Saints Head Coach Sean Payton will miss Sunday’s game against the defending NFL champion Tampa Bay Bucs, after testing positive for COVID. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will fill Payton’s shoes. Allen says so far Payton is the only coach on the staff to test positive, but they’ll make more changes if needed..:
CUT 13(11) “…have to adjust.”
While Allen will serve as the head coach, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will call plays on Sunday night.

LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan says he will not play in the Texas Bowl on January fourth. Brennan told a Baton Rouge radio station that he hasn’t practiced since last April and would like a fresh start with the new coaching staff. Brennan missed the 2021 season with a broken non-throwing arm.

The Pelicans beat the Milwaukee Bucks last night 116 to 112.

There are two college bowl games in Louisiana today. In the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, U-A-B will face 13th ranked BYU. The Cougars are led by Tyler Allgeier who has rushed for 14-hundred yards and 20 touchdowns.

Tonight it’s the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl as the 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns face Marshall Thundering Herd. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says U-L Lafayette has a great defense…
cut 7 (06) “…offensive weapons”
Marshall freshman quarterback Grant Wells has thrown for 34-hundred yards and 16 touchdowns, but he’s also been intercepted 12 times. Kick-off is at 8:15.

And in Bossier City tonight. 19th ranked LSU visits Louisiana Tech. LSU is undefeated, while the Bulldogs are eight and two and led by Kenneth Lofton, who is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds a game. Tip time is at 6.

Also today, ULM hosts Southern Miss at 2 PM. The Warhawks are a 7.5 point favorite.

The Saints have won four straight NFC South titles, but on Sunday Tampa Bay can clinch an NFC South title with a win over New Orleans. Quarterback Tom Brady leads the NFL in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns with 36. But Safety Malcom Jenkins says they can’t just focus on Brady and his dangerous receiving targets. Jenkins says running back Leonard Fournette was a big reason why Tampa Bay won last year’s playoff game…
cut 19 (12) “….their offense”
Fournette has 778 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Tampa Bay is an 11-point favorite.

LSU needs help on the offensive line for next season and they apparently got a good one out of the transfer portal. FIU offensive tackle Miled Frazier has committed to the Tigers. He’s rated as the number two offensive tackle available in the transfer portal, according to 24-7 sports. Ohio State and Florida State also wanted Frazier.
The college football bowl season kicks-off today and tomorrow there are two games in Louisiana. At 2:30 in Shreveport it’s the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl between 13th ranked BYU and U-A-B. Rain is in the forecast and this is the first meeting between these two schools.

Then on Saturday night in the Superdome, the 16th ranked Ragin Cajuns will face Marshall. U-L Lafayette has ruled out five starters in this game, including running back Chris Smith and defensive tackle Tayland Humphrey.

The 19th ranked LSU men’s basketball team looks to stay undefeated when they face Louisiana Tech in Bossier City on Saturday night. The Tigers lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing 53 points a game.

Also tomorrow, ULM hosts Southern Miss at 2 PM. The Warhawks are 4-and-0 at home this year. Nicholls also looks to stay undefeated at home as the Colonels host Mississippi Valley State. McNeese takes on Dallas Christian at Burton Coliseum.

Tonight the Pelicans host the NBA Champs, as the Milwaukee Bucks make their only visit to the Smoothie King Center. Former Pelican Jrue (Drew) Holiday returns averaging 16 points and seven assists a game.

The Saints and Buccaneers renew their rivalry on Sunday night when the two teams meet in Tampa Bay. New Orleans has won the past six regular season meetings, but it was the Bucs who beat the Saints in the playoffs last January. Running back Alvin Kamara on the matchup…:
Cut 17 (19) “ ready for it”
The Bucs can win the NFC South with a win on Sunday. Quarterback Tom Brady leads the NFL in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns with 36. Kickoff is 7:20pm.

LSU fans are happy campers today as word came down Thursday 5th year senior Quarterback Myles Brennan will return to the Tigers after transferring earlier this year.

The latest update from UL-Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux revealed some new information regarding two Cajun starters. Defensive lineman Tayland Humphrey and running back Chris Smith are out for the Cajuns in the New Orleans Bowl which takes play tomorrow night.

In other Louisiana Bowl action tomorrow, the BYU Cougars and UAB Blazers football teams are scheduled to square off in the 2021 Independence Bowl in Shreveport. Kickoff is set for 2:30 at Shreveport’s Independence Stadium.

