situation. And the coach says one of the biggest surprises of fall camp is the emergence of freshman Mason Taylor at the tight end position. Kelly says he feels so much better about that position because of his emergence. Taylor is the son of pro football hall of Famer Jason Taylor.

The Saints will play their first pre-season game tomorrow night at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans. It will be the black and gold’s first live-action under new head coach Dennis Allen, who was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach after Sean Payton announced his retirement. Allen says he’s ready to see how his players perform in a game-day setting.
Cut 16 (11) “…make a play.”
Allen would not provide any details on how much the starters will play. Former LSU Tiger Derek Stingley junior will not play for the Texans as Houston is being cautious with the third overall pick after missing much of last season with a foot injury.

NBA legend and West Monroe native Bill Russell will have his number 6 jersey retired across the entire NBA beginning next season, however, all current players that wear six can keep their number until they retire.

With Jameis Winston sidelined by a sprained foot, backup quarterback Andy Dalton is taking advantage of the time getting snaps with the first team offense. Dalton has been solid during training camp and might have had his best practice yesterday, throwing five straight touchdown passes during seven-on-seven drills in the redzone. Three of them went to Michael Thomas, who seems to be regaining his form. Dalton says Thomas is a great target to throw to.
Cut 19 (14) “special”
LSU has landed a commitment from Woodlawn quarterback Rickie Collins. The 4-star Baton Rouge product chose to stay home after previously being committed to Purdue. LSU’s 2023 recruiting class is now ranked 6th in the country.

Texas Tech transfer Parker McNeil and TCU transfer Matthew Downing are the top two candidates to be the starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech this season. Downing started his career at Georgia and spent the last two seasons at TCU, playing in a total of 7 games. He says the battle for starting quarterback is a healthy competition between himself and Parker.
Cut 17 (17) “everyday”
NBA legend and West Monroe native Bill Russell will have his number 6 jersey retired across the entire NBA beginning next season, however, all current players that wear six can keep their number until they retire.
There’s preseason football action in store tonight as the New York Giants and New England Patriots will battle it out at 6 pm and then the Tennessee Titans will take on the Baltimore Ravens at 6:30.

With Jameis Winston sidelined by a sprained foot, backup quarterback Andy Dalton is taking advantage of the time getting snaps with the first team offense. The former Cincinnati Bengals starting Q-B feels right at home in New Orleans…:
Cut 18 (16) “good place”
Dalton has been solid during training camp and might have had his best practice yesterday, throwing five straight touchdown passes during seven-on-seven drills in the red zone.

Woodlawn 4-star quarterback Rickie Collins has announced he’s staying home in Baton Rouge to play football at LSU. Collins’ commitment comes less than 10 days after he decommitted from Purdue. LSU and Florida State were the finalists for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior heading into Wednesday’s announcement.

Texas Tech transfer Parker McNeil and TCU transfer Matthew Downing are the top two candidates to be the starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech this season. McNeil is familiar with first-year Head Coach Sonny Cumbie’s offense as both were in Lubbock, Texas last season…:
Cut 16 (20) “especially”
Both McNeil and Downing have experience playing for Cumbie and say they are embracing the fight to start under center.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is still not participating in training camp as he continues to recover from an appendectomy two weeks ago — and there is no timetable for his return. The former LSU star who led the Bengals to it’s first Super Bowl in 33 years last season has been observing practice from scooter.

LSU is doing some experimenting on the offensive line as they try to find the five best players up front. Sophomore Garrett Dellinger from Michigan played in 12 games last season, starting three games at left tackle and one at left guard. Dellinger is also taking some reps at center, a position he’s never played before….
cut 18 (13) “…I’ll be good”

Four-star quarterback Rickie Collins will announce tonight his college choice. He’s from Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge and his coach is former LSU Tiger Marcus Randall. Collins was previously committed to Purdue, but LSU’s coaching staff has been working hard to keep him in the capital city. Last season for the Panthers he completed 65-percent of his passes for 1,930 yards and 16 touchdowns.
______________________________________________________________

At Saints camp today, linebacker Pete Werner did not practice as head coach Dennis Allen says Werner is dealing with a groin injury. No Jameis Winston as he’s out with a sprained ankle, but backup Andy Dalton looked sharp, throwing four touchdowns in seven on seven red zone drills, two of them went to Michael Thomas, Taysom Hill caught another one and Adam Trautman also had a touchdown reception.

Winning a college series has resulted in a new four-year contract for Ole MIss coach Mike Bianco. The base pay for the former LSU player and assistant coach is one-point-six million dollars, which makes him the second highest paid college baseball coach in the country, behind Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin. LSU’s Jay Johnson by the way makes one-point-two million dollars.

And at Mississippi State football games this year, there will be a section in Davis Wade Stadium’s upper deck, where you can bring your own fridge, full of beer. LSU hosts Mississippi State this season, but will return to Starkville in 2023.

At this time last year, Taysom Hill was battling with Jameis Winston to be the starting quarterback. He lost that battle and is back to his role as a swiss army knife on the Saints offense, playing multiple positions. Hill says his preference is to be a quarterback in the NFL, but he knows that decision is not up to him…
Cut 16 (16) “…I love playing.”
Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport has been removed from the physically unable to perform list. The 25-year-old had surgery on his shoulder in the offseason and also had part of his left pinky amputated after an infection developed. Davenport will not play in Saturday’s preseason opener against Houston. Jameis Winston will also sit after spraining his foot in practice on Monday. Winston is day-to-day.

