06:45 Sportscast, September 25th, 2017

A handful of Saints players chose to sit during the national anthem on Sunday before the game against the Panthers, and some fans are so upset they say they are boycotting the team and burning memorabilia. President Trump said the NFL should fire players who protest during the national anthem. Quarterback Drew Brees disagrees with Mr. Trump saying he believes it’s unbecoming of the office of President to say such things.

Meanwhile the The Saints put together one of their better performances in a long time as they defeated NFC South rival Carolina 34-13. Coach Sean Payton says the Black and Gold had a good week of practice and it showed in their performance on Sunday…:
Cut 18 (13) “get a win”
Brees threw three touchdown passes and the defense forced three turnovers and held a struggling Panthers offense to 288 total yards.

So does LSU have a quarterback controversy? Starter Danny Etling was 10-of-17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, but freshman Myles Brennan entered the game in the third and led the Tigers on a touchdown drive, but he also threw an interception. Head Coach Ed Orgeron on why he put Brennan in the game…:
Cut 16 (16) “on the line”
The two quarterbacks did enough good things to help the Tigers beat Syracuse 35-26, as LSU improved to 3-1.

In the Sun Belt, ULM Quarterback Caleb Evans accounted for 472 total yards and six touchdowns to lead the Warhawks to a 56-50 double overtime win over UL-Lafayette.

They put together an impressive effort, but a late field goal lifted South Carolina to a win over Louisiana Tech Saturday, 17-16.

Playing as a ranked team for the first time in 10 years, Nicholls struggled against top-5 Sam Houston State as the Colonels feel 66-17.

 

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 22nd

LSU is a three touchdown favorite to beat Syracuse on Saturday night. The Orange has victories over Central Connecticut State and Central Michigan and a touchdown loss to Middle Tennessee. Dino Babers is in his second season as Syracuse’s head coach and Orgeron says they have a talented quarterback by the name of Eric Dungey….
cut 17 (20) “…a battle”
After first saying he will not play, Coach “O” says Derrius Guice will suit up tomorrow, but safety Ed Paris suffered a knee injury in practice and is expected to miss a significant amount of time.

And the Saints say cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Sterling Moore will not play Sunday against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

Skip Holtz and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs visit South Carolina on Saturday in a match-up of two and one teams. Holtz’s father coached at South Carolina and in the early 2000s Skip served as offensive coordinator for the Gamecocks.

In other action on Saturday…ULM and UL Lafayette meet in the Sun Belt Opener for both teams at Cajun Field. The Ragin Cajuns have won eight of the last ten meetings.

Tulane hosts Army. Nicholls State is at Sam Houston for a six o’ clock game in Huntsville, Texas. McNeese State hosts Houston Baptist in the first ever meeting between the two teams, Lamar takes on Southeastern Louisiana. And in the SWAC…Southern is at Alcorn State, while Grambling visits Mississippi Valley State.

And in college baseball news…Southeastern Louisiana head baseball coach Matt Riser has signed a new three-year contract. Riser will begin his fifth season as the Lions head coach next year and he’s already directed S-L-U to three NCAA regional appearances.

11:40 LRN Sportscasts September 22nd

The Saints look for their first win of the year on Sunday when they visit Carolina. The Panthers are 2-and-0 and they rank number one in the NFL in total defense, allowing less than 200 yards a game. Quarterback Drew Brees says Carolina’s defense looks very good on film
Cut 19 (22) sound defense“
It’s unclear who will start at cornerback for the Saints. Rookie starter Marshon Lattimore is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and veteran Sterling Moore has been limited this week by a chest injury. Panthers QB Cam Newton has also been limited, but expected to start Sunday.

LSU looks to get back on track on Saturday when the Tigers host Syracuse. The Bayou Bengals allowed over 400 yards of total offense in last week’s blowout loss to Mississippi State. Syracuse is averaging 491-yards per game. Tigers cornerback Donte Jackson says the defense is ready for the challenge…
cut 18 (15) “….big plays”
LSU will be without veteran defensive back Ed Paris. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Paris suffered what looks to be a serious knee injury in practice this week. But running back Derrius Guice is expected to play tomorrow, after he was ruled out earlier this week because of an unknown injury.

Here are your big games in high school football tonight…Evangel at Parkway, LaSalle hosts Montgomery and Catholic High of New Iberia is at Notre Dame.