Also in northwest Louisiana, the undefeated LSU men’s basketball team will be taking on Louisiana Tech Saturday night. The match-up was originally scheduled at Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City to be played in November 2020.

The New Orleans Pelicans say that Zion Williamson will continue to be limited for an extended period following an injection to promote healing in his right foot. They say the Pels star will receive further imaging and reevaluation 4-6 weeks from now.

LSU’s quarterback situation looks much better as a former starter decides to stay a Tiger…
cut 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

But LSU receiver Trey Palmer has put his name into the transfer portal and former Fighting Tigers cornerback Eli Ricks has announced he’s transferring to Alabama.

The Pelicans announced that Zion Williamson will be re-evaluated in another four to six weeks after getting an injection in his injured right foot. The injection is designed to stimulate bone healing as he continues to recover from a fracture.

The Saints continue preparations for Sunday’s primetime matchup against The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coach Sean Payton says the passing game needs to click in order to upset the Bucs…
cut 17 (12) “…so well”
Hill threw for 175 yards last week in a 30-9 win over the Jets.

New Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie signed eleven players on Wednesday. Cumbie says there are four wide receivers in this class they are really excited about…
Cut 20 (17) “ push them”
Louisiana Tech’s class includes Calvary Baptist Quarterback Landry Lyddy, the 2021 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly’s first signing class in Baton Rouge is at 13 players after the first day of the early college football signing period. Ten of the players are from the state of Louisiana and two of them are five-star prospects, St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard and Neville offensive lineman Will Campbell. Campbell says he’s eager to learn from offensive line coach Brad Davis…
cut 30 (09) “…earn my spot”
According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s 2021 recruiting class is ranked 18th.

First-year Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie has signed 11 players, including four wide receivers and the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Louisiana, Calvary Baptist Quarterback Landry Lyddy, who threw for four-thousand and 53 touchdowns this past season.

The Saints are getting ready to play the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers on Sunday night. Former LSU Tiger and New Orleans native Leonard Fournette has flourished since arriving in Tampa Bay last year. Saints Coach Sean Payton says Fournette is a great three-down back…
Cut 16 (13) “..good addition”
Payton was not at practice yesterday as he’s feeling ill, but has not tested positive for COVID. Defensive end Cam Jordan and running back Mark Ingram remain away from the team after testing positive for the virus last week.

It’s been a tough season for the Pelicans, but the highlight play of the year for the Pels occurred last night when guard Devonte Graham made a 61-foot bank shot at the buzzer to give New Orleans a 113 to 110 win against Oklahoma City. New Orleans is 9-and-21 on the season.

LSU football signed 13 players on the opening day of the early signing period, including two five-star recruits, Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s recruiting class is ranked as the 18th best in the country.

First-year U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux signed eight players. One of those signees is Madison Prep Quarterback Zeon Chriss who led the Chargers to a Class 3A state championship in 2020. Desormeaux says Chriss is more than just an athletic quarterback …
cut 19 (25) “…about him”
Louisiana Tech’s class includes Calvary Baptist Quarterback Landry Lyddy, the 2021 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.

Saints Coach Sean Payton was not at practice yesterday as he’s under the weather, but has tested negative for COVID. He’s staying away from the team facility out of an abundance of caution.

Meanwhile, preparation for Sunday night’s game against the Buccaneers continues. Tampa Bay has become the team to beat in the NFC South as future hall of fame quarterback Tom Brady continues to play at an MVP level. Payton was asked if he thought Brady would be this good with the Bucs…
cut 18 (16) “…Payton laughs”
Offensive tackles Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead were not at practice yesterday because of injuries. Cam Jordan and Mark Ingram also remain out because of COVID.

The Pelicans won last night on a 61-foot bank shot at the buzzer by Devonte Graham as New Orleans defeated Oklahoma City 113 to 110.

College hoops…Nicholls had a double-digit lead in the second half but the Colonels lost to Wisconsin 71-68 in Madison.

LSU has signed nine players on this opening day of the early signing period including St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Howard is a five-star prospect, but LSU’s recruiting class is ranked 18th in the country. Howard says don’t sell this class short…
cut 14 (12) “….get with em soon”
Geaux 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Billy Embody on the four offensive linemen LSU signed today…
cut 20 (20) “..right way”
Campbell is another five-star prospect. But four-star wide receiver Shazz Preston from St. James signed with Alabama today.

