Members of the LSU football team marched through campus today as the players say its time to stand up for racial justice. This week we’ve seen several sports teams hold demonstrations in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man shot in the back seven times in Wisconsin by police officers in Kenosha.

Today, LSU football players gathered outside of Tiger Stadium and marched to the university president’s office where they spoke with interim president Thomas Galligan. In a post on Twitter, Galligan thanked LSU student-athletes for speaking up and the university stands with them against racism and inequality. U-L Lafayette also held a march to protest social injustice.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Saints spokesperson Greg Bensel says Benson has developed some symptoms but is doing fine and recovering at home.

There are reports the Big 10 may start its football season around Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, LSU is four weeks away from its season opener against Mississippi State. The SEC announced today that if there is a season, only essential personnel will be allowed on the sidelines, so that means no on-field band performances.

The Conference USA announced game times for their football games this season. The Bulldogs league opener against Southern Miss on September 19th will kick off at 6:30 on ESPN-plus. The home opener the next week against Houston Baptist will kick off at 6 PM, so will the next home game on October 10th versus UTEP. A game time for the September 12th season opener against Baylor hasn’t been announced. That will come from the Big 12.

The NBA playoffs will resume tomorrow as there will be three games, starting with the Bucks versus the Magic at 2:30. It was Milwaukee who started the sport team boycotts when they decided not to play on Wednesday.

Nine NFL teams canceled their practices yesterday as players used that time to discuss the large societal issues that face our country. This type of movement from professional athletes started in the NBA, who had a second straight night of no games in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake Junior, a black man shot seven times in the back in Wisconsin.

The Saints practiced yesterday but had a sticker with Jacob Blake’s name on the front of their helmets. Coach Sean Payton says they didn’t talk about canceling practice, but they wanted to do something…
cut 30 (24) “….for it”
The NBA playoffs are expected to resume soon.

ULM’s season opener against Troy on September fifth has been postponed to December fifth. Last Thursday, the Warhawks suspended football-related activities after COVID-19 testing confirmed nine COVID-19 positive cases. Football activities were canceled yesterday because of Hurricane Laura. Athletics Director Scott McDonald says they came to the realization that their student-athletes would not have sufficient time to prepare for a game on September fifth. The Warhawks new season opener is September 12th versus Army.

Hurricane Laura did damage to athletic facilities at McNeese State. The school’s new basketball sustained damage, a new video board at Cowboy Stadium was also damaged, along with the press box at the football stadium.

The SEC announced that women’s soccer and volleyball will have a shortened fall season where they will play games and matches against other conference opponents. Those sports will also compete in the spring as well as the NCAA has decided to move fall championships to the spring.

The Saints practiced indoors today as Hurricane Laura passed by the team’s training facility to the west. The Saints had stickers with Jacob Blake’s name on it and placed the stickers on their helmets. Coach Sean Payton says the team wanted to do something after several NBA teams decided not to play their playoff games last night in response to the police shooting in Wisconsin that has left Blake paralyzed…
cut 30 (24) “…for it”

It looks like the NBA playoffs will continue this weekend. NBA players gathered inside the bubble last night and discussed ending the season, but ESPN reports the players are looking at resuming the playoffs.

ULM’s season opener against Troy on September fifth has been rescheduled for December fifth. It was last Friday when the Warhawks paused football-related activities after a round of COVID-19 tests produced new positives. The team was set to initiate return-to-play protocols yesterday, but the campus has been closed because of Hurricane Katrina. ULM Athletics Director Scott McDonald says they came to the realization that their student-athletes would not have sufficient time to prepare for a game on September fifth.

Despite a report that LSU has only four offensive linemen available, because the rest either tested positive for COVID-19 or quarantine, the Tigers held a practice at their indoor facility. The school has not confirmed or denied that report.

Governor Edwards has extended Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for two more weeks until September 11th. So what does this mean for high school football who plans to begin its season October 8th? Many coaches agree the season could still start on that date if the state can move into Phase 3 after this two-week extension concludes.

