I’m Jeanne Burns, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

Sources with the LSU football program say quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not sustain a major injury, when he sat out the last few reps of Wednesday’s practice. Thursday was a day off and the media is not allowed at today’s practice, but we’ll hear from offensive coordinator Joe Sloan following today’s practice.

Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says he’s been told Nussmeier is fine and that’s great news for LSU fans, because Nuss is essential for LSU getting to the playoffs…

Cut 19 (11) “…compromised”

Joe Burrow was in midseason form last night as he was 9 of 10 for 123 yards and two touchdown passes. One of the touchdown passes went to Ja’Marr Chase in a 34-27 loss to the Eagles in the preseason opener.

ULM football coach Bryant Vincent’s workload got heavier this week as he was named interim athletic director following the sudden resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent doesn’t look at Harwell’s resignation as a setback.

Cut 27 (10) “…come together.”

The Saints’ first preseason game is on Sunday against the Chargers. Everyone is watching the quarterback battle, but Luke Johnson, who covers the Saints for the Advocate, says who will be the third cornerback on this team is also up for grabs…

Cut 16 (19) “…as well”

Riley is a fourth-round pick out of Louisville. Kick-off on Sunday is at 3 PM.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is fine. That’s the word out of LSU after a rumor spread on the internet that Nussmeier suffered a serious injury towards the end of yesterday’s practice. LSU confirms Nussmeier did tweak his lower leg and but was only held out of practice as a precaution.

LSU brought in several new defensive linemen to contribute to defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s disruptive scheme. Coach Brian Kelly says the coaching staff has a lot of options.

Cut 17 (20)  “…pass rush now.”

The Saints offense looks to put out a dangerous product on the field with new head coach Kellen Moore. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (EE-lair) says Moore’s new system allows him to be the shifty back he knows he can be.

Cut 19 (19) “…is endless.”

The Saints practice this afternoon and tomorrow in Irvine, California as they continue preparations for their preseason opener against the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Southland Conference and ESPN have announced an extension of its media rights deal through 2031. The agreement guarantees five annual events on ESPN linear networks, including men’s basketball championship game, women’s basketball championship game, one men’s basketball tournament semifinal, one regular season men’s basketball game and at least one additional football, basketball, softball or baseball event.

I’m Jeanne Burns, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

You can’t believe everything you read on the internet. There was an internet rumor going around that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier possibly suffered a serious injury towards the end of yesterday’s practice. It is true Nussmeier did not finish the practice, but a source says it’s only because he tweaked something in his lower leg.

On3 reports Nussmeier was pulled from practice as a precaution. precaution. The Tigers have today off and will return to the practice field tomorrow.

It’s been a strong camp for sophomore cornerback PJ Woodland. Coach Brian Kelly likes Woodland’s versatility…

Cut 16 (16) “…brings that”

The Saints are in California, ahead of Sunday’s preseason game against the Chargers. New Orleans will practice today and tomorrow in Irvine. Coach Kellen Moore says this is not a break from training camp…

Cut 20 (17) “….for us”

It’s also NOT a joint practice with Los Angeles, they will wait until Sunday to compete against the Chargers.

The Saints have cut punter Matthew Hayball. Hayball handled the punting duties for the Black and Gold last season and averaged 44 yards a punt, which ranked 30^th in the NFL.

He was involved in a three-way competition in camp. Undrafted rookies James Burnip from Alabama and Kai Kroeger from South Carolina are now battling it out to be the Saints punter.

Fourth-string QB Hunter Dekkers replaces Hayball on the roster.

The Saints have released a depth chart ahead of Sunday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. It does not say who will start at quarterback, but the media covering camp say Spencer Rattler is outperforming Tyler Shough and Jake Haener.

At defensive end, Cam Jordan is starting at one end, while Carl Granderson and Chase Young are listed as co-starters at the other end. Jordan on the edge rushers on the roster…

Cut 26 (22) “…Arizona Cardinals”

The Saints will have two practices in Irvine, California, before playing the Chargers in the preseason opener on Sunday.

