The Saints season ended in heart breaking fashion in Minnesota last night. A 61-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game gave the Vikings an improbable 29-24 victory over New Orleans. It appeared New Orleans had just completed a successful comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit to win 24-23. But that touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs ripped the hearts out of the Who Dat nation. Coach Sean Payton…:
Cut 16 (13) “bit of time”
Saints rookie Safety Marcus Williams had an interception in the game, but it was his missed tackle that allowed Diggs to go in untouched into the end zone for the winning score. Quarterback Drew Brees no one should say Williams lost them this game…:
Cut 19 (13) “little different”

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette is a happy camper today as he helped lift his Jacksonville Jaguars to a 45-42 AFC divisional playoff victory over the Steelers. The New Orleans native rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, and ESPN reports that makes Fournette just the second rookie in NFL post-season history with three rushing TDs in one game.

Former Louisiana Tech standout Carlos Henderson of the Denver Broncos was arrested for possession of a controlled substance Sunday afternoon following a traffic stop on I-20 in West Monroe. The Broncos said in a statement Sunday night they are aware of the issue involving Henderson and are gathering more information.

In the NBA, the Pelicans rallied to claim a 123-118 overtime win against the Knicks last night in New York. Star forward Anthony Davis scored a season-high 48 points in the game.

The LSU men’s basketball team dropped a close SEC game against Alabama 74-66, Saturday night in the PMAC. The Tigers stay in Baton Rouge for tomorrow’s game against Georgia.

The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send Mardi Gras boxes to troops overseas to remind them of home. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The recent cold snaps in Louisiana will probably not affect the bee population, but other insects may be affected.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Retail stores will not be selling hunting and fishing licenses for two months starting January 30th. Matt Doyle explains why…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send some Fat Tuesday love to our troops serving in locations throughout the world who can’t be home this Carnival season. Mission Mardi Gras from Afghanistan coordinator Tawney Tallo, says their goal is to make sure all service members deployed from Louisiana receive a Carnival package before February 13th…:

Cut 4  (08) “traditional parade” 

If you would like to send a Mardi Gras Box to a deployed soldier, visit the Louisiana Heroes Project on Facebook for details. Tallo says some people don’t realize how much it means to soldiers when they get special care packages like this…:

Cut 5  (09)  “closer to home”

Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items such as hats, throws, costumes, beads, or Louisiana inspired foods such as beignet mix, red beans and rice, and King Cake. Tallo, who is also deployed overseas, says when these treats arrive it feels like Louisiana has come to them…:

Cut 6 (08)  “around us”

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It’s been a colder than normal winter to say the least in Louisiana and it might affect the insect population this summer.  LSU Entomology Professor Timothy Schowalter says many tropical species in Louisiana are at the edge of the areas they normally inhabit and says how they reacted to the weather will determine their fate…

Cut 7 (08)  “exposed inscets.”

Schowalter says it’s expected that there will be a reduction in mosquitoes this year since some adults were more than likely killed in the December cold snap…

Cut 8 (07) “in reproduction.”

Lovebugs will more than likely survive these recent cold snaps.  Schowalter says they were long gone since they make their bi-yearly flights in April and October…

Cut 9 (09)  “would freeze.”

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Sportsman will be unable to renew their hunting and fishing licenses at retail stores for two months starting January 30^th while the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries transitions to a new system. Spokesperson Rene LeBreton says the state has a new vendor for licensing…

Cut 10 (10) “these stores.”

They will be available again at retail stores April 2^nd.

LeBreton says the new system will be more convenient…

Moving the chains could be difficult for the Saints Sunday in their NFC playoff matchup with the Vikings. Minnesota leads the NFL in yards allowed per game and points given up. Also, the Vikings have only allowed teams to convert 25-percent of the time on third down. Quarterback Drew Brees says they’ll need to have success on first and second downs…
cut 20 (20) “…for us”
The Vikings are also allowing just 84 yards a game on the ground. New Orleans has failed to rush for more than 100 yards in four of their last five games.

The Pelicans look to move a game above five-hundred tonight as they host Portland. Anthony Davis is expected to play, despite an ankle injury.

The LSU fan base might not be excited that Steve Ensminger is the Tigers new offensive coordinator, but Coach Ed Orgeron is thrilled he’ll be calling plays in 2018. Coach O says based on what Ensminger did as an interim offensive coordinator, he should be able to excel now that he has the job on a full-time basis…
cut 17 (15) “…in the redzone”
LSU officially named Greg McMahon as its special teams coordinator. McMahon spent last season an analyst. He was the special teams coordinator for the Saints the nine previous seasons.