06:45 LRN Sportscast September 22nd

The Saints head to Carolina this Sunday looking for a rare win in September. Many in the who dat nation are ready to give up on this season after another 0-2 start, but Quarterback Drew Brees believes in his team…
cut 20 (20) “…this week”
The Saints have the number two pass offense in the NFL, but the Panthers have the league’s number two pass defense. Kick-off is at noon.

ULM heads to Lafayette today for its matchup against the Ragin Cajuns on Saturday at 4 PM. UL Lafayette leads the all-time series 28-24 and has won three in a row and eight of the last 10 meetings.

Louisiana Tech gets another shot at an SEC team as the Bulldogs visit South Carolina.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron is promising a better performance on Saturday night when his Tigers host Syracuse. The Bayou Bengals suffered their worst loss ever to Mississippi State last week in a 37-7 drubbing. Orgeron says he’s on a mission for his team to play better
Cut 16 (16) “get it fixed”
And one day after saying he won’t play, Orgeron now says running back Derrius Guice will play. But Coach O says safety Ed Paris has suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury.

A study by offers-dot-com finds Louisiana ranking seventh in the country for dinking the most alcohol at tailgates, averaging four drinks per tailgate. Spokeswoman Carson Yarbrough….
cut 4 (05) “…tailgaiting activites”
South Dakota and Connecticut came in at number one when it comes to average number of drinks per tailgate.

LRN AM Newscall September 22

The Governor and First Lady are encouraging K-through-12 schools to participate in Breakfast Challenge. Michael Farrar has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

______________________________________

The Slidell Police Department is mourning the death of a longtime officer. Michael Farrar has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

______________________________________

The pumpkin spice craze is in full swing as it around this time every year, and experts say there’s a little bit of science behind your autumn craving. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

___________________________________________________

A survey by Offers.com took a look at the top tailgating trends around the country, and found that Louisiana ranks #7 for drinking the most alcohol on game days. Spokeswoman Carson Yarbrough says they also found tailgating fans in Sportsman’s Paradise prefer burgers, while most Americans prefer wings…:

Cut 4  (05) “tailgating activities”

Yarbrough says the average tailgater in Louisiana consumes an average of 4 alcoholic beverages per game. She says 53% of Americans prefer watching NFL games at home, and 60.5% would rather tailgate at a college game…:

Cut 5  (06)  “down there”

Yarbrough says the states that drink more than Louisiana at tailgates are South Dakota, Connecticut, Deleware, Oklahoma, Idaho and Nevada. She says not only do Louisianians like to live it up at the tailgate, fans also go to the games…:

Cut 6 (05) “in the action”

________________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards encourages schools to participate in the school breakfast challenge to help reduce childhood hunger. Donna Edwards says schools that take action and make sure kids eat breakfast can win up to one-thousand dollars in cash and other great prizes…

Cut 7 (10)  “this program”

Edwards says research shows one in four children in Louisiana struggles with hunger. The First Lady knows as a former teacher that if children have a healthy start to their day, it will lead to better results in the classroom…

Cut 8 (08) “so important”

Schools can register online at Louisiana-school-breakfast-dot-org. Edwards says the Breakfast Challenge is part of the No Kid Hungry Louisiana Initiative. The First Lady says a pilot program started in Orleans Parish in 2010 and there has been a 60-percent increase in school breakfast participation rates….

Cut 9 (10)  “they eat”

____________________________________________________

The state department of transportation is hopeful that the major overlay project on I-20 in Webster Parish will wrap around the Thanksgiving weekend, which would be ahead of schedule. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the westbound lanes are complete and contractors are working in the eastbound lanes….

Cut 10 (10)     that sort of thing”

The 29-million dollar project to improve nearly 10-miles of interstate began in January. Buchanan says crews removed the surface of existing pavement, which is called cold plane….

