Friday night lights are coming back on and prep football fans are rejoicing as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces an eight-game regular season will kick-off October 1st through the third. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine is confident they can pull the season off, but…
cut 14 (10) “….cases”
The prep classic will be held in the Superdome December 26th to the 28th.

No fans in the Dome for Sunday’s Saints season opener against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans was not at practice yesterday because of a hamstring injury and he’ll be a game-time decision on Sunday. For the Saints, rookie offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz, and defensive end Marcus Davenport did not practice yesterday.

The NFL season kicks off tonight with the Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

Louisiana Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz blames Hurricane Laura for the outbreak in coronavirus cases with his football team. The Bulldogs game at Baylor on Saturday has been postponed. Holtz says it is a disappointing development since they were nearly COVID-free before the storm.
Cut 10 (12) “…wasn’t large enough.”
No make up date has been announced for the game against Baylor, while Holtz is hopeful they will be able 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.

The high school football season will kick-off on October 1st and schools will play an eight-game regular season with the state championship games taking place December 26th to the 28th in the Superdome. All nine championship games will be in the Dome this season. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says he trusts the state’s coaches and administrators and believes football can be safely played
Cut 15 (10) “…against you.”
Bonine says it’s still to be determined how many fans will be at games. He’s hopeful 50-percent occupancy, but those talks with state officials continue.

Tiger Stadium will be limited to 25-percent capacity when the national champs kickoff the 2020 season by hosting Mississippi State on September 26th. Athletics Director Scott Woodward says fans will enter the stadium in phases…
cut 28 (09) “….go awry here”
The LSU plan also calls for no tailgating and season ticket holders and students will be the ones offered a chance to buy tickets.

No football game for Louisiana Tech on Saturday at Baylor because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Bulldogs team. Coach Skip Holtz says they’ve had 36 players test positive since Hurricane Laura. Holtz says if the infected players do not have any complications that show up on an EKG, that up to 30 of the 36 players could return in time to play their next scheduled game on September 19th against Southern Miss.
Cut 12 (12) “…now and then.”
No makeup date has been set for the matchup with Baylor.

No fans in the Dome for Sunday’s Saints game against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans was not at practice yesterday because of a soft tissue injury and he’ll be a game-time decision on Sunday. For the Saints, rookie offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz, and defensive end Marcus Davenport did not practice yesterday.

Louisiana Tech Football Coach Skip Holtz confirmed today that his team had 36 players test positive for the coronavirus since Hurricane Laura roared through Ruston. Holtz says because of the number of positive tests they are not able play Baylor on Saturday in a game that was set to be on Fox Television…
cut 30 (21) “…in a game”
Holtz is hopeful they can play on September 19th against Conference USA foe Southern Miss. The coach says power outages caused by Laura led to players finding other places to sleep which has led to the outbreak in cases.

The LHSAA executive committee votes that football teams can begin contact practices tomorrow and the start of the season has been moved up to October 1st through the third.

LSU officially announced that Tiger Stadium will be limited to 25-percent capacity when the national champs kickoff the 2020 season by hosting Mississippi State on September 26th. Athletics Director Scott Woodward says fans will enter the stadium in phases…
cut 8 (09) “….go awry here”
The LSU plan also calls for no tailgating and season ticket holders and students will be the ones offered a chance to buy tickets.

The 2020 LSU football Tigers do not appear to be as talented as last year’s national championship team as they’ve lost 33 players from that historic squad. But Coach Ed Orgeron says he would not underestimate this team…
cut 18 (23) “…be fun”

Lousiana Tech’s season opener at Baylor on Saturday has been postponed as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Bulldog football team. There are media reports that say 38 players on the Tech football team tested positive for the coronavirus. Athletics Director Tommy McClelland says the coronavirus outbreak is the result of players staying with others, because of the power outages from Hurricane Laura. The two schools will look to re-schedule the game, meanwhile, the Bulldogs are hoping they can play next week at Southern Miss.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive committee has approved a motion that allows full contact football drills to take place in Phase two of the state’s COVID-19 reopening. But New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has said no contact sports are allowed in her city during Phase 2, so unclear if football can be played in the Crescent City.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron announces that defensive end Ray Parker has been suspended indefinitely from the football team for a violation of team rules. Parker was a redshirt freshman last season after a standout prep career at Ruston High School.

