6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Safety Jacoby Stevens didn’t like how the Tigers defense was dominated on Saturday, giving up 402 rushing yards and 26 first downs in a 58-37 victory over Ole Miss. During the game, cameras caught Stevens getting on his teammates as the Rebels had their way. Stevens says their performance was unacceptable…
cut 19 (23) “….Saturday”
No major changes with the new college football playoff rankings that were released last night. LSU is still number one followed by Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia and Alabama.

The Buckeyes will be tested this Saturday as they host eighth-ranked Penn State at 11 AM.

After playing the last two games on the road, the Ragin Cajuns return home Saturday to host Troy. The Trojans rank 10th in the F-B-S in scoring, averaging 39 points a game. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says Troy is explosive on offense…
cut 16 (24) “…making improvement”
The eight and two Ragin Cajuns are receiving votes in this week’s coaches poll.

In college basketball last night, LSU defeated the University of Maryland Baltimore County 77-50 as Charles Manning had 16 points off the bench.

Rhode Island defeated Nicholls 70-65, Louisiana Tech trounced Mississippi Valley 76-43 and Northwestern State knocked off Louisiana College 67-60.

The Pelicans have a two-game winning streak, they beat Portland 115 to 104 last night.

4:45 LRN Sportscast November 19

Instead of being very upset about LSU’s performance on defense in Saturday’s win over Ole Miss, Coach Ed Orgeron has maintained a positive tone. Orgeron says he still believes in his guys…
cut 18 (25) “..season strong”
LSU linebacker Michael Divinity has rejoined the team, but Orgeron said this morning on a Baton Rouge radio station that Divinity can only practice with the team and has not been cleared to play in a game. Divinity left the team two weeks ago for what’s been labeled as personal reasons.

New college football playoff rankings come out tonight, will LSU remain ranked number one ahead of Ohio State and Clemson.

Louisiana Tech has set a press conference for 11:30 Thursday. That’s when they’ll announce new plans for the complete rebuild of the University’s baseball, softball and soccer complexes. Those facilities were destroyed by an EF 3 tornado that hit Ruston last April.

In the latest F-C-S Coaches poll, Southeastern Louisiana is ranked 22nd and Nicholls is 23rd. The two teams will meet Thursday night in Hammond, the winner will earn at least a share of the Southland Conference title and an automatic bid to the F-C-S playoffs.

In high school football playoffs, rain is in the forecast on Friday night and some games are moving to Thursday. West Monroe will host Captain Shreve on Thursday, instead of Friday and the Union Parish-Caldwell Parish gave has been moved to Thursday too. Oberlin versus Gueydan has also moved to Thursday as well.

In basketball tonight, LSU hosts Maryland-Baltimore County, while the Pelicans host the Trail Blazers.

11:40 LRN Sportscast November 19

An LSU win on Saturday against Arkansas and the Tigers will clinch an SEC West title and punch their ticket into the SEC Championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he hasn’t really thought about postseason play yet
Cut 16 (13) …beat Arkansas.
The oddsmakers are not expecting much of a game on Saturday. LSU is a 44.5 point favorite.

The Tigers are spending this week, working on a defense that gave up 402 yards rushing in the Ole Miss win. Linebacker Michael Divinity who left for personal reasons two weeks ago, is back practicing with the team, but Coach Ed Orgeron said today on a Baton Rouge morning show Divinity can practice with the team, but can’t play.

The Pelicans host Portland tonight, we’ll see if newly signed Carmelo Anthony plays for the Trail Blazers.

The Saints host Carolina on Sunday. The Black and Gold is 8-2, while the Panthers are 5-and-5 in second place, but the Panthers do have one of the best players in the league. Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage, rushing yards and touchdowns. Kick-off Sunday is at noon.

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech are both receiving votes in the coaches poll. In the F-C-S Coaches poll, Southeastern Louisiana is ranked 22nd and Nicholls State is ranked 23rd. The Lions and Colonels meet Thursday night in Hammond.

Nicholls Senior defensive lineman Sully Laiche (Lesh) has been named the Southland Defensive Player of the Week. Laiche had two sacks and three tackles for a loss in the Colonels win over McNeese.