LSU defensive end B-J Ojulari had seven sacks and nine quarterback hurries to lead the team last season. Ojulari also wants to be known as a defender who can play well against the run too…
cut 17 (17) “….creating havoc”
During the practice periods open to the media it also looks like Ojulari could be standing up more in Matt House’s defense and you may see him drop back into coverage more.

Louisiana Tech University has set a record increase in licensing revenue from their trademarked merchandise. It’s a matter of school pride and it helps students directly. Tonya Oaks Smith is Tech’s communications director.
Cut 7 (07) “….for scholarships.”
Tech experienced a 61-percent increase in revenues from licensing in the 2021-22 fiscal year and the Louisiana Tech Brand Store on Amazon saw an 82-percent for fiscal year 2022.

LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock says he’s looking for someone to take ownership of the offense as the battle for starting quarterback of the Tigers is underway….
Cut 16 (16) “…at LSU.”
Junior defensive end B-J Ojulari (O-juh-lar-e) has been chosen to wear number 18, which goes to the player that’s not only a stand out on the field, but also does great work in the community and is a leader for the university. Ojulari says having great character is important for him…
Cut 13 (12) “…little bit”

Saints quarterback Jameis Winston did not practice today, but the injury to his foot is not serious, Head Coach Dennis Allen says he’s day-to-day with a sprained foot…
Cut 12 (09) “…here we go”
Winston will not play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport practicied on a limited basis today as he continues to work back from offseason shoulder surgery and he had part of his left pinky finger amputated.

ULM is getting ready for its season opener at Texas on September 3rd. Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden says replacing four starters in the secondary is critical…
cut 20 (12) “…of yet”

At LSU preseason camp, we got to hear from LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. There are questions about the offensive line as the Tigers need to find four new starters. Denbrock says there is talent for him to work with….
Cut 17 (24) “…or not.”
During the portion of practice viewed by the media, here’s the first unit offensive line. Left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Tre’Mond Shorts, center Garrett Dellinger, right guard Miles Frazier and right tackle Anthony Bradford.

And the preseason coaches poll is out and LSU is not ranked. It’s the first time since 2000 that LSU was not ranked in the preseason coaches poll.

Saints quarterback Jameis Winston was not at practice today after leaving yesterday’s practice early with a foot injury. Head Coach Dennis Allen says it’s been diagnosed as a sprain foot, but it’s nothing major…
cut 29 (09) “…back out there”
Allen says Winston will not play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans.

There’s a battle for starting quarterback at ULM between Chandler Rogers and Jiya Wright. Rogers appeared in 12 games last season while Wright appeared in four games. Coach Terry Bowden breaks down the competition…
cut 19 (12) “….that’s the biggest”
Bowden says replacing four starters in the secondary is another important storyline. ULM opens the season at Texas on September third.

It’s still the first week of fall camp for LSU so the battle for starting quarterback is very much in progress. Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock met with the media yesterday and talked about how they are working with Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels on his footwork to make him a more accurate passer…
cut 18 (24) “…accurately”
Last season for the Sun Devils, Daniels threw for 2,380 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and completed 65-percent of his passes.

The coaches poll came out yesterday and for the first time since 2000, LSU was not ranked in that preseason poll.

There’s a battle for starting quarterback at ULM between Chandler Rogers and Jiya Wright. Rogers appeared in 12 games last season while Jiya Wright appeared in four games. Coach Terry Bowden breaks down the competition…
cut 19 (12) “….that’s the biggest”

The Saints hold a practice this morning that’s closed to the public and we’ll see if Jameis Winston takes the field. He left yesterday’s practice with a foot injury. Meanwhile Coach Dennis Allen gave an update on Michael Thomas progress as he continues to work his way back after missing the 2021 season with an ankle injury…
cut 23 (23) “…where he’s at”

Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston was not able to finish practice today. Coach Dennis Allen explains what happened…
cut 30 (16) “….evaluated”
Allen later said on the NFL Network that Winston rolled his ankle, but did not provide any details if Jameis will miss any action.

Also not practicing today, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, linebacker Zack Baun and Marcus Davenport remains on the physically unable to perform list. Taysom Hill practiced, but he was wearing a non-contact red jersey after hurting his ribs earlier in camp.

The American League Pitcher of the Week is former LSU Tiger Kevin Gausman. Gasuman tossed 14 innings last week and did not allow a run, while striking out 15. Also former LSU Tiger Michael Papierski hit his first major league home run to help the Reds beat the Brewers yesterday.

One of the new additions to LSU’s roster is running back Noah Cain, who has transferred in from Penn State. The junior from Baton Rouge says Frank Wilson’s return as the team’s running backs coach is one of the reasons he chose to come back home…
cut 18 (18) “ player overall”
Five star wide receiver Shelton Sampson is staying home to play his college career as the Catholic High star has announced his commitment to LSU. Sampson is six-foot-four, 181 pounds and caught 40 passes and had 11 touchdowns for the Division One champion Bears last season.

Woodlawn of Baton Rouge Quarterback Rickie Collins is a four-star prospect and is expected to announce his commitment on Wednesday. Recruiting analysts believe he’ll choose LSU after recently de-committing from Purdue.