College hoops…Louisiana Tech lost to Middle Tennessee 72-57. Tomorrow, LSU hosts Alabama as the Tigers look for their third straight win. UL Lafayette tries to stay undefeated in the Sun Belt as they host ULM. McNeese is at Southeastern. The Lions are 4-0 in Southland play.

Head coach Ed Orgeron came out strongly in support of his new offensive coordinator, Steve Ensminger. Ensminger has been an assistant at LSU since 2010, he’s a former quarterback, and also served as interim offensive coordinator for eight games in 2016. Orgeron says there’s a lot of reasons Tigers fan should be excited about Ensminger’s promotion…
Cut 16 (14) “and cheered”
Veteran receivers coach Jerry Sullivan has been named senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator.

In college basketball last night, Louisiana Tech dropped to 1-4 in Conference USA Play as Middle Tennessee went on a 13-3 run to finish last night’s game. The Blue Raiders, who are undefeated in league play, won 72-57.

The Saints have the advantage at quarterback in Sunday’s N-F-C playoff game with the Vikings. Drew Brees is a future Hall of famer, who threw for 376 yards and two touchdowns last week, while Minnesota’s Case Keenum is making his first postseason start. Keenum is on his fourth team and was considered a journeymen until this season. Brees says he can relate…
Cut 18 (18) “his team”
Brees will need to be sharp on Sunday. Minnesota has the NFL’s top ranked defense. Kick off is at 3:40.

Perfect Game ranks LSU baseball 12th in their preseason poll. Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky are SEC teams ranked in the top 10.

The Pelicans host Portland tonight. Head Coach Alvin Gentry believes Anthony Davis will play, after missing Wednesday’s loss to Memphis with an ankle injury.

Steve Ensminger said today he embraces the opportunity to be LSU’s offensive coordinator and that he’ll make the state proud. The 59-year-old choked up a few times when talking about his new job after serving as the Tigers tight ends coach since 2010. And Ensminger also was defiant when it comes to the criticism that he’s not the right man for the job….
cut 14 (13) “…..I’ll do it”
So what will LSU’s offense look like with Ensminger calling plays. The former Tiger quarterback says he wants to run a fast paced, spread offense…
cut 13 (12) “…four wideouts”
And LSU has also named long-time NFL assistant Jerry Sullivan as senior offensive assistant and passing game coordinator.

One of the individual match-ups to watch when the Saints face the Vikings on Sunday is New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas versus Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Coach Sean Payton says they have to respect respect Rhodes talent…
cut 18 (14) “….behind it”
Thomas had five catches for 45 yards in the week one matchup against Minnesota.

LSU introduces long time assistant coach and former quarterback Steve Ensminger as its new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s promotion from tight ends coach to O-C doesn’t have many fans excited…
cut 15 (13) “….solution yet”
The Tigers went 6-2 when Ensminger served as an interim offensive coordinator in 2016.

With last night’s 75-54 victory over Arkansas in Bud Walton Arena, the LSU basketball team has surpassed the number of victories it achieved all of last season. The Tigers throttled the Razorbacks 75-54 to improve to 11-4, 2-and-1 in the SEC.

The Pelicans are back at .500 mark after a disappointing 105-102 loss to Memphis. New Orleans scored just nine points in the third quarter.

The Saints have won only one road playoff game in franchise history and that came in 2014 against the Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans goes into Sunday’s game in Minnesota with one of the least penalized offensive lines in the NFL and Coach Sean Payton says they will need to be discplined against the Vikings…
cut 17 (12) “…this year”
U-S Bank Stadium holds 66-thousand fans.

Southeastern Louisiana is off to its best start ever in Southland Conference play as the Lions improved to 4-0 with a come from behind 63-58 win over Lamar yesterday. UNO dropped to 4-1 in league play, with a 78-68 loss to Stephen F Austin and Nicholls is also 4-1 in the Southland after beating McNeese State 85-80. Tonight, Louisiana Tech begins a difficult two-game road trip at Middle Tennessee.

Steve Ensminger is officially the new offensive coordinator for LSU. Ensminger has been with the Tigers for the last eight years, most recently as the team’s tight ends coach, and he also served as the interim offensive coordinator in 2016. Despite a promising past record helping the team’s offense, Tiger Rag’s James Moran says LSU fans don’t sound happy…:
Cut 14 (14) “at LSU”
Ensminger is a former LSU quarterback who brought the team to three bowl games in the late 70s. LSU running back Derrius announced Wednesday he will enter the NFL Draft.

Tiger fans got to witness another brilliant performance by the men’s hoops team last night, as LSU dominated Arkansas the entire game on their way to a 75-54 victory. The Tigers return to the PMAC Saturday to face Alabama.

The Saints face their biggest challenge of the year this Sunday, as they head to Minnesota for a rematch of the season opener that they lost 29-19. The Vikings boast the best defense in the league, and have routinely suffocated even the best offenses. Coach Sean Payton…:
Cut 16 (14) “a great defense”
Kickoff Sunday is at 3:40pm.