Northwestern State Quarterback Shelton Eppler is the Southland Offensive Player of the Week. The Texas native threw for over 300 yards for the fifth time this season and he ran it in from five yards out for the winning score.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Number one ranked LSU will spend this week working on improving a defense that allowed 402 yards rushing in a victory over a four-win Ole Miss team. Coach Ed Orgeron says they had guys out of position on some of those long runs, so getting guys in the right position is critical…
cut 17 (15) “…me first”
Orgeron says it’s possible that safety Grant Delpit will not play this Saturday, because of a sore ankle. And linebacker Michael Divinity has returned to practice. He left the team two weeks ago because of personal reasons. It’s unclear if he’ll suit up for the Arkansas game.

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech are both receiving votes in the coaches poll. In the F-C-S Coaches poll, Southeastern Louisiana is ranked 22nd and Nicholls State is ranked 23rd. The Lions and Colonels meet Thursday night in Hammond.

The Saints can pretty much lock up the N-F-C South this Sunday with a win over Carolina. New Orleans is 8-2, while the Panthers are 5-and-5 in second place. Carolina is coming off a 29-to-3 loss to Atlanta and new Panthers owner David Tepper says he will not stand for long-term mediocrity. The Panthers do have one of the best players in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage, rushing yards and touchdowns. Kick-off Sunday in the Dome is at noon.

LSU basketball has signed a five-star prospect out of Virginia. Coach Will Wade calls six-foot-four shooting guard Cam Thomas the best scorer in high school basketball and he’ll be a good replacement for Skylar Mays, who graduates after this season.

The Tigers are in action tonight as they host Maryland-Baltimore County. LSU is trying to cut down on turnovers, they’ve had 67 in the first three games.

Also tonight, Nicholls is at Rhode Island, Louisiana Tech hosts Mississippi Valley, Louisiana College visits Northwestern State. The Pelicans host Portland.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s tell the truth Monday for the top ranked Fighting Tigers and the truth kind of hurts today after giving up 402 yards rushing in the wild victory over Ole Miss. But Coach Ed Orgeron is maintaining a positive attitude…
cut 29 (14) “…we did”
Orgeron says they’ll work on getting players in better position to prevent the long runs the Rebels had on Saturday.

Nicholls heads into Thursday’s regular-season finale against Southeastern Louisiana in a three-way tie for first place in the Southland. Senior Quarterback Chase Fourcade threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns to beat McNeese on Saturday…
cut 20 (13) “…made plays”
Southeastern and Central Arkansas are the other two teams in that three-way tie for first place.

The Saints produced the bounce-back performance they were looking for as they defeated Tampa Bay 34-17 to improve their record to 8-2. New Orleans started fast and built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, which pleased Coach Sean Payton, but he says there are areas of improvement.
cut 30 (12) “….last week”
Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Thomas had eight catches for 114 yards and the defense had four interceptions and two sacks.

Only nine players suited up for the Pelicans last night but they still defeated Golden State 108-100.

And LSU basketball has announced the signing of five-star recruit Cameron Thomas from Chesapeake, Virginia. The six-foot-four guard plays for Oak Hill Academy in Virginia and so far this season he’s averaging 33 points a game. Coach Will Wade calls Thomas the best scorer in the country.

6:45 LRN Sportscast November 18

The Saints produced the bounce-back performance they were looking for as they defeated Tampa Bay 34-17 to improve their record to 8-2. New Orleans started fast and built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, which pleased Coach Sean Payton, but he says there are areas of improvement.
cut 14 (12) “….last week”
Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Thomas had eight catches for 114 yards and the defense had four interceptions and two sacks.

The Pelicans knocked down 18 three-pointers last night to beat Golden State 108-to-100. 35-year-old guard J-J Redick had a team-high 26 points as hit six three-pointers. The Pels are 4-and-8 and they’ll host Portland tomorrow night.

LSU is 10-and-0 but Saturday’s 58-37 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels was a disappointing affair for the Tigers defense that gave up 614 total yards, the most given up by an LSU defense since 2001. Coach Ed Orgeron says the most important thing is that they won the game…
cut 18 (16) “…way it is”
LSU returns home this Saturday night to host Arkansas. The Razorbacks are two and eight and averaging just 353 yards a game.

The Ragin Cajuns also return home this Saturday after a two-game road trip as U-L Lafayette will host Troy. The Cajuns beat South Alabama 37-27 on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech has a big game this Saturday at U-A-B after losing to Marshall 31-10 on Friday.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Superdome will begin to undergo a major facelift in January after the Superdome Commission approved a contract that puts the wheels in motion for a 450-million-dollar renovation plan. Commission Spokesperson Mike Hoss says the -the iconic facility will see upgrades that will result in the 44-year-old building being compared favorably with new facilities like AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Cut 14 (11) “the country”
The renovation plan calls for the removal of the 80-thousand square foot ramp system and replaced with escalators. New atriums will be built and workers will also put in end zone field boxes.

