The Saints can take another big step towards clinching an NFC South championship, when they visit the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Defensive end Cameron Jordan says after completing the season sweep over Carolina by beating the Panthers on Sunday, the team has even bigger goals for this season…:
Cut 16 (09) “keep going”
The Saints are 9-3, one game ahead of Carolina in the division standings and the Falcons are two games back.

Last night the Warriors rallied past the Pelicans in New Orleans, 125-115. Jrue Holiday scored 34 for the Pels, and E’Twaun Moore had a career-high 27 points. DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Durant both received their second technical fouls of the game when bickering in the final minutes and were both ejected. Cousins is up to seven technical fouls for the season.

The NFL has suspended New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski one game on for a late hit to the head of Bills defensive back and former LSU Tiger Tre’Davious White.

Louisiana Tech is heading to a bowl game for a fourth consecutive season as they’ll play SMU in the first ever Frisco Bowl on December 20th in Frisco, Texas. Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz says they look forward to the matchup against the 7-5 Mustangs…:
Cut 19 (14) “really excited about”
SMU is led by third-year head coach Chad Morris, who went just 2-10 in his first season.

Six LSU Tigers made the 2017 Associated Press ALL SEC Football team. Star running back Derrius Guice was a second-team selection, and sent out a Tweet saying he thought it was a joke. Junior center Will Clapp was the lone Tiger named to the All-SEC Offense First Team. Linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams are also on the first team.

The Black and Gold Nation is fired up today after the Saints nice 31-21 win over the Panthers on Sunday. The Atlanta Falcons also lost, so now New Orleans has a one-game lead over the Panthers and a two-game lead over the Dirty Birds for the division lead. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 269 yards and one touchdown in the victory…:
Cut 18 (18) “front of us”
Rookie Alvin Kamara had another big game, 66 yards receiving on five catches and he also carried the ball nine times for 60 yards and had two rushing touchdowns.

ESPN is reporting New Orleans Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis won’t play tonight against the Golden State Warriors because of a left pelvis injury. Davis also missed Saturday’s game when the Pels beat the Trail Blazers 123-116. DeMarcus Cousins led the team with a game-high 38 points.

LSU is headed to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando for the second straight year. On New Years Day The Tigers will take on Notre Dame who is led by running back Josh Adams with over 13-hundred yards and seven yards a carry. LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron says he’ll get to know Adams over the next month…:
Cut 16 (11) “ought to be”
Last year the Tigers trounced Louisville 29-9 in the Citrus.

Grambling will play in the Celebration Bowl on December 16th versus North Carolina A&T. Louisiana Tech will play in the Frisco bowl against SMU on December 20th.

UL Lafayette has fired head coach Mark Hudspeth. Athletic Director Bryan Maggard says the next leader of the Ragin Cajuns football team needs to recruit Louisiana well and must be a proven winner..:
Cut 14 (10) “win championships”

The Saints regained control of the NFC South with a convincing 31-21 win over the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Drew Brees is happy about the win, but says there’s still room to improve..:
cut 20 (17) those things”
The Atlanta Falcons also lost, so now New Orleans has a one-game lead over the Panthers and a two-game lead over the Dirty Birds for the division lead.

After a third consecutive losing season, UL Lafayette has fired head coach Mark Hudspeth. Athletic Director Bryan Maggard informed Hudspeth of his decision Sunday morning following the team’s 63-14 loss to Appalachian State:
Cut 13 (10) “our program”

We found out bowl games on Sunday, and the LSU Tigers will be in the Citrus Bowl for the second straight year..taking on Notre Dame New Years Day at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is excited..:
Cut 15 (09) “matchup”
Both LSU and Notre Dame are 9-3.

There may have been some controversy over Alabama getting the nod over Ohio State to play in the College Football Playoff, but New Orleans is thrilled about getting a Crimson Tide versus Clemson matchup in the Sugar Bowl.

On Saturday, Grambling won their second consecutive championship and 8th overall in the SWAC with a 40-32 victory over Alcorn State. The Tigers will play in the Celebration Bowl on December 16th versus North Carolina A&T.

Louisiana Tech keeps its bowl streak alive after it was announced the Bulldogs will play in the Frisco bowl against SMU on December 20th.

In Shreveport, the Walk On’s Independence Bowl will feature Southern Miss and Florida State on December 27th.

Troy and North Texas will play in the R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on December 16 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore practiced on a limited basis yesterday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Cornerback P-J Williams and left tackle Terron Armstead are also questionable, while safety Marcus Williams and Coby Fleener are out.