Southeastern Louisiana men’s hoops rallied from 15 point halftime deficit to beat Lamar 63-58. The Lions are 4-0 in the Southland. Roddy Peters poured in 26 points as Nicholls improved to 4-1 in the Southland with an 85-80 win over McNeese. UNO fell to 4-1 in league play by losing to Stephen F Austin 78-68.

McNeese State head football coach Lance Guidry is reportedly in negotiations with Florida State for a defensive assistant coaching position.

The Pelicans had a nice showing last night but ended up falling to Memphis 105-102 last night.

LSU has officially hired Matt Canada’s replacement. The Tigers have promoted Steve Ensminger to the position of offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says this isn’t really a surprise…:
CUT 26 (10) “replacing him with”
Ensminger played quarterback for the Tigers from 1976-79 and played in three bowl games at LSU.

Tigers running back Derrius Guice has declared for the NFL draft, as expected. He announced on social media that he has decided to forgo his senior season, becoming the 5th tiger to do so. Guice will finish his LSU career as the school’s single-season record holder for career yards-per-carry.

Golden Eagles quarterback Andre Sale is leaving Tennessee Tech and transferring to LSU. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

The LSU men’s basketball team visits Arkansas tonight looking to keep the momentum going after a thrilling win over Texas A-and-M on Saturday. The Tigers have won two straight on the road, but Coach Will Wade says they will have to step up their game to get a win in Fayetteville…:
Cut 18 (13) “dunking everything”
The Tigers were picked to finish in last place in the SEC. But so far they are exceeding expectations.

The Saints and Vikings are set to meet for a second time this season on Sunday when they meet in the N-F-C playoffs. It sure feels like that first meeting was played during a different season, considering how much the personnel has changed for both teams. Case Keenum has taken over as Minnesota’s quarterback, while the Saints didn’t have left tackle Terron Armstead or center Max Unger. Both players are healthy now, but left guard Andrus Peat will not play after breaking his fibula last week.

The Saints and Vikings are set to meet for a second time this season on Sunday when they meet in the N-F-C playoffs. It sure feels like that first meeting was played during a different season, considering how much the personnel has changed for both teams. Case Keenum has taken over as Minnesota’s quarterback, while the Saints didn’t have left tackle Terron Armstead or center Max Unger. Both players are healthy now, but left guard Andrus Peat will not play after breaking his fibula last week.

LSU cornerback Donte Jackson has declared for the N-F-L draft. Jackson is the fourth Tiger underclassmen who has decided to forgo his senior season. Running back Derrius Guice is expected to make his decision known very soon and he’s not expected back for his senior campaign.

Former Tennessee Tech starting quarterback Andre Sale has enrolled in classes at LSU and will walk-on the football team. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Sale completed 59-percent of his passes this past year, and threw eight touchdowns, but was intercepted 10 times.

The LSU Tigers visit Arkansas tonight in SEC basketball action. The Bayou Bengals have won two straight on the road, but Coach Will Wade says they will have to step up their game to get a win in Fayetteville…
cut 18 (13) “…dunking everythign”
Tip-off tonight is at 8 PM.

The Saints return to the practice field today to get ready for Sunday’s playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have one of the top defenses in the NFL, allowing just 276 yards and 16 points a game. Quarterback Case Keenum has thrown 22 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions. Kick-off is at 3:40.

Still nothing official from LSU on the reported promotion of Steve Ensminger to offensive coordinator. Cornerback Donte Jackson has made it official. He will not return for his senior season. He’s one of the fastest players in college football.

Former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has been named the new D-C at Arkansas. The 61-year-old Chavis has spent the last 23 seasons as an assistant in the Southeastern Conference.

On Monday, Adrian Burnette was fired as the head coach of the Bastrop Rams. On Tuesday, he was re-hired. He led Bastrop to a 5-and-5 record last season.

The LSU men’s basketball team visits Arkansas tonight looking to keep the momentum going after a thrilling win over Texas A-and-M on Saturday. Freshman point guard Tremont Waters hit two long-range three-pointers in the final 12 seconds to give LSU a 69-68 win over the Aggies. Head Coach Will Wade says they can count on Waters to make the big plays….
cut 17 (17) “…often than not”
LSU has won two straight on the road and tip-off tonight from Bud Walton Arena is 8 PM.

The Pelicans are in Memphis tonight. Head Coach Alvin Gentry says it’s doubtful Anthony Davis will play after twisting his ankle in Monday night’s win over Detroit.

And last night. Tulane lost to Memphis 96-89, despite a career-high 28 points from Melvin Frazier. The Green Wave are 11-and-5 on the year.