07:30 LRN Sportscast, February 5th

If you’ve always wanted to wear an LSU jersey with your favorite player’s name on it, David Grubb reports some historic news for fans and players…:
CUT 3 (31) “I’m David Grubb”

The Pelicans held off the Denver Nuggets last night picking up a 113-105 victory. It was a big night for Herb Jones who shot 18 points out of his game high 25 in the 4th quarter. Those 18 points are the 3rd most by any Pelicans rookie in a single period. New Orleans travels to face Houston Sunday at 6.

The Senior Bowl takes place this afternoon at 1:30pm in Mobile, Alabama and LSU’s Damone Clark has been named the top linebacker on the American team.

LSU baseball shows up on another preseason top 10 poll as USA Today ranked the Tigers number 7 on Friday. The season begins February 18th.

In College hoops today the injury plagued No. 25 LSU men’s basketball team hopes to rebound their losing streak as they visit Vanderbilt. Coach Will Wade says his team is so physically and mentally exhausted he opted to let the team do yoga one day last week instead of a full-blown practice. Tipoff today is 5pm in Nashville.

Louisiana Tech is coming off a loss to Florida Atlantic heading into a matchup today with Florida International. ULM is at Little Rock, UL Lafayette is at Arkansas State, Northwestern State is at McNeese, UNO is at Incarnate Word, Southeastern is at Houston Baptist.

LSU fans know what Cincinnati fans are learning about their quarterback “Cool” Joe Burrow and that is that he doesn’t get nervous — even for the Super Bowl. Burrow had a chance to speak with another confident QB in five-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. Burrow says he’s aiming for that kind of excellence…:
CUT 19 (12) “someday”
One of Burrow’s favorite targets, former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals was named the Pepsi Rookie of the Year on Friday.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast February 4

The House and Senate Governmental Affairs committee approves new Congressional district maps. They do not include a second majority-minority district. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

State climatologist Barry Keim says we should get ready for a cold winter weekend.

Cut 4 (11) “…a hard freeze.”

Detectives say 101 stolen catalytic converters were found in an East Baton Rouge couple’s chop shop. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says it’s almost impossible to prevent one from being stolen because they can be removed in a matter of minutes.

Cut 7 (11) “…leave the area.”

Louisiana hasn’t hit the peak of crawfish season, but that doesn’t mean that mudbugs aren’t on the menu. Mark Shirley, LSU AgCenter and crawfish specialist, says the recent wave of cold temperatures may have slowed the growth of this year’s harvest, but it hasn’t stopped it.

Cut 9 (12) “…but they’re there.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast February 4

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported that the Saints are seeking to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, possibly as soon as Saturday. Bienemy, a New Orleans native, has been with KC since 2013, and has overseen the team’s offense since 2018. The Chiefs have been to the postseason in eight of the last nine seasons, winning the Super Bowl two years ago.

Mobile sports betting has been live in Louisiana for a week, and already the state has made history. Houston business owner “Mattress Mack” crossed state lines to place a bet of more than $4.5 million on the Caesars Sportsbook app for the Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 56. It is the single-largest mobile wager of all-time and the second-largest Super Bowl wager ever, trailing only a $4.9 million bet on the 2002 Super Bowl. The payout would top $7.7 million.

The New Orleans Pelicans are back in action tonight, as they visit the Denver Nuggets. The Pels are 0-2 against Denver this season. Billy Hernangomez and Garrett Temple are out, Josh Hart is listed as questionable. New Orleans is 3-4 over its last seven games.

Next Sunday, Joe Burrow will try to become the first Heisman-trophy winning quarterback to win a Super Bowl since Jim Plunkett in 1983, and only the third ever, along with Hall of Famer Roger Staubach. If Burrow had his way as a kid, he never would have been under center…but now there’s no place he’d rather be or a position he’d rather play.

Cut 20 (17) “…lose with me.”

