The NFL’s updated roughing the passer rule is the league’s big controversy for this season in an attempt to protect the quarterback, 34 roughing the passer flags have been thrown through the season’s first three weeks, compared to just 16 a year ago. Saints Coach Sean Payton, who sits on NFL’s competition committee, says the flag should be thrown when a player intentionally places all his weight on the quarterback, but flags have been thrown when they should have stayed in the refs pocket
Cut 19 (14) “ biggest challenge”
The Saints visit the Giants Sunday. Defensive end Cam Jordan and running back Alvin Kamara were limited in practice yesterday because of injuries.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said during his radio show last night he expects injured starting offensive guard Garrett Brumfield will miss at least a couple of weeks. True freshmen Chasen Hines from Marshall, Texas will take Brumfield’s place in the starting line up.

Through the first month of the college football season, Adrian Hardy has become Louisiana Tech’s top wide receiver as he’s caught 19 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says he’s not surprised by the sophomore’s success…
cut 17 (22) “….he’s learning”
Hardy and the Bulldogs offense will need to play well Saturday when they visit undefeated North Texas. The Mean Green defense leads the nation with 10 interceptions.

Pelicans All-Star power forward Anthony Davis says he’s the best player in the N-B-A. The former number one overall pick finished third last season in M-V-P voting as he put up huge numbers.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week today after throwing for 396 yards and three touchdowns in the 43-37 win over the Falcons. During the game, Brees set an NFL record for most career completions and just needs 417 yards to overtake Peyton Manning for most passing yards.

5th ranked LSU will face one of the top passing games in the SEC this Saturday when they take on Ole Miss. The Rebels are averaging 348 yards per game through the air. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has thrown 10 touchdown passes to just three interceptions and his top receiver, A-J Brown has caught 26 passes. Tigers Cornerback Greedy Williams says they have to stop Ta’amu through the air and on the ground….
cut 18 (14) “….bad reads”
Last year, LSU beat Ole Miss 40-24 and they held A-J Brown to just four catches for 39 yards.

After beating Sam Houston State for the first time 13 years, the 15th ranked Nicholls State Colonels are back home this Saturday to host Lamar. Nicholls is looking to go 2-1 in the league against a Cardinals team that’s 1-and-3 overall.

McNeese will try to improve its league record to 3-0 as they’ll host Stephen F Austin on Saturday at 6 PM in Cowboy Stadium. Northwestern State will travel to Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are 1-1 in league play, while the Demons, who were off last week, are 1-0.

Grambling State Coach Broderick Fobbs is sticking with Aldon Clark as his starting quarterback, even though he threw for just 37 yards in last week’s shutout win over Alabama State. Clark and the Tigers are in Dallas this Saturday for their annual matchup with Prairie View A-and-M in the State Fair Classic.

Southern is 2-2 on the season, even though they have a turnover ratio of negative six. The Jaguars host one of the SWAC’s best teams at Mumford Stadium on Saturday when they face Alcorn State for a 6 PM kickoff.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron says he wants to see more explosive plays on offense….
cut 17 (15) “…behind the chains”
The Tigers will start their fifth different offensive line combination this Saturday against Ole Miss. Garrett Brumfield has been ruled out with an apparent knee injury. Also tackles, Adrian Magee and Sahdiiq Charles are questionable.

We’ll have to wait until an injury report is released tomorrow to find out the status of Saints defensive back Patrick Robinson, who went down in the win over Atlanta with a high ankle sprain. It’s not good news for a secondary that that’s been susceptible to big pass play. New Orleans’ defense is allowing 10 yards per pass attempt, which is the worst in the NFL. The Saints will visit the New York Giants this Sunday.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier goes up against his former boss this Saturday, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Napier says he’s looking forward to the opportunity….
cut 20 (18) “…head coach”
Napier spent five seasons on Saban’s staff as his wide receivers coach.

In the FCS Coaches Poll, McNeese is ranked 11 and Nicholls is ranked 15th. The Colonels host Lamar this Saturday, while Cowboys take on Stephen F austin.

The Houston Rockets will spend this week in Lake Charles for training camp. They will be using the new basketball arena on the McNeese campus. Training camp is also underway for the Pelicans. The big competition is for the starting spot at small forward.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron wants to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That will be important this week as the Tigers host the SEC’s top passing team. The Ole Miss Rebels are averaging 348 yards through the air. Coach Ed Orgeron says Andre Anthony is a guy who can get after the passer…
Cut 16 (16) “.. job of that .
On the other side of the ball, Orgeron says starting left guard Garrett Brumfield will miss Saturday’s game versus Ole Miss with an apparent knee injury. Coach O is not sure when Brumfield will return. True freshman Chasen Hines will start in Brumfield’s place.

