Five-star running back John Emery of Destrehan has made the decision to play college football in his home state and attend LSU once he graduates high school. The addition of Emery to the 2019 recruiting class moves LSU to fifth in the 24-7 sports team rankings. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the class is loaded with the state’s top players…
Cut 5 (12) “…Trey Palmer.”
The early signing period in college football is December 19th to the 21st.

The Saints are getting ready to host the defending champs. It’s been a struggle for the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been hit with injuries, especially in the defensive secondary. Saints tackle Terron Armstead will reportedly miss the next three to four weeks because of a pectoral injury.

Louisiana Tech will bring a 7-3 record to Hattiesburg for Saturday’s game against Southern Miss. Coach Skip Holtz says he’s proud that his team has learned how to win football games, even if they have yet to fully click on offense…
cut 19 (20) “…for success”
The Golden Eagles have won the last three games in the series.

Southeastern Louisiana will look to beat Nicholls for a third consecutive time tomorrow night. A victory for the Colonels and they will claim a share of the Southland Conference championship and receive an automatic berth into the F-C-S Playoffs.

Tulane is at Houston tomorrow. If the Green Wave win, they are bowl eligible.

And tonight in Minnesota, it’s the Pelicans versus the Timberwolves. New Orleans has won three in a row.

One of the nation’s top running backs has been added to LSU’s 2019 recruiting class. Destrehan’s John Emery has given his verbal commitment to Coach Ed Orgeron. He’s a five-star running back, who was previously committed to Georgia, but de-committed after the Tigers beat the Bulldogs last month. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says this is a big get for LSU…
cut 4 (10) “…gave up”
The addition of Emery to the 2019 recruiting class moves LSU to fifth in the 24-7 sports team rankings.

And Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead will reportedly miss the next three to four weeks because of a pectoral injury. Amstead left during the first half of New Orleans lopsided win over Cincinnati. Veteran Jermon Bushrod will likely get the start Sunday against the 4-and-5 Eagles.

For the 50th time, Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss will meet on the gridiron as the two Conference USA schools meet in Hattiesburg on Saturday at 2:30. The Golden Eagles have won the last three matchups in this series and Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they have to get ready for an explosive passing game…
Cut 17 (20) “high level”

The football weekend in Louisiana gets underway tomorrow as Nicholls will host Southeastern Louisiana in the River Bell Classic at 6 PM. A win for the Colonels and they win a share of the Southland Conference title and an automatic berth into the FCS playoffs.

In college hoops, LSU beat Memphis 85-76, La Tech over Harding 89-59, BYU beat Northwestern State 82-57 and Nicholls knocked off Idaho 83-80.

Big LSU recruiting news as five-star running back John Emery announces he has committed to the Fighting Tigers. 24-7 sports rates Emery as the number two running back in the country. He was originally committed to Georrgia, but de-committed 12 days after watching LSU beat the Bulldogs in Tiger Stadium.

LSU’s current senior running back Nick Brossette has received some criticism from fans and gamblers for not trying to score a touchdown late in the game against Arkansas. He slid down to the ground twice, but once LSU got near the goal line, he tried to score. Brossette says that’s what Coach Ed Orgeron told him to do…
cut 15 (04) “…yea”
Even though LSU won by just point seven points over Arkansas, they remain ranked seventh in this week’s college football playoff rankings which were released last night.

The Saints are back at practice today as they will host the defending champs. The Eagles are going through a Super Bowl hangover as they are just 4-and-5. Injuries, especially in the secondary have been a problem.

Louisiana Tech is at Southern Miss on Saturday. Golden Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins has nine touchdown catches and quarterback Jack Abraham has thrown for over 2,000 yards. Coach Skip Holtz says Abraham is smart and knows where to go with the football…
Cut 18 (12) “spread quarterback”
Tech is coming off a 28-13 win over Rice. They are 7-3 with two more regular season games left.

In college hoops, LSU had five players in double figures as the Tigers defeated Memphis 85-76. Skylar Mays had 19 points including monstrous dunk over Memphis’ Mike Parks Junior. The Tigers are 3-0.

The Saints lead the NFL in scoring at 37 points a game and they have scored on 66-percent of their possessions. But Coach Sean Payton sees where they can get better….
cut 18 (20) “…haven’t been good”
When Payton spoke with reporters, he did not provide an update on left tackle Terron Armstead, who who left in the second quarter on Sunday, because of a shoulder injury. An injury report will be released tomorrow.

The 22nd ranked LSU men’s basketball team hosts Memphis tonight. Memphis is coached by Penny Hardaway and they like to press. Memphis won their season opener over Tennessee Tech and Will Wade’s team is 2-0. His three starting guards, Tremont Waters, Skylar Mays and Ja’vonte Smart have combined to average 36.5 points and 10 assists a game.