Today in college football…ULM will visit Florida State, who will not have Jimbo Fisher on the sidelines as their head coach. Fisher is the new head coach at Texas A-and-M. UL Lafayette is at Appalachian State. The Cajuns need to win to become bowl eligible and Grambling faces Alcorn in the SWAC title game for a third straight season.

The Grambling men’s basketball team upset Georigia Tech 64-63 last night. The Yellow Jackets actually tipped in the winning basket trying to grab a defensive rebound. Johnathan Stove had 23 points as the Cajuns beat Nicholls 105-80 and the Pelicans Anthony Davis went down with a groin injury in a 114 to 108 loss to Utah.

There were some thrilling games in high school football last night. In Class 5-A, Zachary upset top-seeded and undefeated West Monroe 29-27. The Broncos stopped the Rebels from scoring a two-point conversion to tie the game with 28 seconds left. Zachary will face Hahnville, who beat Acadiana in overtime 43-42. Pooka Williams rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a two-point conversion to win the game.

In Four-A, Karr and Lakeshore advanced to the Title game. In Three-A, West Feliciana is heading to the Dome for the first time as they defeated Jennings 45-26. The sixth-seeded Saints will face 8th seeded Richwood who beat Kaplan 15-8. An Anthony Watson two-yard touchdown run was the winning score.

In Two-A, St. Helena scored a touchdown on the final play of the game to beat Ferriday 12-6 and the Hawks will face top-seed Welsh who was victorious over Many 28-18.

And in One-A, Kentwood beat Oak Grove 19-7, while West St. John knocked off defending champion Logansport 34-18.

The Panthers will bring a four-game winning streak into the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Sunday as New Orleans battles Carolina in a matchup of the top two teams in the NFC South. When Cam Newton plays good, the Panthers offense excels. Saints linebacker A-J Klein says it’s important to keep Newton in the pocket…
cut 18 (19) “….harder to stop ”
Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

Tonight is the semi-finals of the high school football playofs on the non-select side, undefeated West Monroe hosts Zachary. Lakeshore is also undefeated and seeking it’s first trip to the Dome, they’ll take on Rayne.

It’s official; Jimbo Fisher has left Florida State to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M, and will be on the sidelines for FSU’s game against ULM Saturday. So what does this mean for LSU now that he’s in the SEC West? College football analyst Mike Detillier says Fisher knows how to develop quarterbacks…:
Cut 13 (11) “National Football League”
Fisher will reportedly receive 7.5 million dollars over a 10-year contract.

In other SEC news….Tennessee athletic director John Currie is out as the Vols search for a football coach has been a trainwreck. Former Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer will serve as acting athletic director.

In baskeball tonight…the Pelicans visit the Utah Jazz. Tomorrow night, New Orleans is in Portland and there’s a battle on the bayou tonight as Nicholls State hosts the Ragin Cajuns.

The top game in the NFL this Sunday is the Saints versus the Panthers. The two teams are tied for first place in the NFC South, with a record of 8-3. Atlanta is one game back at 7-4. After Sunday’s game against Carolina, the Black and Gold will play the Falcons twice in a three week period. Quarterback Drew Brees is excited to see how his team handles the next month…
Cut 17 (08) “best football.”
The Falcons also have a big game as they host the 9-and-2 Vikings.

There are some great high school football games tonight as its the non-select semi-final playoffs. In One-A, Kentwood travels to northeast Louisiana to face Oak Grove in a matchup of two teams who are 12-and-1. In three-A, Kaplan hosts Richwood in a semifinal contest. Both teams are 10-3. In Four-A, undefeated Lakeshore hosts Rayne and and in Five-A, Zachary is at unbeaten West Monroe.

Ole Miss is not going to a bowl game this year and they will not be able to play in one next season and they’ll also have a reduction of scholarships as a result of NCAA penalties that were handed down today against the school. The Rebels were accused of 15 Level One violations as the NCAA investigation determined boosters providing recruits and players with improper benefits.

And the situation continues to get more crazy in Tennessee as athletics director John Currie has been fired after spending eight months on the job. Currie was reportedly set to hire Washington State head coach Mike Leach, but former head coach Phillip Fulmer apparently has been sabotaging the search process in the hopes of becomes the school’s next A-D.

An Associated Press Source says they expect Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher will leave for Texas A-and-M. The ULM Warhawks visit the Seminoles tomorrow in what is expected to be Fisher’s last game in Tallahasse.