In college basketball around the state this weekend, 25th ranked LSU is at Vandy Saturday, as the Tigers try to snap a two-game skid. Both UL’s men’s and women’s teams are taking on Arkansas State, with the women in the Cajun Dome, and the men on the road. Northwestern State visits McNeese in a Southland Conference showdown at 4 pm.

Louisiana Tech looks to bounce back from a loss to Florida Atlantic by topping Florida International tomorrow night, and the UNO Privateers will go hunting for their 10th straight victory when they take on Incarnate Word.

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 4

News on the Saints coaching search…Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy is on the team’s radar. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the team would like to interview Bienemy, possibly as soon as Saturday. Bienemy, a New Orleans native, has been with KC since 2013 and has run the team’s offense since 2018. The Chiefs have been to the postseason in eight of the last nine seasons, winning the Super Bowl two years ago.

You can take Doug Pederson’s name off of the list of candidates. Pederson was announced as the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday. Pederson, who was a star quarterback at ULM and head coach of Calvary Baptist in Shreveport, takes over for Urban Meyer, who was fired 13 games into his first and only season in Jacksonville.

Mobile sports betting has been live in Louisiana for a week, and already the state has made history. Houston business owner “Mattress Mack” crossed state lines to place a bet of more than $4.5 million on the Caesars Sportsbook app for the Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 56. It is the single-largest mobile wager of all time and the second-largest Super Bowl wager ever, trailing a $4.9 million bet on the 2002 Super Bowl. The payout would top $7.7 million.

Former LSU and current Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth is in a unique position. Whitworth was drafted by Cincinnati in 2006. Next weekend though, he’ll be facing his old team in Super Bowl 56. Whitworth was with the Rams in 2018 when they lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53, so the four-time Pro Bowler isn’t taking his second shot at a championship for granted.

Cut 17 (10) “…lot to us.”

Across the field will be fellow LSU alum Joe Burrow. His Cincinnati Bengals weren’t even supposed to be here, but after knocking off the top two seeds in the AFC, they’ve shown they belong. With just over a week to go before the big game, Burrow isn’t letting the hype get to him.

Cut 18 (11) “…feels normal.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast February 4

The Saints are expanding their search for a new head coach. The Times-Picayune reports the team plans on interviewing New Orleans native and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

One of the Saints head coaching candidates, Doug Pederson, has accepted the job as the new head coach in Jacksonville. The former ULM quarterback gets his second NFL head coaching job after winning a Super Bowl with Philadelphia.

Former LSU and current Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth is in a unique position. Whitworth was drafted by Cincinnati in 2006, and spent a decade with the Bengals, earning All-Pro honors three times. Next weekend though, he’ll be face his old team in Super Bowl 56. Whitworth appreciates his time with the Bengals and welcomes the opportunity to play against them.
Cut 16 (09) “…so much to me.”

The Ragin Cajun and Warhawk men’s basketball teams both picked up Sun Belt victories last night. ULM ended a four-game losing streak by beating Arkansas State 60-59. Andrew Jones matched his season-high with 21 points.

The Ragin Cajuns scored 51 points in the second half and defeated Little Rock 75 to 51 last night. Jordan Brown had 20 points. The Cajuns are now 5-and-5 in the Sun Belt.

Louisiana Tech got down by 18 points in the first half and lost to Florida Atlantic 83-73. The loss drops the Bulldogs record to 16-and-6 overall, 7-and-3 in Conference USA. They drop into third place in the West Division.

UNO stayed undefeated in the Southland with a 79-70 win over Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. Southeastern Louisiana defeated McNeese 83-78.

Nicholls edged Incarnate Word 63-60 for its third straight victory. Northwestern State tied a school record with 17 three-pointers and defeated Houston Baptist 97-87.

LRN 4:45 Sportscast February 3

Louisiana Tech football signed five players on Wednesday..defensive back Devontae Mozee, offensive linemen Elijah Bowser and Joe Ta’ase, running back DeAnthony Gatson, and tight end John Locke. Gatson is the most high-profile signee. The three-star recruit had previously committed to USC. New Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie credits the hard work of his assistant coaches in recruiting Gatson…

Cut 20 (20) “…are important.”