LSU is a huge favorite to beat Rice on Saturday as the Owls have just one win on the season. Could we see sophomore quarterback Myles Brennan get some snaps? Coach Ed Orgeron says Brennan has been battling a minor injury which kept him from playing earlier, but the coach is pleased with his back-up Q-B’s development…
Cut 20 (16) “…healthier.”
Orgeron says they may simplify things on offense this week. The Tigers haven’t done much on that side of the football since the huge win over Georgia.

The Pelicans had a huge win last night as New Orleans beat Toronto 126 to 110. Anthony Davis had 25 points and 20 rebounds. E’Twaun Moore had 30 points and Jrue Holiday has 29 points and a game-high 14 assists. New Orleans visits the Jimmy Buterless Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night.

Since LSU’s upset win over Georgia, the Tigers offense hasn’t looked good, failing to reach 360 total yards in their last three games. Coach Ed Orgeron believes they have lost their identity and the coaching staff is searching for a way to get the offense back on track…
Cut 19 (15) “…it maybe.”
LSU is a huge favorite to beat Rice on Saturday as the Owls have just one win on the season.

Last night in college hoops, Texas topped ULM 65-55. Tonight, 22nd ranked LSU hosts Memphis. Tigers freshman Naz Reid is off to a good start as he’s averaging 23 points after two games.

Also Louisiana Tech hosts Harding, Southeastern Louisiana visits Texas Tech, Northwestern State is at BYU and Nicholls faces Idaho.

Saints Coach Payton admits to breaking a fire alarm that wouldn’t stop ringing in their locker room at Paul Brown Stadium before Sunday’s 51- 14 victory over Cincinnati. Payton says he didn’t do it out of disrespect…
Cut 16 (14) “…to stop.”
Payton says he’ll pay for the repair costs.

Last night in the NFL, the Giants beat the 49ers 27-23 as Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, two of them went to Odell Beckham Junior.

Big win for the Pelicans last night as they defeated Toronto 126 to 110 to snap a five-game raod losing streak. It was only the second loss of the season for the Raptors. Anthony Davis had 25 points and 20 rebounds, E’Twaun Moore had 30 points, Jrue Holiday added 29 points and had a season-high 14 assists. New Orleans is at Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Saints have signed six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The 13-year vet joins the roster just a few days after Dez Bryant went down for the year with an Achilles injury. Coach Sean Payton says Marshall brings experience to the Black and Gold….
cut 17 (15) “…plans are”
Marshall was released by Seattle after six games this season and has yet to play in a playoff game.

Big win for the Pelicans last night as New Orleans handed Toronto just its second loss of the season with a 126-110 win on the Raptors home floor. It was the Pels first win over the Raptors since 2015. Anthony Davis had 25 points and a season-high 20 rebounds. E-Twaun Moore added 30 points.

Coach Ed Orgeron says cornerback Kristian Fulton will be out awhile with an injury. Kary Vincent Junior, who had an interception last Saturday, could start in Fulton’s place. Freshman Kelvin Joseph could also see extra playing time. Orgeron says defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko will also miss Saturday’s game against Rice, but could play in the regular season finale.

ULM QB Caleb Evans has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week. Evans accounted for 421 yards of total offense and four touchdowns as the Warhawks defeated South Alabama 38-10. ULM has won four straight.

Grambling defensive back Joseph McWilliams is the defensive player of the week. McWilliams had an interception and led the team in tackles as Grambling defeated Alabama A-and-M.

And Northwestern State’s Hayden Bourgeois was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He blocked a potentially game-winning field goal in the Demons upset win over McNeese.

It’s another Black and Gold victory Monday as the Saints had little trouble beating Cincinnati 51-14 yesterday. Quarterback Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes. Running back Mark Ingram had his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season and the defense sacked Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton four times and picked him off twice. Coach Sean Payton says it was a well balanced game…
cut 16 (11) “…solid game”
And Payton admits he broke a fire alarm that wouldn’t stop ringing in their locker room at Paul Brown Stadium before the game. He says it was going off for 10 minutes and he just needed the noise to stop. The coach says he will take care of the repair cost.

After losing Dez Bryant to an achilles injury, the Saints have signed veteran receiver Brandon Marshall.

Not many LSU fans were excited about the Tigers 24-17 win over Arkansas on Saturday. The expectation was for LSU to win by a lot more points against a team that has just two wins and has played poorly on defense this season. Coach Ed Orgeron calls it a nice bounce back win after getting shut out by Alabama…
cut 18 (19) “…to the season”
LSU returns to Tiger Stadium to host 1-and-10 Rice. Add cornerback Kristian Fulton to the injury list. Orgeron says Fulton will be out awhile.