In the FCS Coaches Poll, McNeese is ranked 11 and Nicholls is ranked 15th.

Pittsburgh held of Tampa Bay 30-27 last night despite another 400-yard passing performance from Ryan Fitzpatrick. So that means there’s a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South, between the Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers. New Orleans has the worst pass defense in the NFL as they are giving up a staggering 10 yards per pass play. This Sunday they’ll face Eli Manning, Odell Beckham and the New York Giants.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier goes up against his former boss this Saturday, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Napier says he’s looking forward to the opportunity….
cut 20 (18) “…head coach”
Napier spent five seasons on Saban’s staff as his wide receivers coach.

What a hard fought victory for the Saints yesterday as they outlasted the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 in overtime as Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 39 yards and two passing touchdowns. But it was Brees’ legs that proved to be the difference in this one. He scored the winning touchdown when he leaped over the line of scrimmage for a one-yard score. He also scored a T-D that ended up tying the game with 1:15 left. Brees spun away from two defenders and dove into the end zone for the seven-yard score…
cut 14 (13) “…moves are good”
Brees also set the NFL record for career completions, passing Brett Favre’s mark of 6,300.

The Saints are now tied with the Panthers for second place in the NFC South. Carolina beat Cincinnati 31-21 yesterday.

LSU moved up to number five in the A-P Top 25 poll, which was released yesterday. The 4-0 Tigers defeated Louisiana Tech 38-21 on Saturday, but LSU’s defense gave up 330 yards passing and allowed the Bulldogs to convert nine times on 18-third down chances. Tigers linebacker Devin White says that will be a point of emphasis at practice this week…
cut 17 (20) “…promise you that’
LSU faces a very good passing team this Saturday when the Ole Miss Rebels visit Death Valley. Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play at North Texas.

Elsewhere, Nicholls upset 11th ranked Sam Houston 27-7.

It was about a year ago when Troy came into Tiger Stadium and knocked off the LSU Tigers 24-21. The Bayou Bengals want to avoid that from happening again when they welcome Louisiana Tech to Baton Rouge tomorrow night. Linebacker Michael Divinity says he doesn’t want to ruin what has been a great start to the season….
cut 18 (18) “…more things”
LSU is know for its defensive standouts, but Louisiana Tech has a couple of NFL prospects on that side of ball. Defensive end Jaylen Ferguson and cornerback Amik Robertson, who was a freshman All-American last season. Kick-off is at 6 PM.

On Sunday, it’s Saints versus the Falcons. Starting nose tackle Tyeler Davison and linebacker Manti Teo have been ruled out for the game because of injuries.

A temporary restraining order issued by a St. Charles Parish judge clears the way for Andrew Robison to play football tonight for the Hahnville Tigers. The LHSAA has ruled Robison can’t play for Hahnville this season, because of violations that occurred when he transferred in from Vandebilt Catholic. Robison’s attorney, Michael Moyer, says the LHSAA is not taking into account all of the facts…
cut 15 (10) “…the report”
According to a report from NOLA.com, Hahnville has decided not to play Robison tonight. A full court hearing on the matter will take place Wednesday.

Hahnville and Destrehan is just one of several great games tonight. On C-S-T, you can watch a re-match of last year’s Division Three state championship game as Notre Dame visits Catholic High of New Iberia. The two teams are ranked 1-2 in the latest Class 2A poll.

In other action, Union Parish is at Many, Sterlington hosts Loyola Prep, Northwood visits North DeSoto and St. Thomas faces the defending Division One champs, Catholic High of Baton Rouge.

Tomorrow night’s game between LSU and Louisiana Tech in Tiger Stadium is a sellout. The Bulldogs are bringing a 2-0 record into Death Valley, while Tiger Nation is pumped over their team’s 3-0 record and number six national ranking. Quarterback Joe Burrow says the players are blocking out the good and bad noise….
cut 17 (20) “…really good”
Coach Ed Orgeron says starting left tackle Saahdiq Charles is very questionable to play tomorrow night.

Former LSU Tiger Jarvis Landry had 103 receiving yards and threw a pass to convert a two-point conversion as Cleveland finally won a game last night, flying past the Jets 21-17.

A matchup to watch in Sunday’s Saints-Falcons game is Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones versus New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The second-year defensive back knows he has his work cut out for him….
cut 19 (12) “..my game”
Meanwhile, Saints wide receiver Cam Meredith hopes he’ll be active for the first time this season for Sunday game.

