LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron said during a zoom press conference with reporters that most of the players on his team have tested positive for the coronavirus. Orgeron did not give an exact number. but he says the players who have been infected will be able to play during the season
Cut 12 (10) “…for games”
Orgeron says there are three or four players who currently have the coronavirus and they are not practicing. Coach O also confirmed that defensive linemen Neil Farrell is returning to the team after announcing in August he would opt out over coronavirus concerns. And wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase officially announced today he’s entering the 2021 NFL draft.

Louisiana Tech will not make up its postponed game against Baylor, but the Bulldogs will play BYU on October 2nd in Provo.

The Saints didn’t have a stellar day on offense in their season-opening win over Tampa Bay, but Coach Sean Payton is pleased with how his defense played against the Buccaneers’ new look offense. Payton says there was some mystery on what they would try to do with Tom Brady leading their offense…
Cut 16 (25) “…noticeable”
The Saints-Bucs game pulled huge TV ratings. Fox says it was their highest-rated week one matchup in four years and it is the most-watched telecast of any kind since last February’s Super Bowl. New Orleans next game will be on Monday night when they visit the Las Vegas Raiders.

There’s good news for LSU’s defensive line as potential starter Neil Farrell has decided to play this season after originally deciding not to play because of COVID-19 concerns. The senior led the D-Line in tackles last season with 46. He also had seven tackles for a loss and three sacks.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, LSU’s offense broke all kinds of records on its way to a perfect 15-0 record last season. Wide receiver Terrace Marshall doesn’t see why they can’t be just as productive even though Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are not with the Purple and Gold in 2020…
cut 20 (19) “ last year”

The battle between Tom Brady and Drew Brees did not live up to its hype in Sunday’s season-opening win for the Saints. Brady was intercepted twice, while Brees threw for 160 yards, his lowest total ever in a full game played at the Superdome. New Orleans could not get its running game going either, averaging just 2.4 yards a rush. Latavius Murray led the team with 15 carries on 48 yards. Murray knows they can play better on offense…
cut 18 (14) “….this point”
The Saints next game is Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Louisiana Tech has added BYU to its football schedule. The Bulldogs will play the Cougars on Friday, October second in Provo.

Tulane Head Football Coach Will Fritz has signed a contract extension that keeps him on the Green Wave sidelines through 2026. The 60-year-old Fritz has led the Greenies to back-to-back bowl victories.

The NFL Network reports Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas has a high ankle sprain, but Thomas hopes to play on Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Thomas was seen limping off the field in the fourth quarter after his ankle got rolled up on. Coach Sean Payton was asked if Thomas could have returned if needed
Cut 17 (14) “…the injuries”
Tampa Bay did a good job on Thomas as he was held to three catches on 17 yards.

Tulane Head Football Coach Will Fritz has signed a contract extension that keeps him on the Green Wave sidelines through 2026. The 60-year-old Fritz has led the Greenies to back-to-back bowl victories.

Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland is leaving after seven years for a job at Vanderbilt.

And La Tech has added BYU to its football schedule. The Bulldogs will play the Cougars on October second in Provo.

Defensive lineman Neil Farrell is reportedly returning to LSU after announcing in early August that he’s opting out of the 2020 season because of coronavirus concerns. At the time, Farrell said the virus hit his family hard and his grandmother was in the hospital. Last Thursday, Farrell tweeted that his grandmother is getting better every day and that he misses football. If Farrell returns, he’ll have a chance to start on the D-Line.

With Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase now gone from last year’s national championship team, Terrace Marshall becomes the LSU Tigers top receiver. The junior from Bossier City says his mindset hasn’t changed even with Chase’s recent decision to opt out of the 2020 season…
cut 19 (15) “…I’m prepared”

The Saints defeated Tom Brady and the Buccaneers 34 to 23 yesterday to kick-off an unusual 2020 season. Brady threw two interceptions, New Orleans cornerback Janoris Jenkins returned one 36 yards for a touchdown. Jenkins knew that pass play was coming…
cut 20 (15) “….double out”
The offense looked like they could have used a couple of preseason games. The Black and Gold averaged just two yards a rush and quarterback Drew Brees threw for just 160 yards. Star receiver Michael Thomas only had three catches for 17 yards and a report came out today that says Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain but has not been ruled out for next Monday’s game in Las Vegas against the Raiders. Thomas was seen limping off the field yesterday in the fourth quarter.