Cut 11 (12) “of the roadway”

Buchanan says once the work is complete, motorists will experience a greatly improved travel experience for this section of I-20…

Cut 12 (08) “very soon”

__________________________________________________________

The pumpkin spice craze is in full swing as it around this time every year, and experts say there is science behind your autumn craving. Dr. Michelle Moore is a psychologist at LSU Health New Orleans, and she says people have natural reactions to certain scents, and your brain gets triggered to certain memories…:

Cut 13 (09) “happy memories”

Moore says when fall rolls around and leaves fall off the trees, people connect the cooler weather with all sorts of positive things, which is what makes them want pumpkin spice. She says the other phenomenon that’s occurring, is that pumpkin spice is very trendy…:

Cut 14 (11) “societal trend”

Starbucks first developed its pumpkin spice latte in 2003, and the craze has spread to all sorts of other seasonal products. Moore says when something like this takes on a life of its own, everyone wants in on the action…:

Cut 15 (09) “pumpkin spice”

____________________________________________

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron is promising a better performance on Saturday night when his Tigers host Syracuse. The Bayou Bengals suffered their worst loss ever to Mississippi State last week in a 37-7 drubbing. Orgeron says he’s on a mission for his team to play better

Cut 16  (16)  “get it fixed”

LSU is a 22.5 point favorite to beat Syracuse, who has victories over Central Connecticut State and Central Michigan, but a touchdown loss to Middle Tennessee. Dino Babers is in his second season at head coach and Orgeron says they have a talented quarterback by the name of Eric Dungey…

Cut 17 (20)  “a battle”

LSU allowed over 400 yards of total offense in the loss to Mississippi State. This Syracuse team is averaging 491 yards per game. Tigers cornerback Donte Jackson says the defense is ready for the challenge….

Cut 18 (15) “big plays” 

_______________________________________________________________

The Saints look for their first win of the year on Sunday when they visit Carolina. The Panthers are 2-and-0 and they rank number one in the NFL in total defense, allowing less than 200 yards a game. Quarterback Drew Brees says Carolina’s defense looks very good on film

Cut 19 (22)   sound defense“

Frustration level among Saints fans is probably the highest it’s been since Head Coach Sean Payton and Brees arrived. Brees says this is a team that believes in itself and is ready to get into the win column

cut 20 (20)  “this week” 

16:45 LRN sportscast September 21

LSU Running back Derrius Guice will not play Saturday night against Syracuse. But there is some positive injury news. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says starting defensive end Rashard Lawerence should play against the Orange. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the former Neville star’s return to the field is critical….
cut 17 (16) “….thin at”
True freshman Tyler Taylor is also expected to start for the Tigers. He’ll replace Donnie Alexander, who is suspended for the first half of Saturday’s game, because he committed a targeting penalty against Mississippi State Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald.

On today’s Saints injury report, cornerback Sterling Moore was upgraded to limited participation so he might be able to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Moore is dealing with a chest injury. Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and did not practice, the same goes for Zach Strief and Terron Armstead. Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton was limted at practice as well, because of injuries to his right shoulder and ankle.

Louisiana Tech is getting ready to play South Carolina. The Bulldogs are coming off a come from behind win over conference rival Western Kentucky, while the Gamecocks are trying to bounce back from a homeloss to Kentucky. South Carolina struggled to run the ball last week, only 54 yards rushing.

Southeastern Louisiana looks for its first win of the year on Saturday when they host Lamar at Strawberry Stadium. Lions Coach Ron Roberts is hopeful Lorenzo Nunuz can start at quarterback. He’s seen limited action the last two weeks because of a knee injury.

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 21

The LSU football team looks to bounce back this week after losing by 30 points to Mississippi State last Saturday. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran expects the Tigers to bounce back this Saturday and they performed well last season after losses with Ed Orgeron at the helm….
cut 18 (14) “…as a coach”
Orgeron said on his weekly call-in radio show last night that running back Derrius Guice will not play, because of an injury. But defensive end Rashard Lawrence could see a few snaps after missing the last two games.

Despite the 0-2 start, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has faith the Black and Gold can turn it around. So far the defense has struggled and the offense is not clicking either. Through two games, the Saints have converted just 35-percent of their third down opportunities. New Orleans is at Carolina this Sunday.

The big matchup in the Southland Conference this week is Nicholls at Sam Houston State. The Colonels already have a victory in league play when they defeated McNeese State in the season opener. The Bearkats are the defending league champs and they are ranked third in the FCS.

McNeese goes after its first Southland Conference win when they host Houston Baptist on Saturday night. Cowboys Coach Lance Guidry likes how some of the young players are stepping up. Freshman wide receiver Cyron Sutton had a touchdown catch last week against Alcorn State and sophomore Calum Foster had a key interception.

