The Saints are 8-and-2 and have a comfortable three-game lead over Carolina for first place in the N-F-C South. Those two teams meet on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees says miscues are keeping the offense from performing at a higher level…
cut 19 (23), can be”
Kick-off on Sunday is at noon.

Last night, Nicholls defended its Southland regular-season title with a 28-27 win over Southeastern Louisiana in the River Bell Classic. Chase Fourcade connected with Dai’Jean Dixon on a 57-yard touchdown pass with 90 seconds left for a one-point lead and then the victory was secured when S-L-U Quarterback Cole Kelley fumbled at the goal line with 15 seconds left.

La Tech has unveiled plans for new baseball, softball and soccer stadiums. They were destroyed last April by a tornado. Athletics Director Tommy McClelland says there will be chair-back seats with berm seating at the new baseball stadium, some of the seating will be partially covered and once fans enter the concourse they’ll always see the field
Cut 30 (12) “…of the field.”

The Bulldogs football team is at UAB. Freshman Aaron Allen is set to start again at quarterback for the suspended J-Mar Smith. Allen threw for 159 yards last week in a loss to Marshall. Coach Skip Holtz on Allen’s performance…
cut 17 (16) “…competed”
Tech needs to win Saturday to stay in first place in Conference USA.

There’s a good chance Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore will miss his second straight game on Sunday. He did not practice again yesterday because of a hamstring injury. Andrus Peat, Deonte Harris and Zach Line also missed practice, but offensive linemen Larry Warford and Ryan Ramczyk were upgraded to full participants.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says right tackle Austin Deculus and safety Grant Delpit will likely not play Saturday against Arkansas. With Delpit out, freshman safety Maurice Hampton will make his first start. Senior Badara Traore will start at right tackle.

What a game last night in Hammond as Nicholls defeated Southeastern Louisiana 28-27 to earn an automatic berth into the F-C-S playoffs. Chase Fourcade’s 57-yard touchdown pass to Dai Jean Dixon with 90 seconds left was the winning score. S-L-U had a chance to win in the final seconds, but Lions quarterback Cole Kelley fumbled trying to get the ball in the end zone.

Louisiana Tech had an eight-game win streak snapped last week against Marshall, tomorrow they’ll visit U-A-B in a game that will go a long way in deciding who will win the Conference USA Western Division. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says he’s looking forward to his team bouncing back, but they’ll have to do it at a tough place to win for opponents…
cut 18 (16) “…can do”
Kick-off is at 2:30.

Also tomorrow, the Ragin Cajuns host Troy. Coastal Carolina is at ULM. The loser will fail to qualify for a bowl game. McNeese is at Lamar, while Tulane hosts U-C-F.

Last night the Pelicans won their third straight as they defeated Phoenix 124 to 121. Brandon Ingram had 28 points and eight rebounds.

The Saints will host Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers have lost two in a row to drop their record to 5-and-5. But running back Christian McCaffrey is playing like an MVP candidate with over 1,000 yards rushing and 59 catches. Coach Sean Payton says McCaffrey is no longer an offensive weapon who comes on the field for passing downs…
cut 16 (24) “….passing game’
Four Saints did not practice yesterday, Andrus Peat, Marshon Lattimore, Deonte Harris and Zach Line. Offensive linemen Larry Warford and Ryan Ramcyck were limited. Kick-off on Sunday in the Superdome is at noon.

There is a big college football game in Hammond tonight as Nicholls visits Southeastern Louisiana. The winner not only gets the River Bell Trophy, but at least a share of the Southland Conference Championship and an automatic berth into the F-C-S playoffs. S-L-U leads the Southland in total offense, while the Colonels lead the league in rushing offense, averaging 189 yards a game. Lions coach Frank Scelfo anticipates a physical game…
cut 19 (23) “…they’re going to play”
Kick-off is at 6 PM on C-S-T.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says linebacker Michael Divinity is back practicing with the team after leaving for personal reasons. But he’s not eligible to play until the national championship game.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron has taken the blame for the poor performance by the defense in the win over Ole Miss. But Tigers safety Jacoby Stevens says it’s up to the players to make plays…
cut 20 (19) “….that play”
Orgeron says even though linebacker Michael Divinity has returned to practice this week. He’s not eligible to play unless the Tigers reach the national championship game.

Louisiana Tech played poorly on Friday against Marshall and lost their first conference game. Starting quarterback J’Mar Smith, leading receiver Adrian Hardy and starting linebacker James Jackson were suspended for the game, but Coach Skip Holtz is not using that as an excuse for why they lost. Smith and Hardy will also miss Saturday’s game at UAB.

The eight and two Ragin Cajuns are receiving votes in this week’s coaches poll. Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson says getting some national recognition is making the alums proud…
Cut 17 (23) before you”
U-L Lafayette hosts Troy on Saturday.

Also in the Sun Belt, ULM hosts Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks need to win their final two games in order to be bowl eligible.

Tomorrow night in Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Nicholls. The winner of this game will win at least a share of the Southland Conference title and an automatic berth into the FCS Playoffs.

S-L-U men’s basketball team is at Tusla, while the Lady Lions hoops squad is at LSU for a 6:30 tip-off at the PMAC.

LSU is trying to correct the mistakes that led to Ole Miss rushing for over 400 yards in the Tigers win over the Rebels on Saturday. Safety Jacoby Stevens says he’s embarrassed…
cut 18 (15) do that”
On today’s SEC teleconference, Coach Ed Orgeron provided a timeline on when linebacker Michael Divinity will return to the field for the Tigers. Orgeron says he’s not eligible for the next two games or the SEC Title game. He says if there’s a national championship game, Divinity could possibly play in that game.

No big changes with the new college football playoff rankings. LSU is still number one followed by Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia and Alabama.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.