Former Nicholls cornerback Darren Evans has joined the LSU football team as a graduate transfer. Evans was a two and a half year starter for the Colonels and a second-team All-Southland Conference selection in 2018. Evans prepped at Glen Oaks High School in Baton Rouge.

How are the Tigers practicing tackling while there’s a pandemic? Coach Ed Orgeron says they are holding full-speed practices…
cut 17 (25) “….all of em”
Orgeron says they plan to hold a scrimmage on Friday.

Louisiana Tech’s season opener on Saturday versus Baylor has been postponed and the hope is to make up the game later in the season. A reported 38 players on the Tech football team have tested positive for the coronavirus. Athletics Director Tommy McClelland says power outages from Hurricane Laura forced many of their student-athletes to find other places to stay and that has produced a COVID outbreak within the team. McClelland says the days leading up to this outbreak, the football team had a stretch of three weeks with only one positive case. The Bulldogs Conference USA opener on September 19th at Southern Miss is scheduled to be played.

ULM Football Coach Matt Viator says sophomore Colby Suits will start at quarterback versus Army on Saturday, while junior Jeremy Hunt will also see playing time.

The LHSAA executive committee meets today, where they are expected to announce the official start of the high school football season on October 8th.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says the Tigers spent the holiday weekend evaluating the first scrimmage of preseason camp. Orgeron says several first-time starters looked good including their freshman tight end…
Cut 16 (19) “…very well”
The Tigers are 17 days away from their season opener at home against Mississippi State and we still have no official word on how many fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium.

Yesterday, Governor Edwards indicated Tiger Stadium will likely be limited to 25 percent capacity. Edwards says even if they did announce now, it could always change before, or during the season.
Cut 27 (09) “…and then”

The Saints have conducted a full go scrimmage today as they are eleven days away from the season opener against Tampa Bay. Coach Sean Payton says he likes what he’s seen so far from backup quarterback Jameis Winston…

Cut 17  (17) “…smart player” 

The Buccanneers are reportedly signing running back Leonard Fournette, who was cut by Jacksonville earlier this week.

The Associated Press the NCAA will furlough its entire staff, that’s about 600 employees, for three to eight weeks, starting on September 21st The furloughs will not affect senior executives.

The F-B-S college football season begins tonight with Southern Miss hosting South Alabama.

In a move that even surprised ULM head football coach Matt Viator, Warhawks defensive coordinator Mike Collins has decided to step down. Collins says he can’t provide his players with what they need in what has been an emotional and physically-draining year for him. Linebackers coach and former Northwestern State head coach Scott Stoker has been promoted to defensive coordinator.

The Daily Advertiser’s Tim Buckley reports that U-L Lafayette wide receiver Brian Smith broke his hip and he’s the fourth Cajuns receiver to suffer a major injury this offseason.

Baseball America ranks LSU’s recruiting class as the second-best in the country behind Miami. It’s the Tigers third top-five finish in the past five years.

The House Education Committee meets tomorrow and they’ll discuss high school football and the start of other fall prep seasons. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine is scheduled to be there.

The Saints will hold their second practice in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome today. Starting guard Andrus Peat looks thinner this season as the veteran says he’s lost 10 to 15 pounds. Peat says the weight loss should lead to better play on the field…
cut 18 (13) “….be good”
A week from Sunday is the regular-season opener as the Saints will host Tampa Bay. The Buccanneers are reportedly signing running back Leonard Fournette, who was cut by Jacksonville earlier this week.

The Associated Press the NCAA will furlough its entire staff, that’s about 600 employees, for three to eight weeks, starting on September 21st The furloughs will not affect senior executives.

The F-B-S college football season begins tonight with Southern Miss hosting South Alabama.