Are Will Wade’s days numbered at LSU? Many Tiger fans are asking that question as multiple media outlets report the NCAA has information that Wade allegedly offered impermissible payments to 11 recruits and or others around him. The Advocate has uncovered a letter that says the NCAA will turn the case over to the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, a panel set up to handle complex cases. That committee will determine if the NCAA should send LSU a notice of allegations, which according to Wade’s contract, is enough for the school to fire him.

Governor Edwards says the state will remain in Phase 2 of the coronavirus reopening for two more weeks until September 11th. So what does this mean for high school football who plans to begin its season October 8th? Many coaches agree there’s still a chance to begin the season on that date if the state can move into Phase 3 after this two-week extension concludes.

The NBA season might be over as three playoff games scheduled for yesterday never happened as players are calling for racial justice in response to the police shooting in Wisconsin that left Jacob Blake paralyzed from the waist down. Blake an unarmed black man was shot seven times in the back. The players still competing in the bubble met last night and according to a report from The Athletic, the Lakers and Clippers voted to cancel the season. NBA owners are expected to talk today.

Three major league baseball games were also postponed as well, plus the WNBA didn’t play last night and most of the M-L-S schedule was postponed.

LSU football practiced yesterday despite reports that all but four offensive linemen have been quarantined due to coronavirus exposure. According to SEC protocols, a player who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate at least ten days after their positive test.

The Saints are planning to practice in the Superdome on Saturday.

ESPN has obtained documents from the NCAA’s enforcement staff that say men’s basketball coach Will Wade arranged for, offered and or provided impermissible payments, including cash to at least eleven men’s basketball recruits or others around them. The Advocate reports this morning that the case may be turned over to an independent panel that handles complex NCAA infraction matters. And Sports Illustrated is reporting that they have a letter from Will Wade’s attorney that says the NCAA is frustrated its long investigation has failed to yield any evidence of a violation.

The NBA playoffs could be put on hold as several teams have decided not to take the court over the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to refuse to take their court prior to their Game Five matchup against the Orlando Magic. The Thunder and Rockets have also decided not to play tonight.

The Advocate reports all but four LSU offensive linemen are in quarantine after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus. According to the SEC, players who test positive for the coronavirus must isolate for at least ten days after their positive test. There’s no word on if LSU is pressing pause on preseason camp.

LSU is 31 days away from its season opener against Mississippi State. During a zoom press conference with reporters yesterday, LSU football coach Ed Orgeron talked about how players have to make a sacrifice if they want to play…
cut 17 (25) “….careful”

ESPN is reporting the NCAA has learned that LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade either arranged for or offered impermissible payments to at least eleven potential recruits or others around them. That’s according to NCAA documents obtained by ESPN. The NCAA enforcement staff is reportedly being turned over to an independent panel that handles complex NCAA infractions matters.

At LSU camp, two freshmen are battling it out to be Myles Brennan’s backup at quarterback. Orgeron says TJ Finley and Max Johnson are talented and they have great character and smarts…
cut 19 (20) “…calm in the pocket”
Orgeron says wide receiver Koy Moore, a freshman from Rummel High, has really been impressive during camp.

Ticket prices are set for the Louisiana Tech-ULM matchup on November 21st. Single game ticket prices are set at 40-dollars for chairbacks, 30-dollars for sideline bench and 20-dollars for end zone. Discount prices are available to season ticket holders. Louisiana Tech’s seats will be on the east side, while ULM fans will sit on the other side.

LSU junior wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and sophomore cornerback Derek Stingley Junior have been named to the Associated Press All-American first team. Meanwhile, Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron has been impressed with new linebacker Jabril Cox, who was a two-time All-American at North Dakota State. Coach Ed Orgeron likes how Cox goes about his business…
cut 18 (25) “….complete linebacker”
Orgeron says he’s also keeping an eye on the transfer portal as he’s interested in adding a cornerback to the roster. Orgeron says it’s a position that could use more depth.