Tomorrow night at Cajun Field its UL Lafayette versus Coastal Carolina. Coastal has been displaced from their campus in Conway, South Carolina, because of Hurricane Florence and the flooding its left behind. They prepared for this game in St Augustine, Florida, practicing at three different high schools, while staying at the Renaissance Hotel and World Golf Village.

There are plenty of big high school football games tonight, Northwood at North DeSoto, Iota hosts Northwest and Catholic of New Iberia hosts Notre Dame in a matchup of the top two teams in Two-A.

LSU is 3-0 despite starting quarterback Joe Burrow completing only 46-percent of his passes so far. Burrow knows he can be better
Cut 16 (11) “…to improve”
Burrow might not have his starting left tackle blocking for him on Saturday. Coach Ed Orgeron says Saahdiq Charles is very questionable to play and the Bulldogs have a good pass rusher in Jaylon Ferguson.

A matchup to watch in Sunday’s Saints-Falcons game is Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones versus New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The second year defensive back knows he has his work cut out for him…
Cut 19 (12) “ my game”
Kick-off is at noon.

Tulane will face 4th ranked Ohio State on Saturday. The game marks the return of Urban Meyer to the sidelines for the Buckeyes.

3-0 McNeese plays up in class tomorrow when they visit 25th ranked BYU. The Cougars are coming off an upset victory over Wisconsin. Squally Canada rushed for 118 yards on 11 carries against the Badgers last week. McNeese linebacker BJ Blunt leads the F-C-S with five sacks.

After playing the first three weeks on the road, Nicholls return to John L Guidry Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a matchup against 11th ranked Sam Houston State. The Colonels are coming off a 20-10 loss to McNeese. The Bearkcats also lost last week, falling to North Dakota 24-23. The Kats have won 11 straight over Nicholls.

Louisiana Tech will make the bus ride down to Baton Rouge tomorrow for their game against 6th ranked LSU. Bulldogs Senior linebacker Dae’Von Washington of Alexandria says they are gearing up for a physical game…
cut 18 (18) “….he did that”
LSU has won 15 straight over the Bulldogs. Tech’s lone win during the series came in 1904 when the Bulldogs won six to nothing.

Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Junior was not at practice during the portion viewed by the media today, but says he’ll play Sunday against Atlanta. He may have to return punts too, because the Saints have played TommyLee Lewis on injured reserve. Alvin Kamara is another possibility, but he’s already has a bigger role on offense with Mark Ingram serving a four-game suspension.

Tonight’s NFL game is Cleveland hosting the New York Jets.

After losing 56-10 to Mississippi State last week, the Ragin Cajuns are looking forward to opening Sun Belt play as they host Coastal Carolina this week. Last Saturday, starting quarterback Andre Nunez was 21-of-29 for 224 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Nunez says they have to score more than just one touchdown this Saturday….
cut 20 (12) “…on offense”
Nunez’s pass completion percentage is 78-percent, which is second highest in the nation. Georgia’s Nate Fromm is number one at 80-percent.

ULM will host Troy. The Trojans are coming off a big win over Nebraska. Last year when they upset LSU, Troy lost the following week to South Alabama 19-8.

Many Louisiana Tech fans hope LSU will have a let down performance on Saturday night when the Bulldogs face the Tigers in Death Valley. LSU is coming off a big road win and go into Saturday’s game as huge favorites. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says he’s not expecting an LSU let down
Cut 16 (14) “…to play”
LSU’s starting left tackle Saahdiq Charles was not spotted at practice yesterday during the portion that’s viewed by the media. No word on his status for Saturday’s game.

The Saints have placed receiver and return man Tommylee Lewis on injured reserve because of a knee injury. It’s unclear who will return punts this Sunday against Atlanta. Alvin Kamar or Ten Ginn Junior are possibilities. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones missed yesterday’s practice with a calf injury.

The Ragin Cajuns look to rebound this Saturday in the Sun Belt opener against Coastal Carolina. UL Lafayette allowed over 600 yard of offense in a 56-10 loss to Mississippi State last week. The Bulldogs were 8-of-11 on third downs. First-year Cajuns Coach Billy Napier admits his defense is a work in progress
Cut 19 (20) “ better communication”
The Cajuns are a four-pont favorite this Saturday.

Former Louisiana College athletic director, basketball and baseball coach Billy Allgood passed away yesterday at age of 86. Allgood won 327 games in 26 seasons as the head basketball coach.