For the first time in modern history the Ragin Cajuns are ranked in the A-P Top 25 as they are ranked 19th after upsetting Iowa State 31 to 14 on the road. Saturday’s win over the Cyclones was the Cajuns second-ever win over a top-25 team and first road win over a ranked opponent. Coach Billy Napier says based on the number of resources the university has put into the program, they expect to be successful
Cut 17 (24) “…five operation”

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland is leaving after seven years for a job within the Vanderbilt athletic department. And The Bulldogs have added BYU to their schedule. They’ll play the Cougars in Provo, Utah on Friday October 2nd.

The Saints took down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday in a 34-23 season-opening win in front of a fanless Superdome on Sunday. If Who Dat nation was present, they would have been on their feet and cheering the performance of running back Alvin Kamara, who had two touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton says it’s nice to see a healthy Kamara…
cut 18 (15) “….our team”
On Saturday, news broke that Kamara signed a five-year contract extension worth 75 million dollars. Linebacker DeMario Davis has also reportedly agreed to a contract extension, three-years 27 million dollars.

New Orleans next game is a week from tonight when they visit the Raiders, who defeated Teddy Bridgewater and the Carolina Panthers 34-30. Joe Burrow lost his NFL debut as the Chargers beat the Bengals 16-13.

For the first time since 1943, the Ragin Cajuns are ranked in the AP Top 25. Louisiana Football caught the attention of national writers with a 31-14 victory over Iowa State, who was ranked 23rd in the country. The Cajuns are now ranked 19th in the media poll, 21st in the coaches poll. Q-B Levi Lewis says it feels good to see their hard work paying off…
Cut 16 (10) “…pay off”
Two Cajun players have earned Sun Belt Player of the Week honors, linebacker Ferrod Gardner and return man Chris Smith. Gardner had nine tackles and a sack, while Smith had a 95-yard kickoff return for a score.

Tommy McClelland is leaving as the athletic director at Louisiana Tech to become the new Deputy A-D for External Affairs and Revenue Generation for Vanderbilt. McClelland has served as the Bulldogs A-D for seven years and oversaw 80-million dollars in new construction and improvements.

On Saturday, Saints running back Alvin Kamara agreed to a five-year, 75-million dollar contract extension. On Sunday, Kamara scored two touchdowns as the Saints defeated the Buccaneers 34 to 23 in a season-opening win. Both of Kamara’s touchdowns came in the second quarter and A-K says he’s glad he got the deal done…
cut 19 (15) “…it’s great”
Even though the Saints put up 34 points. It wasn’t a great performance by the offense. Drew Brees threw for just 160 yards and the Black and Gold averaged just two yards a rush. Coach Sean Payton was upset with how he called the game, describing it as awful. New Orleans will now get ready for a Monday night matchup with the Raiders in Vegas. The Silver and Black beat Carolina yesterday.

For the first time since 1943, the Ragin Cajuns are ranked in the AP Top 25. Louisiana Football caught the attention of national writers with a 31-14 victory over Iowa State, who was ranked 23rd in the country. The Cajuns are now ranked 19th in the media poll, 21st in the coaches poll. Q-B Levi Lewis says it feels good to see their hard work paying off…
Cut 16 (10) “…pay off”
In 1943 when the Cajuns were last ranked in the A-P poll, they were known as Southwestern Louisiana Institute.

ULM struggled early and never recovered in a 37-7 loss to Army. And Tulane rallied to beat South Alabama 27-24.

This Saturday, the 19th ranked Cajuns are at Georgia State. ULM will host Texas State. La Tech is scheduled to visit Southern Miss and Tulane will host Navy. The Midshipmen were embarrassed in a season-opening loss to BYU.

The Saints will kick off the 2020 season by hosting Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon. There will be no fans in the Dome but linebacker Alex Anzalone says they’ll be ready
cut 20 (20) “ others”
And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has announced there will be no fans at the Saints game on September 27th versus Green Bay as well…
cut 16 (13) “….of New Orleans’
Cantrell says tailgating on city property is also prohibited.

