The state high school football championships are moving from New Orleans to Natchitoches and the nine title games will be played at Turpin Stadium over a four-day period from December 27th to the 30th. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says the association’s executive committee made this difficult decision over concerns fans might not be allowed inside the Superdome…
cut 12 (11) “….verses not”
Turpin Stadium’s capacity is 15,500 so Bonine expects to have 25-percent capacity for the nine prep classic games. A schedule of when the title games will be held is expected to be released later this week.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson has named rookie Jalen Hurts as his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Saints.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron has confirmed the reports freshman tight end Arik Gilbert is thinking about opting out of the rest of the season. Orgeron says Gilbert’s body is hurting and his mother came into town to speak with him. Gilbert has also been described as homesick and not happy with his role in the offense. Veteran offensive Liam Shanahan says his teammates are here for Gilbert
cut 17 (20) “…mind’s at.”
The Tigers are set to visit sixth-ranked Florida with or without Gilbert on Saturday night.

The Ragin Cajuns have moved up to number 19 in the latest college football playoff rankings. The U-L Lafayette basketball team defeated L-S-U Alexandria 90-75 last night as Cedric Russell scored 19 points.

Tonight, Southeastern Louisiana is at Louisiana Tech, Southern visits Arkansas and Tulane hosts Southern Miss.

LSU Freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is considering opting out of the season. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the Georgia native is apparently homesick and wants to give his body a break.

Cut 9 (10) “..not a good thing.”

Gilbert’s possible departure is just another negative story surrounding this football program that was on top of the college football world a year ago. During his Monday Press Conference, Coach Ed Orgeron said there are brighter days ahead…
cut 16 (21) “….teams again”
Orgeron says he may give freshman Max Johnson his first start at quarterback when the Tigers visit sixth-ranked Florida on Saturday.

After beating Appalachian State for the first time in school history on Friday, the Ragin Cajuns have this Saturday off, which gives them two weeks to get ready to play Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Championship game. Meanwhile, the Chanticleers have a game this Saturday at Troy. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says the extra time to prepare doesn’t automatically mean they have an advantage over Coastal
cut 19 (19) “…going to do.”

Louisiana Tech’s Israel Tucker has been named Conference USA co-offensive player of the week after rushing for a career-high 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs victory over North Texas last week. Tech ends its regular season on Saturday when they visit TCU.

LSU freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is considering opting out the remainder of the 2020 season and possibly transferring.  The star TE has caught 35 passes for 368 yards and 2 touchdowns through the first eight games of the season.

The Tigers may make a change at quarterback as head coach Ed Orgeron says they are considering starting Max Johnson this week against the Florida Gators.  Johnson has replaced TJ Finley in games against Texas A&M and Alabama.  Against the Crimson Tide, Johnson was 11-17 with 110 yards passing.

LSU’s struggling defense faces another big challenge this Saturday when they take on Florida in Gainesville.  Orgeron says they need to contain Kyle Pitts, who has 11 receiving touchdowns on the season.

Cut 18 (18) “a lot of speed”

ULM has fired head football coach Matt Viator after and 0-10 record in 2020.  The Monroe News Star is reporting that Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs and former Ragin Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth could be candidates for the Warhawks head coaching vacancy.  Southeastern Louisiana head coach Frank Scelfo and LA Tech offensive coordinator Joe Sloan are reportedly candidates as well.

Southern Miss is once again adding a coach from the state of Louisiana to its staff as they are hiring Ragin Cajuns inside linebackers coach Austin Armstrong as the school’s next Defensive Coordinator.  He will work under new head coach Will Hall, who was previously Tulane’s offensive coordinator.

Nicholls State is suspending all men’s basketball activities through Dec. 26 because of Covid-19 and contact tracing.  This will result in the cancellation of five games, including a game against number two Baylor.

Former LSU athletic director and baseball coach Skip Bertman has been released from the hospital after a nearly weeklong stay due to rhinovirus.

Taysom Hill threw his first two NFL touchdown passes and the Saints won their ninth straight as they defeated Atlanta 21-16 yesterday. It looked like this would be an easy victory for the Saints. But Hill fumbled the ball in the red zone as they were set to go up by 19 and the Falcons recovered and later scored to make it a five-point game. That’s Hill’s eighth fumble on the season
cut 18 (20) “…the ball.”
The Saints are at Philadelphia this Sunday. It’s possible Drew Brees could return for that game. The Eagles are 3-8-and-1 and could start rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback after he replaced an ineffective Carson Wentz yesterday.

