Saints Coach Sean Payton says they are hopeful newly acquired cornerback Eli Apple will play in Sunday night’s game against Minnesota. Apple had highs and lows during his 2.5 seasons in New York, but Payton feels good about the trade after talking with players on their roster who played with Apple at Ohio State….
Cut 19 (15) “.with him”
It remains to be seen how much Apple plays against the Vikings. It’s the third meeting in 13 months between New Orleans and Minnesota. Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer joked he does not like preparing for an offense led by Drew Brees.
One of the Vikings top players on defense is former LSU star Danielle Hunter, who leads the team with 7.5 sacks.

Two Saints players missed practice yesterday, offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, who continues to grieve over the death of his young daughter and Max Unger has a hand injury.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said on the SEC teleconference either Patrick Queen or Micah Baskerville will fill in for Devin White during his first half suspension for the Alabama game. Orgeron says Jacob Phillips will make the calls and checks in White’s absence. Phillips says he’s ready for the extra responsibility…
Cut 17 (10) “to everybody”
Orgeron also says injured offensive guard Garrett Brumfield could be ready to play in the Alabama game.

Orgeron plans to head to Lake Charles this Saturday as his son, Cody Orgeron, could get the start at quarterback for the McNeese Cowboys. The Pokes are hosting Central Arkansas for homecoming. Both teams are 4-1 in the Southland.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron hopes the targeting call against Devin White will spark coaches in the offseason to review the rule and demand that officials have more leeway when determining the severity of a targeting penalty. In the meantime, he says either Micah Baskerville or Patrick Queen will start in the place of the suspended White…
Cut 20 (14) “man up”
Orgeron says he’s glad to see Governor Edwards and famous LSU alumnus James Carville speak out against the call against White.

And Billboards are up in Birmingham, Alabama, the home of the SEC headquarters, that read hashtag-free Devin White. LSU fans raised the money through a Go Fund Me Account.

The Pelicans are 3-0 after beating the Clippers 116 to 109 last night. Anthony Davis 34 points and 12 rebounds.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said on Sirius Radio this morning that newly acquired cornerback Eli Apple has a lot of upside. New Orleans sent a fourth round pick in 2019 and a seventh round pick in 2020 to New York to get the former first round pick.

Apple was labeled a cancer by his Giants teammate Landon Collins last December after the 2016 first round pick was suspended for the final game of the 2017 season for “conduct detrimental to the team.” NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Apple has had trouble adapting to the culture of the NFL after being drafted out of Ohio State.
Cut 17 (20) “Sean Payton”

There was speculation that the Saints would trade for former LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is suffering through a 1-6 season with the Arizona Cardinals. Peterson released a statement today that says he intends to give his all to the Cardinals organization for years to come.

Eli Apple is leaving the Big Apple for the Crescent City in a deal that sees New Orleans ship off a fourth and seventh round pick to pick up the troubled, but highly talented cornerback. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says Apple is a remarkably gifted athlete, but comes with some serious questions about his temperament.
Cut 16 (20) “.hard coaching”
Apple has played in five games this year, where he’s defended five passes but has yet to nab an interception.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron calls Devin White’s first-half suspension for targeting unfair, but they have to move forward. He says guard Garrett Brumfield is still at 60-percent as he comes back from an injury suffered a month ago.

The Pelicans didn’t play their best game last night, but they still defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 116 to 109 at the Smoothie King Center. The Pels shot just 43-percent from the field, 6-of-24 from three point territory, but played better defense in the second half. Anthony Davis had 34 points, while Elfird Payton had 20 points and his three-pointer with 52 seconds left, sealed the victory…
cut 30 (05) “…way to win”
The Pelicans will announce today that it’s G-League team will begin play next season in Birmingham, Alabama.

TCU has dismissed former Neville football star Kavontae Turpin from the team after he allegedly assaulted a woman. The victim says Turpin grabbed her and dragged her across a parking lot and slammed her to the ground during an argument.

Former LSU Quarterback Justin McMillan will get the start Saturday for Tulane as the Green Wave visits Tulsa. The Greenies are just 2-and-5 on the season.

LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says discussions with the SEC regarding Devin White’s first half-suspension for the Alabama game were amicable, but the suspension for targeting stands. Coach Ed Orgeron said today the suspension is unfortunate, but they’ve got to move on.