Some other first-year coaches made their marks as well. Grambling State’s Hue Jackson welcomed the largest recruiting class in program history, announcing the commitments of 36 players. Southern’s Eric Dooley added 27 new Jaguars on his first signing day on the Bluff, and UL’s Mike Desormeaux added five signees on Wednesday, bringing his first class to 13 players.

What’s old is new again in Lake Charles, as McNeese football returns to its traditional 7 p.m. kickoff time for all home games after two seasons of noon starts. The Cowboys released their 11-game schedule Thursday, which includes six games at The Hole. McNeese opens their season September 3 on the road at FCS National Runner-Up Montana State. The Cowboys’ home opener is slated for September 17 against Alcorn State. McNeese went 4-7 last season under Frank Wilson, who is now with LSU. Gary Goff takes the reigns this year after going 22-3 as head coach at Valdosta State.

One day after revealing his team’s new name, Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder is facing new allegations of misconduct. Six former Washington employees met with the House Oversight Committee and made several disturbing claims, including one that stated Snyder instructed a team employee to produce a video that featured nude images of cheerleaders that had been recorded without their knowledge.

The NFL fined Snyder and Washington $10 million after its own investigation concluded that the club’s workplace culture was toxic and fell far short of the NFL’s values, per a statement by the league’s special counsel

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 3

Brian Kelly’s first National Signing Day at LSU is in the books, and the Tigers produced some mixed results. Kelly lost out on a number of high-profile in-state recruits, including Louisiana’s number one player in safety Jacoby Mathews out of Ponchatoula, along with Westgate tight end Danny Lewis, and Lake Charles running back TreVonte’ Citizen. But the Tigers did land their top target in linebacker Harold Perkins. Perkins is ranked as one of the top 20 players in the country and his high school coach, Greg Rogers, says LSU is getting a great one.

Cut 17 (12) “…that’s for sure.”

The Tigers finished with the 12th-ranked recruiting class in the nation according to 247 sports. LSU finished fourth in the SEC, behind Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia, who grabbed the top 3 spots.

New Grambling State head coach Hue Jackson has made his impression felt as he announced the signing of 36 players Wednesday, the most in Grambling football history.

The NBA trade deadline is just a week away, and speculation continues as to whether the New Orleans Pelicans will be buyers or sellers. Indications are that the Pels will be looking to bolster their roster for a push to make the play-in tournament and reach the postseason for the first time since the 2017-18 season. New Orleans trails Portland by 1.5 games for the tenth spot in the Western Conference. Next up for the Pels, the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

After dropping five of its last six games on the hardwood, projections for LSU’s postseason destiny are all over the place. The Tigers could land anywhere from as high as a three seed, according to CBS Sports, or as low as a sixth seed as forecasted by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. LSU is back in action Saturday when they visit Vanderbilt.

In other college basketball news…sixth-ranked Houston defeated Tulane 73-62 last night. La Tech is at F-A-U, ULM visits Arkansas State, the Cajuns are at Little Rock. McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana.

Interviews continue for the Saints head coaching job, with current special teams coach Darren Rizzi expected to meet with team officials today

6:45 LRN Sportscast February 3

On national signing day, the LSU football program signed five-star linebacker Harold Perkins from Texas. The New Orleans native chose the Tigers after he originally committed to Texas A-and-M last month. LSU also signed a three-star cornerback from Texas, Jaelyn Davis-Robinson.

But LSU lost out on three in-state prospects. Lake Charles Collegiate prep Running back Trevonte Citizen signed with Miami, Westgate tight end Danny Lewis signed with Alabama, and Ponchatoula safety Jacoby Matthews signed with Texas A-and-M. The Aggies finished with the top recruiting class.

ESPN Baton Rouge sports talk show host Matt Mascona says the Texas A-and-M business community’s ability to put together attractive NIL deals helped the Aggies and it’s something the LSU community could not match ..
cut 18 (12) “…producing milk”
According to 24-7 sports, when you factor in the transfer portal, LSU finished with the sixth-best recruiting class.