First place in the NFC South is on the line Sunday afternoon in the Mercedes Benz Superdome as the Saints host the Carolina Panthers. Both teams are 8-3. New Orleans is coming off a loss that ended their eight-game winning streak. Quarterback Drew Brees says they plan to play their best game of the season:
Cut 16 (14) “important game”
Atlanta is just one game back of the Panthers and Saints in the division standings. Star rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice Thursday. Sources say offensive tackle Zach Strief will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month. And running back Alvin Kamara has been named NFL offensive rookie of the month.

Tonight is the semi-finals on the non-select of the LHSAA playoffs…..in class one-A there’s a great battle in northeast Louisiana as Oak Grove hosts Kentwood. The Tigers are looking for their first state title since 2001, while the Kangaroos won two years ago. The winner will play the winner between top seeded West St John and defending champ Logansport. In Two-A…top seeded Welsh, led by quarterback Zach Hayes hosts the Many Tigers, who feature UCLA commit AJ Carter at running back. On the other side of the Two-a bracket its second-seeded Ferriday, who hasn’t won a title since 1956 hosting St. Helena, who has reached the semifinals for a second season.

The New Orleans Pelicans will look to overcome some recent adversity as they travel to face the Jazz tonight in Utah.

A year after turning down a job at LSU, the AP is reporting that Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher will likely leave the Seminoles for Texas A&M.

Several reports indicate Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Strief went on injured reserve after going down in the game in London against the Miami Dolphins. He reportedly had surgery two weeks ago to repair his A-C-L and M-C-L.

In other Saints news, defensive back Ken Crawley is expected to play this Sunday against Carolina, but rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice today

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month. Jordan had 4.5 sacks in November. And running back Alvin Kamara has been named NFL offensive rookie of the month.

The top defensive back in the state is uncommitted with the new early signing period for college football fast approaching. This year recruits can sign on December 20th. Geaux 24-7 sports Billy Embody believes Scotlandville’s Kelvin Joseph will stay in town to play at LSU, especially since his good friend will play basketball for the Tigers
cut 20 (12) he signed”

Pelicans forward Anthony Davis was ejected from a game for the first time in his NBA career last night, in New Orleans’ loss to Minnesota 120-102. The Pels were seeking their 12th win of the season, but the 120 points mark the 9th time in the last 11 games New Orleans has allowed more than 100 points in a game. Davis was ejected after he complained about a questionable foul call in the second quarter.

LSU reportedly had in-home visit with the state’s top high school football prospect, Parkway wide receiver Terrace Marshall. The five-star recruit also visited campus this past weekend. Billy Embody with Geaux 24-7 sports says the Tigers are in a good position to sign Marshall..:
Cut 18 (14) “early signing period”
Texas A-and-M and Florida State are also in hot pursuit of Marshall.

La Tech is 6 and 6 and waiting for a bowl game invite. 79 Division One programs are bowl eligible for only 78 spots. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland hopes their strength of schedule gives them an edge over the other .500 teams…:
Cut 16 (18) “remarkable feat”
Three of the Bulldogs’ losses were by one point and they lost in overtime to Southern Miss.

In college hoops… LSU won for the third time on their home floor and head to the semester final exam break after an 84-60 victory over UT Martin Wednesday night.

No. 24 Alabama had a come from behind victory over Louisiana Tech last night, 77-74. The Crimson Tide overcame an 11-point deficit over the last 14 minutes and held off the previously unbeaten Bulldogs.

NFL and college football analyst Mike Detilier believes offensive coordinator Matt Canada has coached his last game at LSU. Detillier says Canada would like to get a head coaching gig, plus he believes Ed Orgeron is not that excited about Canada’s offense. If Canada is not here for the bowl game. Detillier expects Coach O will call on tight ends coach Steve Ensminger to serve as O-C for the bowl game, but he’ll need to find someone else to call plays in 2018….
cut 20 (17) “….pressure cooker before”

Meanwhile, Mississippi State has hired Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead as the Bulldogs new head coach. The 44-year-old is known for his creative offenses.

For the third straight year, Grambling and Alcorn State will meet in the SWAC Title game. Two years ago, Alcorn State beat Grambling in the SWAC title game, but the G-Men returned the favor last year with a 27-20 win over the Braves. Tigers Coach Broderick Fobbs expects another tight contest…
cut 27 (20) “…pressure cooker”
Kick-off on Saturday in Houston is at 3:30 PM.

There is good news regarding Saints injuries. Cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley were both seen at practice today during the portion that can be viewed by the media. They both missed last Sunday’s loss to the Rams. This Sunday the Saints host the Rams.