LSU football has started bowl practices as they get ready to play Kansas State in the Texas Bowl on January 4th. With Max Johnson in the transfer portal, who will start for the Tigers at quarterback? LSU interim head coach Brad Davis says they hope it’s Garrett Nussmeier, even though if he plays another game this season he could lose his redshirt season
Cut 16 (22) “..on offense”

According to the Saints injury report…offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk did not practice today. Ramczyk has missed several weeks with a knee injury. Cam Jordan and Mark Ingram remain out because of COVID.

Today is the first day of the early signing period for college football. The LSU Tigers have signed eight players so far and Billy Embody with Geaux 2-4-7 sports expects LSU to sign more than ten players during the early signing period…
Cut 18 (21) “.offers”
Embody mentioned Quency Wiggins from Madison Prep and the dynamic defensive end signed with LSU today. So did three-star wide receiver Landon Ibeita from Mandeville.

LSU is seeking a waiver from the NCAA in order to have Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to play in the bowl game and still count this as a redshirt season, even though it would be the fifth game he’s appeared in this year. If the waiver is denied, who will start at quarterback against Kansas State on January fourth? Wide receiver Jontre Kirkland is a possibility, a former Q-B at Lutcher High. Interim head coach Brad Davis says Kirkland will play in the bowl game but didn’t say which position…
Cut 17 (20) “ this team”

The early college football signing period begins today. Two five-star prospects are expected to sign at LSU. Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Billy Embody with Geaux 2-4-7 says with the lack of depth at quarterback, Howard will have a chance to play right away…
cut 19 (20) “…the position’

Who will be the quarterback when the Tigers face Kansas State in the Texas Bowl on January fourth. Interim head coach Brad Davis says they hope Garrett Nussmeier will be the guy, as they seek a waiver from the NCAA for him to be able to play in the bowl game but still maintain his redshirt season. If Nussmeier doesn’t play, it’s unclear who will start at Q-B.

The 19th ranked LSU men’s basketball team improved to 10-0 as they easily defeated Northwestern State 89-49 last night. LSU leads the nation in scoring defense and held to the Demons to 15 points in the first half, the lowest point total allowed by LSU during the Will Wade area. Tari Eason came off the bench to score 18 points to lead LSU.

The Tigers are in Bossier City this Saturday night to play Louisiana Tech at the Brookshire Grocery Arena. The Bulldogs won their fourth straight last night as they defeated the Pilots 84-70. David Green scored a career-high 21 points to lead Tech.

Sophomore Jordan Brown had 13 points and 14 points, but the Ragin Cajuns lost to 14th ranked Houston 71-56 at the Fertitta Center.

ULM hit 11-three-pointers and beat Stephen F Austin 82-69. Southeastern Louisiana was 6-for-33 from the three-point line and the Lions lost to Louisville 86-60. And UAB beat Grambling 79-61.

LSU interim coach Brad Davis said today the Tigers are hoping freshman Garrett Nussmeier can play in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State on January fourth but maintain his redshirt season. Nussmeier is the only scholarship quarterback on the roster, but if he plays in the Texas Bowl, he can not use this as a red-shirt season and still have four years of eligibility left. Davis says they have several quarterbacks taking reps, but didn’t say who, but is confident they’ll be able to move the ball against the Wildcats.

The Saints are an eleven-point underdog heading into Sunday night’s match-up with the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So will Coach Sean Payton use the big point spread as extra motivation????
cut 19 (19) “…significant”

The 19th ranked LSU men’s basketball hosts Northwestern State in a game that looks to be a blowout in favor of the Tigers. The Bayou Bengals are 9-and-0 while the Demons are two and eight. Tip-off in Baton Rouge is at six.

In other action, the Ragin Cajuns are at 14th ranked Louisville, ULM visits Stephen F Austin and Louisiana Tech hosts LSU-Shreveport at 6:30.

Longtime TCU special teams’ coordinator-slash-coach Dan Sharp has been named assistant head coach and special teams coach at Louisiana Tech. Bulldogs head coach Sonny Cumbie says Sharp has been in charge of some of the most well-coached, explosive special teams’ units he’s seen.

Cajuns starting running back Chris Smith is questionable for Saturday’s New Orleans Bowl against Marshall. Coach Michael Desormeaux says Smith is dealing with a banged-up knee. He’s rushed for a team-high 855 yards and eight touchdowns this season.