The Saints and Carolina Panthers meet tonight on Monday night football. Carolina ranks 22nd in the NFL in pass defense , but New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees knows the Panthers are still loaded with talent, especially at linebacker….
cut 14 (10) “…as well”
And former LSU Tiger Dante Jackson has also had a big season for Carolina. The rookie has four interceptions, one forced fumble and 53 tackles.

The Saints are just two wins away from securing the top seed in the NFC playoffs. New Orleans received help last night when the Eagles upset the Rams in Los Angeles.

Elsewhere in the NFL, the Cowboys are no longer the hottest team in the N-F-C. The Colts blanked Dallas 23 to 0 to end the Cowboys five-game winning streak. Atlanta snapped its five-game losing streak with a 40-14 victory over Arizona.

The Pelicans were hoping to take a two-game winning streak on the road, but New Orleans lost to Miami 102-96 last night. The Pels shot just 41-percent from the field and they were out rebounded 57-to-38. New Orleans will now begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Tulane finished its football season with a 7-and-6 record after starting the year losing five of their first seven. The Green Wave beat UL-Lafayette 41-24 in the Autonation Cure Bowl. Darius Bradwell was the game’s MVP with a career-high 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Cajuns ended the year with a seven and seven record.

Louisiana Tech arrives in Hawaii later today for it’s bowl game against Hawaii on Saturday night. The Bulldogs are seven and five and Coach Skip Holtz told the News-Star he’s looking for more out of quarterback J’Mar Smith, who has thrown for fewer yards and touchdowns this season, while his interceptions are up from five in 2017 to nine this season.

Tonight’s Monday night match-up between the Saints and Panthers features two of the best second-year running backs in the NFL. New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara and Carolina’s Christian McCaffery, who has rushed for 926 yards and has 701 receiving yards. Kamara says he has a lot of respect for the former Stanford star…
cut 15 (12) “…great year”
The Saints defense will have to make sure Carolina quarterback Cam Newton remains one dimensional. In three games against New Orleans last season, Newton rushed for just 104 yards. Kick-off is at 7:15.

The Saints chances of getting the number one seed in the NFC improved last night as the Eagles upset the Rams in Los Angeles 30-23. So two more wins for New Orleans and they’ll have the number one seed.

The Pelicans just can’t win two-games in a row. After beating Oklahoma City on Wednesday, New Orleans lost to the Heat 102-96 last night, despite Anthony Davis scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Jrue Holiday added 22 points…

cut 30 (17) “…very soon”
The Pelicans begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday against Milwaukee, then its out to the West Coast.

The LSU Tigers are back in Baton Rouge after a much needed win over St. Mary’s on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The Tigers dribbled past the Gaels 78-74 as Tremont Waters came off the bench to score 18 points. He only had two turnovers after having 27 turnovers in the previous five games.

Tonight…Tulane hosts Texas Southern, while Southeastern Louisiana hosts California Baptist.

Just in time for Christmas, Saints quarterback Drew Brees has sent a commemorative football to every player and coach that helped him set the NFL’s career passing record. There were 174 balls that went out to Brees current and former teammates and assistant coaches too. The gift also includes a signed letter. New Orleans travels to Carolina for a Monday night matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

This afternoon, Tulane and UL-Lafayette meet in the Cure Bowl for a 12:30 kick-off in Orlando. The Cajuns like to run the football with Trey Ragas, Elijah Mitchell adn Raymond Calais, while the Green Wave have defended the run well, holding five of their last six opponents to less than 135 yards rushing.

The New Orleans Bowl is also tonight as Appalachian State faces Middle Tennessee in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome from an 8 PM kick-off. Two good quarterbacks in this one, Zac Thomas for Appalachian State, while the Blue Raiders have Conference USA MVP Bent Stockstill.

LSU basketball fans have a late night in front of them as the Tigers will face St. Mary’s at 10 PM in Las Vegas. Both teams were in the NIT last year, this season LSU is 7-3, while St. Mary’s is 7-4. The California-based school is on a four-game winning streak. Jordan Ford leads the Gaels, averaging 23 points a game and shooting 39-percent from three-point land.

In other action, Louisiana Tech is at Louisiana. The Ragin Cajuns have wn five in a row, while the Bulldogs have won four straight and U-L has won four of the last five meetings, including a four-point win in Ruston last year.

ULM will host Stephen F Austn at 2 PM. Daishon Smith is getting closer to full health. He missed several games with a hamstring injury, but scored 19 in a win over Grambling on Tuesday and for the season he’s averaging 18 ponts a game and shooting 49-percent from three-point territory.

Elswhere…Nicholls is at Boston, McNeese meets Missouri Kansas City, Northwestern State hosts southern and Grambling is at Portland.

The Saints can clinch a first round bye in the NFC playoffs with a win Monday night at Carolina. The Panthers most likely need to win their final three games just to make the playoffs. They have lost five in a row and now sit at 6-and-7. Quarterback Drew Brees tends to play well against the Panthers as he’s averaging 302 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in his past seven games.