Three Louisiana college football teams kick off their seasons on Saturday. For the first time ever, ULM will battle against one of the United States service academies when they visit Army in West Point at 12:30 central time. The Black Knights blanked Middle Tennessee 42 to nothing last week. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says Army’s triple-option run-oriented offense is tough to stop
Cut 16 (21) “…offensively”
The other two games involving Louisiana teams on Saturday are the Ragin Cajuns at 23rd ranked Iowa State. U-L Lafayette is looking for its first road win over a Top 25 team. Tulane is visiting South Alabama in Mobile.

It will be a very unique season opener for the Saints when they host Tampa Bay on Sunday. There will be no fans allowed inside the Dome and Mayor LaToya Cantrell said today that there will be no tailgating on city property and that includes neutral grounds and under the interstate. The mayor also says fans will not be allowed to attend the team’s second home game on September 27th against Green Bay.

Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport and offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz did not practice for a second straight day yesterday because of injuries. Tampa Bay star wide receiver Mike Evans remains a game-time decision with a hamstring injury.

What a debut for former LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire last night as he helped the Chiefs defeat the Houston Texans 34 to 20 as Kansas City began its defense of its Super Bowl Championship. Edwards-Helaire rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Louisiana Tech standout L’Jarius Sneed had an interception in his NFL debut.
The Ragin Cajuns are at 23rd ranked Iowa State for their first-ever visit to Ames. Kick-off is at 11 AM. U-L Lafayette is coming off its best season in program history as they were 11-3 and return eight starters on offense. Third-year head coach Billy Napier says the make-up of this year’s team is different to go along with the preparation for the season
Cut 17 (21) “…of problems”

ULM and Tulane will also kick-off their seasons tomorrow. The Warhawks are at Army where Colby Suits is set to make his first career start at quarterback. Tulane is at South Alabama. The Jaguars were two and ten last season, but they won their season opener over Southern Miss last week.

What an NFL debut for former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire as he helped the Super Bowl champion Chiefs kick-off the 2020 season with a 34 to 20 win over the Houston Texans. Edwards-Helaire rushed for 138 yards on 25 carries and a T-D. Also former La Tech standout L’Jarius Sneed had an interception and two passes defended in another impressive rookie debut.

The Saints will begin another NFL season on Sunday in which they enter the year with one of the more talented rosters in the league. Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s got nothing to lose in his 20th season in the NFL…
cut 19 (25) “…ultimate prize”
Kick-off Sunday against the Buccaneers is at 3:25.

High School football teams are gearing up for an October 1st start to the season, but schools in New Orleans are not allowed to move forward with contact practices. Mayor LaToya Cantrell has said contact sports are not allowed as the Crescent City plans to remain in Phase 2 while the rest of the state moves to Phase 3.

But the Tulane Green Wave have been practicing and they’ll kick-off the season on Saturday night in Mobile against South Alabama in the first game ever at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The Jaguars opened the season with a 32-21 road win over Southern Miss. Green Wave coach Willie Fritz says South Al’s receivers looked impressive
Cut 18 (24) “…extremely well
Kick-off is at 6:30 tomorrow.

The LHSAA announces the high school football season will kick off October 1st and contact practices resume today. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

But not every high school football program can move forward. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the city is staying in phase two and contact sports are not allowed in phase two.

The Saints continue to get ready for their season opener on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Defensive end Marcus Davenport and offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz were not at practice.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz confirms 36 players have tested positive for the coronavirus since Hurricane Laura. Holtz says players were trying to find suitable accommodations following the storm and that lead to many of them being infected by the virus.
cut 30 (12) “…the building”
Tech’s game versus Baylor on Saturday has been postponed.They hope to play a week from Saturday at Southern Miss.

LSU announces that redshirt freshman defensive end Ray Parker of Ruston has been suspended for violating team rules. LSU police arrested Parker for battery of a dating partner and simple criminal damage to property.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says starting defensive lineman Zi’Yon Hill is questionable for Saturday’s game at 25th ranked Iowa State. Napier says Hill is suffering from an upper-body injury.