Southeastern Louisiana looks for its first win of the year on Saturday when they host Lamar at Strawberry Stadium. Lions Coach Ron Roberts is hopeful Lorenzo Nunuz can start at quarterback. He’s seen limited action the last two weeks because of a knee injury.

In the SWAC…both Southern and Grambling are on the road this Saturday. The Jaguars are at Alcorn State and the Tigers are Mississippi Valley State.

The Cajuns are a 6.5 point favorite to beat the Warhawks, while the Louisiana Tech is about a touchdown down against South Carolina.

06:45 Sportscast, September 21st, 2017

More rough news for LSU. Coach Ed Orgeron says star running back Derrius Guice will not play in Saturday’s home game against Syracuse. Guice reportedly has a knee injury. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran believes LSU is being cautious with its best offensive player, and this will give senior Darrell Williams a chance to start…:
Cut 16 (15) “of carries”
LSU is coming off an embarassing 30 point loss to Mississippi State, but Moran expects the Tigers to bounce back this Saturday and they performed well last season after losses with Orgeron at the helm.

The LSU baseball team is No. 5 in the 2017 Collegiate Baseball magazine recruiting rankings released on Wednesday. This is the 10th time in 11 years the Tigers are in the Top 10 of the survey. The 18-man recruiting class includes 11 pitchers and seven position players.

The 0-2 Saints are set to face the 2-0 Carolina Panthers this Sunday at noon. Saints quarterback Drew Brees says he’s confident the team can turn things around, as they’ve missed cues so far this season by only a small margin.
CUT 25 (15) “to make the play”
The Saints have only been able to convert on just 34.8 percent of its third-down attempts through the two games this season.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was not at practice Wednesday during the portion that was viewed by the media. It’s been reported Lattimore suffered a concussion. There’s also a report that vetern cornerback Sterling Moore suffered a pectoral injury and is expected to miss several weeks.

 

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 20

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says running back Derrius Guice is questionable for Saturday’s home game against Syracuse. Guice is reportedly dealing with a knee injury. Guice did not play in the fourth quarter in the loss to Mississippi State and he did not practice with the team yesterday.

The Warhawks and the Cajuns meet this Saturday in the Sun Belt opener for both teams. Usually these in-state foes meet at the end of the season. Coach Mark Hudspeth says since it is the league opener, the stakes are higher for this year’s match-up….
cut 17 (18) “…late in the season”
And there are reports former Ragin Cajun, Charles Tillman, is in Quantico, Virginia and is training to join the FBI.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was not at practice today during the portion that was viewed by the media. It’s been reported Lattimore sufffered a concussion. There’s also a report that vetern cornerback Sterling Moore suffered a pectoral muscile and is expected to miss several weeks.

Nicholls State is ranked in the FCS rankings for the first time since 2007, but will they stay in the Top 25 as they visit third ranked Sam Houston State this Saturday. Last year, Sam Houston beat Nicholls 38-21 in Thibodaux. Head Coach Tim Rebowe says Bearkats quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe is a major concern…
cut 19 (20) “…the ball”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 20

After LSU’s 30-point loss to Mississippi State last Saturday, some are wondering if Head Coach Ed Orgeron is the right man for the job. But Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says one thing to keep in mind is that Athletic Director Joe Alleva’s fate lies with the Board of Supervisors…:
Cut 4 (10) “do that”

For the first time since 2007, Nicholls State is rankedl. The Colonels come in at number 23 in the FCS Coaches Poll. Head Coach Tim Rebowe says it’s a nice honor, but he’s more concerned about playing defending Southland champion Sam Houston state this Saturday….
Cut 18 (13) “mean anything”

The Warhawks and Ragin Cajuns renew their rivalry this Saturday as they face each other in Lafayette. ULM Head Coach Matt Viator is impressed with UL-Lafayette’s offense, which is averaging 38 points a game and led by quarterback Jordan Davis….
Cut 16 (15) “making plays”

The Saints have traded linebacker Stephone Anthony to the Miami Dolphins. According to the NFL Network, New Orleans will receive a fifth round selection in next year’s draft. Anthony was drafted in the first round in 2015. New Orleans used the pick they got from Seattle in the Jimmy Graham trade.

And the Pelicans have re-signed veteran forward Dante Cunningham, who was a 39-percent three-point shooter last season.