Tonight is the first round of the high school football playoffs. Non-select schools will play their championship games in the Dome, while on the select-side, we’ll have to wait until after the semis before a site is selected for their title games.

Louisiana Tech takes its perfect Conference USA record on the road tonight to face the Marshall Thundering Herd. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says this is not an easy assignment for his team…
Cut 17 (25) the game”
And the assignment has become even more difficult for the Bulldogs as they will be without starting quarterback J’Mar Smith, leading receiver Adrian Hardy and senior linebacker James Jackson. La Tech has announced the trio has been suspended due to an athletic department violation. Jackson will only miss tonight’s game, while Smith and Hardy will miss the next two. Redshirt freshman Aaron Allen is expected to start at Q-B.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice again yesterday because of a hamstring injury. Linebacker Demario Davis is also suffering from a hamstring injury and he was limited at practice. New Orleans will face a Tampa Bay offense on Sunday that’s ranked seventh in the NFL. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says the Bucs feed on big plays…
cut 16 (13) “….explosive plays”
The Saints are at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The Superdome is set to undergo a massive 450-million dollar renovation starting in January. Superdome Commission spokesperson Mike Hoss says as part of the first phase of the renovation includes the removal of the infamous ramps…
cut 13 (08) “…the stage”

Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday broke out of his scoring slump by scoring a season-high 36 points last night as New Orleans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 132 to 127. The Pels needed a big night from Holiday, because Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball were all out with injuries. The Clippers did not play Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverly.

In college hoops last night, Mississippi State defeated ULM 62-45.

In college football tonight, Louisiana Tech is at Marshall at 6 PM. Top-ranked LSU visits Ole Miss tomorrow. After giving up 41 points last week, LSU defensive end Rashard Lawrence looks forward to a more dominant effort in Oxford…
cut 20 (11) “… 60-minute game”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

And tonight is the first round of the high school football playoffs.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is a three-touchdown favorite to beat Ole Miss on Saturday in Oxford. The Rebels rank last in the SEC in pass defense, but Quarterback Joe Burrow doesn’t see Ole Miss as a poor team on “D”….
cut 18 (18) “…of practice”
The Rebels have lost six games this season, but only one of those losses was by eleven points or more.

The Pelicans have played 10 games and so far they are two and eight. They will try to get a win tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, who lost last night in Houston. The Pels starting poing guard Lonzo Ball is expected to miss his third straight start with a groin injury, while the team’s leading scorer Brandon Ingram is a game time decision because of knee soreness.

The Saints have a chance to sweep the season series against the Bucs when they meet their NFC South Rivals in Tampa Bay on Sunday. New Orleans beat the Bucs on October sixth 31 to 24. Tampa Bay is 3-and-6 and they boast the best run defense in the NFL. On the other side of the ball, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown 17 touchdown passes, but he’s also been intercepted 14 times. Coach Sean Payton on Winston…
cut 30 (25) “…impact on”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are looking for a bounce-back performance this Sunday against Tampa Bay after playing a poor game last Sunday in a loss to Atlanta…
cut 30 (14) “…mind set”
That’s Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, who will not have guard Andrus Peat protecting him for the next six weeks. Peat broke his arm in last week’s loss to Atlanta and reportedly underwent surgery yesterday.

The Pelicans are also dealing with their own injury issues. Lonzo Ball will miss his third straight game tonight with a right adductor strain. Josh Hart is also out with knee and ankle sprains. The Pels leading scorer Brandon Ingram is a game-time decision as New Orleans hosts the Clippers.

Last night in college hoops, LSU turned it over 26 times lost to V-C-U 84-82.

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is one of four finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in college football. Edwards-Helaire accounted for four touchdowns against Alabama. Quarterback Joe Burrow says Edwards-Helaire is so important to their offense…
Cut 17 (21) run it in”
And Burrow is a semifinalist for the Davey O’ Brien Award, which goes to the nation’s top quarterback.

Grambling State quarterback Geremy Hickbottom has been suspended for the first half of Saturday’s game at Mississippi Valley State. Hickbottom was ejected in the third quarter in last weekend’s win over Alcorn State for throwing a punch after he threw an interception. Redshirt senior quarterback Charles Wright will get the start this Saturday for Grambling, who has won five in a row.