What a great game last night in the NFL. The Chargers rallied back from a 14-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to beat Kansas City 29-28. Former LSU Tiger Darrel Williams from John Ehret High School scored his first NFL touchdown on a reception from Patrick Mahomes.

Trey Drosclair is out as head football coach of Ascension Catholic after leading the Bulldogs to two straight Division Four title appearances. According to the Advocate, Ascension Catholic officials were not happy Drosclair had boosters on the sidelines during the title game and also took steps to make sure the Bulldogs didn’t run up the score on their opponents.

Tulane and UL-Lafayette will conclude their season tomorrow in the Cure Bowl in Orlando Florida. The Green Wave have won four of their last five and their defense has played much better this season. Tulane Coach Willie Fritz gives credit to his defensive coordinator Jack Curtis….
cut 17 (23) “….good progres”
Tulane is looking for its first bowl win since 2002, while the Ragin Cajuns are looking for their first winning season since 2014.

In college hoops tomorrow, the Ragin Cajuns will host Louisiana Tech. The game is set to tip at 7 PM. The Bulldogs have won four in a row.

Tomorrow night in Las Vegas, LSU faces St. Mary’s. The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a loss to Houston on Wednesday night.

The Saints and Panthers meet Monday night in Charlotte and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton says he keeps a yellow broom in his locker that was given to him as a gift by New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan. The Black and Gold swept the season series last year, winning both games in the regular season and also winning in the postseason. Newton says if the Panthers win Monday and in the regular season finale, he’ll send the broom back to Jordan.

New Orleans Saints have already locked up back to back NFC South Titles, but Newton says the Saints have more of a history of losing than winning…
cut 14 (12) “….own too”
It’s a must win for the Panthers, who are six and seven and right now the odds of making the playoffs for them is less than 10-percent.

Great game last night in the NFL, the Chargers came back to beat the Chiefs 29-28. Does that Patrick Mahomes MVP chances.

UL-Lafayette and Tulane will meet for the 29th time in football when the two teams play each other Saturday in Cure Bowl in Orlando. The Green Wave is a slight favorite as they’ve played well since former LSU quarterback Justin McMillan started directing the Green Wave offense. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says McMillan is an effective passer…
cut 15 (13) “…season’s went.”
When McMillan was named the starter, the Green Wave were two and five, and since then they’ve gone 4-and-1. Kick-off at 12:30.

In high school football, Ascension Catholic Football Coach Drey Trosclair has been fired, despite leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back Division Four state championship game appearances. The Advocate reports the school was not happy he had school boosters on the sidelines during the title game and they also asked him not to run up the score on their opponents.

Controversial Carolina Quarterback Cam Newton calls a gift he received from Saints defensive Cam Jordan “disrespectful.” Jordan sent Newton a broom, a reference to New Orleans sweeping the season series versus the Panthers last season. The three victories included a win in the postseason. Newton says he’s used the broom as motivation
Cut 13 (12) “…can’t wait.”
The Erik Swoope era with the Saints is over after one day. New Orleans claimed the tight end off waivers on Wednesday and released him the next day. He has been battling a knee injury. Coach Sean Payton says Ted Ginn Junior is getting close to returning, which is why the team released Brandon Marshall, who could come back. Again on Monday, it’s the Saints and Panthers in Charlotte.

The college football bowl season kicks off tomorrow and the Ragin Cajuns versus Tulane in the Cure Bowl is one of five games that will be played tomorrow. UL-Lafayette won its last three regular season games to clinch the Sun Belt West Division. A win on Saturday and the Cajuns will secure a winning record after three straight non-winning seasons. Coach Billy Napier on he wants to end the year….
cut 16 (12) “…right now”
Kick off tomorrow is at 12:30 from Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

In college hoops last night, McNeese defeated North Carolina Central 77-61 as James Harvey came off the bench to score 19 points. Troy Green had a career-high 19 points, but UNO lost to Tulsa 70-60.

Tomorrow, the Cajuns host Louisiana Tech and LSU will play St. Mary’s in Las Vegas.

The Pelicans got 44 points last night from Anthony Davis in a 118 to 114 win over Oklahoma City, who has the best record in the Western Conference. Julius Randle added 22 points and 12 rebounds and Jrue Holiday had 20 points and 10 assists. Coach Alvin Gentry says it was a good effort by his team that’s struggled to find consistency…
cut 30 (14) “…get done”
New Orleans gets a bit of a break, they don’t play again until Sunday against the Miami Heat.

After losing 84-72 last night to 24th ranked Houston, the LSU Tigers will stay on the road. Coach Will Wade’s team heads to Las Vegas to face St. Mary’s on Saturday night. It was a missed opportunity last night for the Tigers, they had a 25-point lead, but went through a significant scoring drought in the second half.