After losing six in a row, the Pelicans take a two-game win streak into Toronto tonight where New Orleans will face a 12-and-1 Raptors team.

The Saints won their 8th straight yesterday and it’s hard to imagine New Orleans playing any better as they crushed Cincinnati 51-14. The Saints scored on every drive, except the last one, because they chose to take a knee on three consecutive plays to run the clock. Today the Bengals fired their defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and the Saints have signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall to replace the injured Dez Bryant.

10th ranked LSU heads into its final home game of the year with an 8-2 record after holding on to beat Arkansas 24-17 on a frigid night in Fayetteville. Coach Ed Orgeron was happy, even though the game got close…
Cut 17 (21) “we did”
The Tigers host 1-and-10 Rice on Saturday.

ULM is bowl eligible after beating South Alabama 38-10 and the Ragin Cajuns are one win away from a sixth win to become bowl eligible. UL-Lafayette rushed for a season-high 355 yards in a 36-22 win over Georgia State. Running back Raymond Calais had a career-high 186 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Coach Billy Napier says Raymond has developed over time….
Cut 19 (16) “…elite speed.”
Calais is the Sun Belt Player of the Week for his performance against Georgia State that included a school-record 92-yard run.

Northwestern State’s Hayden Bourgeois was named Southland Conference Special Teams Player of te week. Bourgeois blocked a potential game-winning field goal in overtime in the Demons upset win over McNeese.

What a performance by the Saints yesterday as they completely dominated the Bengals 51-14. There was a thought the Black and Gold would produce a flat performance after emotional wins over the Vikings and Rams, but Quarterback Drew Brees says the players were ready to play….
cut 15 (09) “…of the season”
The Saints scored on their first nine possessions. They didn’t score on their last drive, because the team took a knee to end the game. Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Thomas caught two of those touchdown passes. The defense was great too as they held the Bengals to 284 yards of offense.

NFC South foes Atlanta and Tampa Bay also lost, while the Rams won, holding on to beat Seattle. New Orleans will host Philadelphia this Sunday at 3:25. The Eagles are coming off a home loss to Dallas.

LSU holds steady in the major college football polls as they are ranked 10th. The Tigers host 1-and-10 Rice on Saturday at 6:30.

Louisiana Tech beat Rice on Saturday 28-13 as Jaqwis Dancy had a career-high three touchdowns and Adrian Hardy caught a career-high 10 passes. The Bulldogs will be at Hattiesburg on Saturday to face Southern Miss.

ULM is bowl eligible after beating South Alabama on Saturday. With a win this Saturday over South Al, the Ragin Cajuns can become bowl eligible. UL Lafayette coach Billy Napier says he’s still looking for his team to put it all together…
cut 20 (13) “….every area”

In the Southland, Northwestern State’s double overtime upset win over McNeese gives Nicholls a chance on Saturday to earn an automatic berth in the F-C-S playoffs with a win on Thursday over Southeastern Louisiana.

Grambling and Southern both win. They’ll decide the SWAC West title when they meet in the Bayou Classic.

Big news involving the Saints newly signed wide receiver Dez Bryant. It’s being reported he was helped off the practice field today after suffering what is feared to be a torn Achilles. The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the team is awaiting the MRI results .

There was a report earlier today that Bryant was not expected to play in Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. New Orleans will take on the Bengals at noon in the Queen City.

Last week, the Saints held superstar running back Todd Gurley to 68 yards rushing. Linebacker A-J Klein says Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon is also very talented…
cut 13 (11) “…with him”
New Orleans is seeking its eighth straight win, while Cincinnati is 5-3 on the season. The Saints will not have defensive end Marcus Davenport for a second straight week because of a toe injury.
LSU will face an Arkansas team on Saturday that has just two wins. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron is eager to see how his team bounces back from the Alabama loss…
cut 14 (08) “…very good offense”
Jerry Palm, senior writer for CBS Sports, says if LSU wins its remaining three remaining games they’ll end up in either the Sugar, Peach or Fiesta Bowl…
cut 18 (10) “…group of teams”

ULM came become bowl eligible with a win over South Alabama on Saturday. McNeese and Nicholls are fighting to get in the F-C-S playoffs. The Cowboys are at Northwestern State, while the Colonels host Stephen F Austin.
Southern and Grambling are battling for a spot in the SWAC championship game. The Jaguars host Arkansas Pine-Bluff, while the Tigers are at Alabama A-and-M.