The Saints have interviewed Doug Pederson, Brian Flores, and Aaron Glenn for their vacant head coaching job. Today, the team is expected to interview defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. General Manager Mickey Loomis talked about Allen’s credentials with reporters who are covering the Senior Bowl in Mobile…
cut 28 (20) “….as well”
Saints special teams coach Darren Rizzi is also expected to interview for the head coaching job today.

Also, it’s being reported the Saints will play a game in London in 2022. The date and opponent have not been finalized.

In college basketball…sixth-ranked Houston defeated Tulane 73-62 last night. La Tech is at F-A-U, ULM visits Arkansas State, the Cajuns are at Little Rock. McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana.

4:45 LRN Sportscast February 2

Brian Kelly’s first National Signing Day has not gone according to plan, thus far. After scoring an early win with the commitment of cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, the Tigers have missed out on running back TreVonte Citizen, who signed with Miami, and Westgate tight end Danny Lewis, who joins the Alabama Crimson Tide. LSU is still awaiting word on prospects Jacoby Mathews, Harold Perkins, and Caleb Douglas.

After the most successful season in program history, the Ragin’ Cajuns have had a solid day on the recruiting trail, securing four in-state commitments. UL has announced the signing of Zachary receiver Charles Robertson, Franklin running back Zylan Perry, and offensive linemen Kaden Moreau of Pineville and Trent Murphy out of Opelousas as part of Mike Desormeaux’s first class as head coach.

Tuesday night, the LSU men’s basketball team lost for the fifth time in six games, falling to Ole Miss, 72-76. The Tigers made a furious second half rally after trailing by as many as 24, but Will Wade says they could not overcome their slow start.

Cut 21 (8) “…to get better.”

Tiger Rag Magazine has obtained a letter from the attorneys that represent Sharon Lewis, who was recently fired from her position as LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, which requests the opportunity for Lewis to testify before the state, in the school’s ongoing Title IX investigation.

Now that Lewis is no longer with the University, she’s ready to talk. Tiger Rag editor Adam Hunsucker spoke with Committee chairperson, State Senator Regina Barrow, who is working to get another committee meeting on the docket as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (12) “…to do this.”

Lewis filed a $50 million lawsuit in Apr. 2021, claiming LSU officials violated the RICO Act to cover up Title IX complaints. The suit also claims Lewis was a victim of retaliation for reporting allegations former LSU football coach Les Miles sexually harassed student workers.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has confirmed that Doug Pederson, Brian Flores, and Aaron Glenn have interviewed for the team’s head coaching position. The Saints have yet to meet with in-house candidates Dennis Allen and Darren Rizzi.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team is really struggling as the 25th ranked Tigers were upset at home by Ole Miss as the Rebels defeated the Bayou Bengals 76-72 last night. LSU trailed by as many as 24 points as Ole Miss hit nine three-pointers on its way to just their third SEC win of the year. LSU has lost five of its last six and they are now 4-and-6 in the SEC.

Brandon Ingram returned to the Pelicans after missing the last three games with an ankle injury to lead New Orleans to a 111 to 101 win over the Pistons in Detroit. Ingram had 26 points as New Orleans ended a four-game losing streak. New Orleans is now 19 and 32 and will visit Denver on Friday.

It’s national signing day, so who is LSU targeting as they complete their 2022 recruiting class? Glen West, editor of LSU Country for Sports Illustrated gives us a run down…
cut 17 (14) “…..another offensive lineman
Three Louisiana prep stars could sign with LSU today. Ponchatoula four-star safety Jacoby Matthews, Lake Charles Prep four-star running back Trevonte Citizen and Westgate three-star tight end Danny Lewis.

The Saints reportedly interviewed former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores yesterday. The interview took place on the same day Flores sued the NFL and three teams alleging racist hiring practices for aspiring coaches. He also accuses the Dolphins of offering him 100-thousand dollars to lose games in order to get a top draft pick. Miami fired Flores last month.