The Ragin Cajuns are picked to repeat as the Sun Belt Western Division Champs in the league’s preseason coaches poll. U-L Lafayette is picked ahead of Arkansas State and South Alabama. ULM is picked to finish in last place in the West.

ULM has finally finalized its 2020 schedule as the Warhawks will host the UTEP Miners on September 26th and they’ll return the trip to El Paso in a future season.

Four Bulldogs represent Louisiana Tech on the preseason all-Conference USA Team, which is voted on by the league’s 14 head coaches. They are running back Justin Henderson, offensive lineman Kody Russey, defensive lineman Willie Baker and deep snapper Reeves Blankenship.

Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana are ranked in the F-C-S Top 25. The Colonels are ranked 14th, while the Lions are ranked 21st and McNeese is receiving votes.

And there are a lot of high school football coaches who are not happy with Governor John Bel Edwards, who is expected to officially announce today that the state will remain in Phase 2. Louisiana needs to be in Phase 3 for football games to be played.

LSU coach Ed Orgeron said today that they have one more scholarship left and he would like to sign a defensive back. Kary Vincent’s decision to opt-out has left them a body short in the secondary…
cut 20 (24) “…in camp”
Orgeron says safety Mo Hampton has also looked good as he’s lost a good deal of body fat.

Former LSU Tiger safety Grant Delpit will miss his first season in the NFL. Delpit injured his Achillies Tendon at Cleveland Browns training camp.

Riley Smith who pitched for LSU in 2016 has been called up by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It may have been a chaotic offseason but Saints Coach Sean Payton says his players are getting back into the groove of normal training camp activities. He says the past few days the emphasis has been less on-field training and more on football IQ.
Cut 16 (18) “…situations”

The Ragin Cajuns are picked to repeat as the Sun Belt Western Division Champs in the league’s preseason coaches poll. U-L Lafayette is picked ahead of Arkansas State and South Alabama. ULM is picked to finish in last place in the West.

ULM has finalized its 2020 schedule as the Warhawks will host the Miners on September 26th and they’ll return the trip to El Paso in a future season.

LSU plans to continue practicing this week, but they are monitoring Hurricane Laura and its impact on the Baton Rouge area. Reserve tight end Aaron Moffitt will miss the rest of the season as he’s torn his ACL. The son of head strength coach Tommy Moffitt played on special teams last season.

The Cleveland Browns confirmed today that former LSU star Grant Delpit will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. Delpit went down during practice yesterday.

The Saints are off today and expected to return to training camp tomorrow. So far the reports on quarterback Jameis Winston have been good as he’ll serve as a back-up to Drew Brees. Second-year offensive lineman Erik McCoy says Winston is adapting to the new playbook and expectations…
cut 18 (10) “…now”

The defending national champion LSU Tigers are ranked sixth in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 rankings. The Tigers received one first-place vote. Clemson is ranked number one, Ohio State is number two, but they will not play in the fall because of the coronavirus pandemic. Once the games start, AP voters will only rank teams that are playing.

What about the college football playoff? The C-F-P says they will begin issuing regular rankings on November 17th and select the four teams that will participate in the playoff on December 20th. The semifinals are still set for New Year’s Day, the Sugar and Rose Bowls will be the semis. The national title game is set for January 11th in Miami.

ULM has made it official, they will play at Army on September 12th. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says receiver Cassius Allen has suffered what appears to be a significant knee injury.

At Saints camp, the coaches are trying to figure out who will start at center this season. It could be either last year’s second-round pick Erik McCoy or this year’s first-round draft pick Ceasar Ruiz. Either player could also play right guard. Coach Sean Payton says they don’t have a clear idea yet on who will play what position…
cut 17 (11) “…combination”
The position battle opened up after the Saints released veteran right guard Larry Warford after drafting Ruiz.

Former LSU star and Browns rookie safety Grant Delpit was carted off the field yesterday and the concern is that he injured his Achilles tendon. Shortly after Delpit got hurt, another former Tiger, starting cornerback Greedy Williams went down with a shoulder injury for the Browns.