Saturday’s LSU-Alabama game was the blowout most people expected as the Crimson Tide rolled past the Tigers 55-17. LSU center Liam Shanahan says it’s a disappointing loss…
cut 19 (19) “…top teams”
The Tigers are at sixth-ranked Florida this Saturday.

ULM is searching for a new head coach as the school announced today it’s parting ways with Matt Viator. The Warhawks are 0-10 this year. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says Viator is not the only coach to find it difficult to win at ULM…
Cut 5 (12) “..head coach”

Saints Quarterback Taysom Hill threw his first two touchdowns passes of his NFL career yesterday as New Orleans won its ninth straight, beating Atlanta 21-16. The 30-year-old was asked about his TD passes, but he says he’s more excited they got the victory…
cut 17 (20) “…win”
New Orleans is now 8-0 over the last two seasons in games that Drew Brees does not play in. Brees is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from multiple rib fractures and there’s a chance he could play this Sunday in Philadelphia. The Eagles lost again yesterday, but there’s a chance rookie Jalen Hurts will start at QB this Sunday after replacing Carson Wentz in Sunday’s loss to the Packers.

A Monroe television station is reporting ULM football Coach Matt Viator has been fired as the Warhawks have lost eleven straight dating back to last season. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says victories have been hard to come by for Viator…
cut 3 (07) “….pretty historic”
Viator was hired five years ago after a successful run as the head coach at McNeese State. But he was just 19-and-39 at ULM.

LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini is back on the hot seat after Alabama ripped through the Tigers defense in a 55-17 win on Saturday night. Coach Ed Orgeron has said any potential changes would come after the season concludes. And even though the Tigers could end up with a losing record in the regular season, athletics director Scott Woodward says the team still plans on playing in a bowl game.

Taysom Hill threw his first two NFL touchdown passes and the Saints won their ninth straight as they defeated Atlanta 21-16. Hill threw for 232 yards on the day. It looked like this would be an easy victory for the Saints. But Hill fumbled the ball in the red zone as they were set to go up by 19 and the Falcons recovered and later scored to make it a five-point game. That’s Hill’s eighth fumble on the season
cut 18 (20) “…the ball.”
The Saints will complete their three-game road trip at Philadelphia next Sunday. It’s possible Brees could return and play in that game. The Eagles are 3-8-and-1 and could start rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback after he replaced Carson Wentz in the third quarter yesterday.

Many expected a blowout loss on Saturday for the Fighting Tigers and that’s what we got as number one ranked Alabama rolled LSU 55-17 as the Bayou Bengals are 3-and-5. The 55 points are the most Alabama has ever scored against LSU. Coach Ed Orgeron was asked how a loss like this can impact recruiting…
cut 20 (15) “….for us”
24-7 sports ranks LSU’s 2021 recruiting class as the third-best in the country and the early signing period is a week from Wednesday.

LSU is at Florida for a 6 PM kickoff next Saturday and athletics director Scott Woodward expects the Tigers will play in a bowl game, even if they finish with a losing record.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier is staying. He reportedly interviewed for the South Carolina head coaching job. But Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer has been hired to replace the fired Will Muschamp.

In the high school football playoffs last night, in Class 5A, 13th seeded Ruston went on the road and beat fourth seeded Ponchatoula 42-26. In Four-A, 12th seeded Minden defeated Leesville 21-14. The Crimson Tide will host fourth seeded Neville in the quarterfinals. The Tigers are in the quarterfinals for a 12th consecutive time as they defeated Westgate 53-34. In Two-A, 10th seeded Port Allen knocked off defending champion Ferriday 22-20. The Pelicans will face Mangham in the quarters. The Dragons defeated Kentwood 33-27.

For the first time ever, the Ragin Cajuns defeated Appalachian State as U-L Lafayette held on to beat the Mountainees 24-21. Trey Ragas (Ray-gus) rushed for two touchdowns and the defense held App State to less than 100 yards throwing. U-L Lafayette will now get ready to play Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt title game in two weeks.

LSU’s defense is coming off its best game of the season last Saturday, but they face a huge challenge today when they host number one ranked Alabama, who is averaging 49 points a game. Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini says it took time for him to learn the personnel and the players to learn his 4-3 system.
Cut 15 (11) “…starting to understand.”
2010 was the last time the Tigers defeated Alabama at home. Kick off tonigth is at 7 PM.