In a move that even surprised ULM head football coach Matt Viator, Warhawks defensive coordinator Mike Collins has decided to step down. Collins says he can’t provide his players with what they need in what has been an emotional and physically-draining year for him. Linebackers coach and former Northwestern State head coach Scott Stoker has been promoted to defensive coordinator.

The Daily Advertiser’s Tim Buckley reports that U-L Lafayette wide receiver Brian Smith broke his hip and he’s the fourth Cajuns receiver to suffer a major injury this offseason.

Baseball America ranks LSU’s recruiting class as the second-best in the country behind Miami. It’s the Tigers third top-five finish in the past five years.

The House Education Committee meets tomorrow and they’ll discuss high school football and the start of other fall prep seasons. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine is scheduled to be there.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara returned to practice yesterday as contract talks between his agent and the team continue. Coach Sean Payton says he expects Kamara will be with the team for the season opener, despite reports New Orleans are willing to trade Kamara for a first-round pick.

The Saints will have a full go scrimmage today as they are eleven days away from the season opener against Tampa Bay. Coach Sean Payton says with no preseason games, they need to work on getting players on and off the field…
cut 16 (20) “…eliminated”
And the Saints will have to prepare for Leonard Fournette. The former LSU star is signing with Tampa Bay after he was released by Jacksonville.

ULM’s Mike Collins admits the timing is not great, but he’s decided to step down as the Warhawks defensive coordinator. ULM is set to play its first game on September 12th against Army. But Collins says it’s been an emotional and physically-draining year for him and he just can’t provide his players with what they need. Collins is a former head coach at ULM and he’s served as an assistant on head coach Matt Viator’s staff since 2016.

Viator quickly found Collins’ replacement as he promoted linebackers coach and former Northwestern State head coach Scott Stoker to defensive coordinator.

The Daily Advertiser’s Tim Buckley reports that U-L Lafayette wide receiver Brian Smith broke his hip and he’s the fourth Cajuns receiver to suffer a major injury this offseason.

The House Education Committee will meet at the State Capitol tomorrow to discuss the prospects of playing high school football and other prep sports this fall. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine will be there as well.

A Monroe Senator calls on high school football families to hold their local superintendent’s feet to the fire and support firm start dates for contact practices and the season. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara returned to practice today after missing several workouts because he’s reportedly seeking a new contract. Owner Gayle Benson was also at practice today. It was reported last week that she tested positive for the coronavirus.

Is LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin taking a gamble by opting out and not playing this season? Shelvin could be a first-round pick next year if he has a solid season in 2020. But since the Lafayette native is not playing, NFL scouts will have a lot of questions about him. Coach Ed Orgeron says Shelvin could have been a dominant player for the Tigers this season…
cut 18 (25) “….us proud”
And Orgeron admits there are one or two more players who may also opt-out. LSU has lost 33 players from last year’s national championship team and only has about 70 scholarship players.

The Saints say they’ve received state approval to have fans at their second home game of the season, a Sunday night match-up against Green Bay on September 27th. Governor Edwards says he feels comfortable with the team’s plans on fans entering the stadium and remaining socially distant during the games…
cut 19 (17) “…do that”
City officials have yet to approve the Saints plan. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says her administration would make a decision at the proper time.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara will reportedly show up at practice today after missing several days as he’s seeking a new contract. There were some reports that the team is interested in trading Kamara for a first-round pick, but the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports cooler heads have prevailed.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says he respects the decision made by receiver Ja’Marr Chase and defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin to opt-out of the 2020 season. During a zoom press conference, Coach O said he doesn’t want anyone to opt-out, but everyone’s situation is different. Orgeron told the rest of the team, next man, up
Cut 16 (19) “…deal with it.”
Orgeron says there could be one or two more players who will opt-out.

Game times have been announced for the first few games of the season. LSU will kick-off the season at 2:30 on September 26th inside Tiger Stadium against Mississippi State. The season begins on September 12th for La Tech and U-L Lafayette and both teams have 11 AM kick-offs as Tech is at Baylor, while the Cajuns visit Iowa State.