LSU has a deep wide receiver room. Coach Brian Kelly said last week that the Tigers have eight SEC caliber receivers. LSU also has a couple of pass catching tight ends in Trey’Dez Green and Oklahoma transfer Bauer Sharp. Kelly says Sharp’s experience and maturity are standing out.

Cut 17 (19)  “…the most.”

The Voice of Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band, B-J Bell, is  the first band announcer to land an NIL deal. Bell signed with Monroe-based Attorney Eddie Clark & Associates…

Cut 7 (13) “…NIL deal.”

I’m Jeanne Burns, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

The Saints have released their depth chart for the preseason opener against the Chargers and New Orleans does not give any indication on who will start at quarterback. The depth chart lists Spencer Rattler, or Tyler Shough or Jake Haener as the starter on Sunday.

How much will we see of LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry this season? Coming out of St. Martin’s High School in Metairie, Berry was ranked as the nation’s top rated running back. Coach Brian Kelly says Berry’s playing time will depend on his ability to adapt to the next level.

Cut 16 (18) “…playing here.”

Berry saw a lot of second team reps yesterday.

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UL-Lafayette had the Sun Belt’s second-best total defense in coordinator Jim Salgado’s first year with the program. The Cajuns lost first-team all-conference linebacker K.C. Ossai (O-sigh), but senior lineman Kadarius Miller says the defense is as stout as ever.

Cut 20 (19) “…pretty good.”

ULM announced head football coach Bryant Vincent has been named the interim Athletic Director following the surprise resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent was Hartwell’s most notable hire.

LSU women’s basketball team will host the defending SEC champion South Carolina on Valentine’s Day.

The West Caroll Dixie Youth Major League All-Stars were eliminated at the Dixie Youth Major League World Series losing to South Carolina and then Virginia.

This year’s LSU roster features a secondary with four incoming four-star transfer defensive backs, along with returning corners Ashton Stamps and PJ Woodland. Add in five-star freshman corner D.J. Pickett and five returning safeties, and head coach Brian Kelly says playing time becomes the ultimate motivator.

Cut 17 (15)  “…entire unit.”

The LSU Women’s basketball team announced its schedule today. It includes a Thanksgiving tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands and a road trip to face Duke in the ACC/SEC challenge. The Lady Tigers will face each SEC team once, except for Texas who they face twice. LSU will play a regular-season conference Saturday game for the first time since 2005 against South Carolina on Valentine’s Day.

ULM announced head football coach Bryant Vincent will be named the interim Athletic Director following the surprise resignation of John Hartwell. Vincent was perhaps Hartwell’s most notable hire and is rebuilding the Warhawk football program. He started 5-and-1 last season before losing the last six and missing out on a bowl game.

The Saints are packing up and heading to California tomorrow. In their eleventh practice today, Spencer Rattler became the first QB to get starting reps in back-to-back practices. Tyler Shough also saw some action with the first team, but Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson thinks Rattler is leading the pack.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of the trio.”

Head coach Kellen Moore said no decision has been made on the starter for Sunday’s preseason opener versus the Chargers. He did confirm running back Alvin Kamara won’t take the field, and rookie running back Devin Neal will be sidelined a couple weeks with a hamstring injury.

South Florida transfer defensive lineman Bernard Gooden has been one of the early standouts of LSU’s fall camp. Gooden received All-AAC honors after totaling 35 tackles, 10 TFL’s and one and a half sacks in 13 games last season. Kelly says his performance has elevated the defense.

Cut 18 (17) “…difficult to block.”

Southern quarterback Jalen Woods is the Jaguars’ lone returning quarterback, but the coaching staff says he still doesn’t have the job locked up. Woods won his two starts as a redshirt freshman last season, but he’s in a QB battle with Jackson State transfer Cam’Ron McCoy and freshman Dillon Compton. Woods is the favorite to earn the starting spot but head coach Terrence Graves says he has to earn it.

The Louisiana Tech defense is coming together under new coordinator Luke Olson. Olson led a Jacksonville State defense that was second in the conference in takeaways last season, and cornerback Cedric Woods says he’s brought that same mentality to Ruston.