ULM looks to snap a ten-game losing streak as they visit Arkansas State. Tulane takes on Memphis in New Orleans.

The Saints will battle Atlanta on Sunday. New Orleans has won eight straight. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins is out with an injury and defensive end Marcus Davenport will not play because of a concussion. Julio Jones and Todd Gurley are questionable for Atlanta.

The Pelicans schedule is out, they open the season December 23 versus the Raptors.

Alabama is almost a 30-point favorite to beat LSU tomorrow night in Tiger Stadium. LSU Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini is impressed with Alabama’s offense which is led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Mac Jones, bruising running back Najee Harris and Louisiana’s own DeVonta Smith, who has 12 touchdowns.
Cut 16 (10) “…do that yet”

Too bad LSU does not have Cam Jordan. The Saints defensive end was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November. Jordan had five sacks last month as the defense as a whole has stepped up its game…
cut 30 (15) “…we thing”
The Saints are at Atlanta on Sunday. Jordan had a three-sack performance versus the Falcons on November 22nd.

The 25th ranked Ragin Cajuns will face the Appalachian State Mountaineers tonight on ESPN at 7:30. U-L Lafayette has yet to beat App State in their eight previous tries. Head Coach Billy Napier says they have complete respect for the Mountaineers.
Cut 20 (17) “this week”
The Cajuns are a slight underdog in tonight’s game.

ULM is a three-touchdown underdog in tomorrow afternoon’s contest against Arkansas State. Based on the depth chart provided by the Warhawks, they only have 21 players available on defense.

Tulane closes out its regular season tomorrow at 11 AM by hosting Memphis. A win can give the Green Wave a six and five record.

The Pelicans have released the first half of their schedule. New Orleans will open the season on December 22nd versus the Raptors. The game will be played in Tampa because that’s where the Raptors are playing their home games.

The New Orleans Saints will travel to Atlanta this Sunday to take on the Falcons.  Quarterback Taysom Hill made his first NFL start against this team two weeks ago, meaning the Falcons have experience in defending him.  Despite being 2-0 as a starter, Hill says there’s still a lot of things he needs to improve on.

Cut 18 (09) “doing that well”

LSU will host the number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday.  TJ Finley will get the nod at quarterback after edging out fellow freshman Max Johnson.  Here’s coach Ed Orgeron on what they need to do for Finley to be successful.

Cut 30 (21) “protect them”

The 25^th ranked Ragin Cajuns will face the Appalachian State Mountaineers tonight on ESPN at 7:30.  The Mountaineers have a strong ground game, led by running back Camerun Peoples.  Peoples has rushed for 639 yards, he is joined in the backfield by Daetrich Harrington.  The two have combined to score 13 touchdowns.  The Cajuns have yet to beat App State in their eight previous tries.  Head Coach Billy Napier says they have complete respect for the Mountaineers.

Cut 20 (17) “this week”

Louisiana Tech beat North Texas last night 42-31 in their first game since Halloween, which helped the Bulldogs improve to 5-3 on the season.  Quarterback Luke Anthony threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns.  But it was the ground game that led the way as Israel Tucker carried the ball a whopping 37 times for 161 yards and two scores.

After a month off, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs won for a fifth straight time at North Texas last night beating the Mean Green 42-31. Israel Tucker was well-rested and carried the ball 37 times for 161 yards and two scores, while Luke Anthony threw for two TDS. Tech is 5-3 on the year.

The Saints will visit the Falcons on Sunday after beating the dirty birds 24-9 just two weeks ago after a great defensive performance. The Black and Gold have the highest rated defense in the NFL, but defensive end Cam Jordan says the ranking doesn’t matter if they don’t accomplish their goals.
Cut 16 (16) “…the game before.”
Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport did not practice yesterday because of a concussion.

The 25th ranked Ragin Cajuns will face the Appalachian State Mountaineers tonight in a game that ESPN is televising at 7:30. The Mountaineers will not repeat as Sun Belt champs this year, but they still own a seven and two record. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says they have another good running back in Camerun Peoples…
cut 19 (23) “….doing it this way”

Tomorrow night, it’s LSU hosting number one ranked Alabama. Coach Ed Orgeron has announced TJ Finley will start at quarterback.

In college basketball last night, Louisiana Tech had five players in double figures and beat ULM 78-62. Northwestern State Guard Trenton Massner had 21 points, but the Demons lost to T-C-U 74-68.