LSU continues preparations for its first ever appearance in the Fiesta Bowl where they’ll play U-C-F. Tigers tight end Foster Moreau says he’s excited for the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game…
cut 18 (12) “….forward to”
The Athletic reports there’s growing talk among movers and shakers to expand the college football playoff from four to eight teams. But there are reports the SEC would not go along with any proposal that would end the SEC championship game.

Saints fans will keep an eye on tonight’s Thursday night NFL game as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs host Phillip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes and Rivers are two of the favorties to win the NFL MVP award, along with Drew Brees.

The Saints will visit Carolina on Monday night. It’s a must win situation for the Panthers, who are 6-and-7 and on the verge of missing the playoffs. Carolina also lost three games to New Orleans last season.

Anthony Davis scored a season-high 44 points, while Julius Randle had 22 points and Jrue Holiday added 20 points in the Pelicans 118 to 114 win over red hot Oklahoma City last night. Coach Alvin Gentry says it was a good win over the Western Conference-leading Thunder…
cut 30 (23) “…for him”
The Pels get a little bit of break as they don’t play again until Sunday against Miami.

In college basketball, LSU had a 15-point lead in the second half, but lost to 24th ranked Houston 82-76. Also, 11th ranked Texas Tech 79-44 over Northwestern State and Ole Miss defeated Southeastern Louisiana 69-57.

If the Saints win on Monday night against Carolina, New Orleans will clinch a first-round playoff bye. They can also secure a first-round bye if the Bears lose to the Packers on Sunday.

Veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall will not be with the Saints for their playoff run. He was released by the team after not playing in a game, since he was signed last month. Tight end Erik Swoope takes Marshall’s place on the roster. Swoope was released by the Colts after catching eight passes this season.

UL-Lafayette and Tulane have arrived in Orlando for their appearance in the Cure Bowl on Saturday. The Green Wave are a 3.5 point favorite.

Bowl practice is underway for the LSU Tigers. Joe Burrow says before they begin focusing on Central Frloida, he’s working to make himself a better quarterback…
cut 17 (09) “…every offseason”
And LSU safety Grant Delpit has become the ninth Tiger to be named a unanimous All-American.

LSU has begun bowl practices for their New Year’s Day matchup with Central Florida. Coach Ed Orgeron says they will continue to work on getting the offense to score more touchdowns and it starts with doing more with their quarterback…
cut 19 (14) “…on that”
LSU safety Grant Delpit has become only the ninth unanimous All-American in school history. Delpit was one of four Tigers who made the F-B-S Coaches All-America Teams.

The Saints have released wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall never appeared in a game with the Black and Gold after he was signed last month. To take Marshall’s place, tight end Erik Swoope signed with the Saints. Swoope was just released by the Colts.

The LSU men’s basketball team visits 24th ranked Houston. The Cougars are 8-0 and they’ve won 21 straight at home, which is the second longest active streak in Division One basketball. The last time LSU has won a game on an opponents home floor, January 10th. Tip-off tonight is at 8 PM.

Also tonight…Northwestern state is at 11th ranked Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are also 8-0, while the Demons are just two and seven.

Southeastern Louisiana visits Ole Miss in a game that will be played at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi. Lions head coach Jay Ladner won a state championship in that building while coaching St. Stanislaus in 2011. This will be S-L-U’s first game in 11 days.

Last night, Louisiana Tech won its fourth straight, beating Mississippi Valley State 96-80. The Ragin Cajuns won their fifth straight as they defeated Prairie View 122 to 90. UL-Lafayette will host Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

And ULM started a four-game homestand last night by beating Grambling State 72-67.

Down 14-3 the Saints needed a spark and they got one from Taysom Hill. The versatile Hill blocked a punt and it led to a 28-14 win over Tampa Bay and the victory clinched a second straight NFC South title. Coach Sean Payton says Hill showed again why he’s so important to this team…
cut 6 (11) “…do it well”
New Orleans defense also dominated after giving up a touchdown drive on the Bucs first possession. Quarterback Drew Brees shook off two turnovers to throw for 201 yards. He had one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown.

And with three weeks remaining the Black and Gold have the top seed in the NFC South after the Bears beat the Rams in Chicago. The 11-and-2 Saints will visit Carolina next Monday night. The Panthers lost again yesterday to Cleveland.

Anthony Davis injured his hip in a first-quarter collision and only scored six points last night, but the Pelicans still defeated Detroit 116 to 108. Jrue Holiday stepped up and had 37 points, while Julius Randle added 28 points, six rebounds and five assists. New Orleans is at Boston tonight and Coach Alvin Gentry is not sure Davis will play.

LSU went on a 16-2 run late in the first half to pull away from Incarnate Word and earn a 91-50 victory. It’s the fewest points allowed by LSU with Will Wade as its head coach. Freshmen Naz Reid and Ja’vonte Smart each had 16 points. The Tigers begin a two-game road trip on Wednesday against Houston.

At the Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic, the Class 5A championship game was the best game, as Zachary quarterback Keilon Brown connected with Chris Hilton on an 80-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and the Broncos beat West Monroe 27-24 for their second straight title.