Cut 19 (15) “…that ball.”

ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell announced a shocking resignation yesterday after just 18 months in Monroe. Sports Talk West Monroe Sports Director Sean Fox says it’s unknown whether he and new university president Dr. Carrie Castille had a falling out.

Cut 14 (12) “…they were behind.”

West Carroll is representing Louisiana at this year’s Diamond Youth Baseball Division One Majors World Series in Lexington, South Carolina. West Carroll has a quarterfinal game against South Carolina tonight.

I’m Colleen Crain, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

LSU is ranked ninth in the coaches’ poll. Texas is number one, followed by Ohio State.

Clemson, who LSU will face in the season opener, is ranked sixth.

During practice yesterday, Harold Perkins intercepted a pass and showed his ability to get in the backfield. Coach Brian Kelly likes what he’s seeing from Perkins…

Cut 16 (15) “…not distracted”

Kelly says South Florida transfer defensive lineman Bernard Gooden has also flashed.

The Saints return to practice today after taking yesterday off. Following today’s practice, New Orleans will fly out to California to continue camp before Sunday’s first preseason game against the Chargers.

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Big shakeup at ULM as Athletic Director John Hartwell resigns after 18 months on the job. Hartwell is responsible for several major hires, in particular head football coach Bryant Vincent, who led the Warhawks to a 5 and 1 start last season. Sean Fox, the sports director at Sports Talk West Monroe, says Hartwell gained a lot of credibility from the Vincent hire.

Cut 13 (11)  “…of the town.”

Louisiana Tech’s strength last season was its defense, but much of the defensive front has moved on. Veteran defensive lineman Judd Rouyea (ROO-ya) says he welcomed eight new guys to the D-line room…

Cut 20 (18) “….to be better” (2x)

LSU was ranked ninth in the US LBM preseason Coaches Poll. Head coach Brian Kelly has seen a motivated group of players, especially in the trenches. He says ongoing position battles and a competitive culture make for great practices.

Cut 12 (10) “…on the field.”

Clemson, the Tigers’ week one opponent, ranked sixth. Texas took home the top-ranked spot, while Georgia at four and Alabama at eight joined LSU as the four SEC schools in the top ten.

Wide Receiver Aaron Anderson has missed most of fall camp with nagging knee inflammation stemming from his time at Alabama. Kelly said he felt good today and should return to the practice field Wednesday.

Ju’Juan Johnson was a record-breaking quarterback at Lafayette Christian. He started at LSU as a defensive back, but moved to running back during his freshman season. He took snaps at quarterback in the spring but has seen reps at running back and even wide receiver in fall camp. Offensive tackle Tyree Adams believes Johnson can be a playmaker for the offense…

Cut 18 (14) “…make plays.”

The Louisiana Tech defense is picking up the pieces of one of the nation’s best units from a season ago. Coordinator Jermiah Johnson was lured to Coastal Carolina, and the Bulldogs are finding a new identity under former Jax State defensive coordinator Luke Olson. Returning cornerback Cedric Woods says they’re focused on 2025.

Cut 21 (12) “…on the future.”

We’re hearing from the representative who helped get the ban on handling cell phones while driving into law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell announced his resignation today after just 18 months on the job. Rumors swirled that the Alabama-native had his eyes set on the vacant AD position at the University of Troy, but AL.com reports that narrative is unfounded, and his resignation was due to budgetary concerns.

Bankrate has found Louisiana is home to some of the coldest housing markets in the nation. Shreveport and New Orleans are among the frostiest for the size of their markets. Bankrate data analyst Alex Gailey credits high homeowners’ insurance rates as one reason why selling a home in the Bayou State is no easy task.

Cut 9 (08)  “…housing costs.”

The Gulf of America dead zone is roughly the size of Connecticut this year. While only slightly above the typical average, LSU Oceanography Professor Nancy Rabalais says that’s still large. She says the zone is an area of low to no oxygen, unable to support marine life, caused by excess nutrients making their way off land and into the Gulf.

Cut 6 (10) “…the oxygen.”