One of the items on the November sixth ballot asks voters if fantasy sports betting should be legal in their parish. Matt Doyle reports there’s a TV ad that supports the measure….
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The LSU Tigers begin the college basketball season ranked 23rd in the preseason AP poll. Javonte Smart from Baton Rouge is one of the new key newcomers. He was named Mr. Louisiana Basketball three consecutive seasons at Scotlandville High School and also won three state titles. Coach Will Wade says Smart is committed to becoming a great player…
cut 18 (19) “…the perimeter”
LSU opens the season November sixth at home against Southeastern Louisiana.

The Pelicans look to improve to 3-0 tonight as they host the Los Angles Clippers. The Clippers are 2-and-2 and they are coming off a 115 to 112 win over Houston. Nikola Mirotic has scored 66 points in the first two games for the Pels.

The Saints are a slight underdog heading into Sunday night’s clash with Minnesota. The Vikings beat the Black and Gold twice last season, including a heart breaking playoff loss. Coach Sean Payton says the revenge factor is overrated though…
cut 20 (19) “….last year”
New Orleans is 5-1 on the season, which is the second best record in the NFC.

Seven-time pro bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson has reportedly requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans is a preferred destination. But Coach Steve Wilks says they are not trading Peterson.

The LSU men’s basketball team is ranked 23rd in the preseason AP top 25 poll. It’s only the fourth time since 1992 that LSU enters the season ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Coach Will Wade says they can’t concern themselves with the preseason ranking…
Cut 17 (13) “than that”
Wade says junior college transfer Marlon Taylor has a broken finger and he’ll miss the next two to three weeks, but the coach hopes he’s ready for the regular season opener against Southeastern Louisiana on November sixth.

The Pelicans look to improve their record to 3-0 tonight when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans is averaging 140 points a game. Tip off is at seven o’ clock.

Just two weeks left in the regular season for high school football. De La Salle and Eunice have moved into the Top 10 in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A poll.

As expected, the SEC announced today the LSU-Alabama game on November 3rd will be a seven pm kick-off and it will be televised by CBS as the second game of their doubleheader that day. The Crimson Tide beat the Tigers by two touchdowns last year, but Coach Ed Orgeron says LSU is a much better team this year…
cut 18 (13) “….for the better”
But LSU will be without All-American linebacker Devin White for the first half, because of the targeting penalty called against him in the fourth quarter of the Mississippi State contest. LSU alumnus and professor James Carville says the botched targeting call on White benefits Alabama to the SEC’s delight and it’s unfair to LSU’s players
Cut 10 (14) “…lifetime”
It’s unlikely that the SEC will reverse its decision.

Drew Brees finally has a win over the Baltimore Ravens and it wasn’t easy. New Orleans trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter, but Brees led the Saints on two fourth quarter drives to take a 24-17 lead. The Ravens made it 24-23 with 24 seconds left, but Justin Tucker missed the extra point, the first ever in his NFL career and New Orleans held on for a one point win. Brees on the missed P-A-T….
cut 15 (10) “…about time”
The Saints next game is Sunday night in Minnesota.

In other NFL news…ESPN reports seven-time pro bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson has asked the Cardinals to trade him by the October 30th trade deadline. The Saints are reportedly interested in trading for a cornerback.

And the LSU men’s basketball team is ranked 23rd in the A-P preseason poll. It’s the first 13th time that LSU has been listed in the AP preseason poll and only fourth time since 1992.

Unless the SEC reconsiders the targeting penalty called on Devin White on Saturday, the all-american linebacker will have to sit the first half against top ranked Alabama on November 3rd. LSU fans are frustrated with the call and one of its most famous alumnus claims there’s collusion between the SEC and Alabama. Cornerback Kristian Fulton says it was a tough call on White, but they have to move on…
cut 17 (12) “…regular game”
LSU is looking for its first win over Alabama since 2011.

The Minnesota Vikings created a lot of heart ache for the Saints last season as they eliminated New Orleans from the playoffs. The Black and Gold get another crack at the Vikings this Sunday night. New Orleans won its fifth straight yesterday, a 24-23 come from behind win over the Ravens.

Despite throwing for 124 yards, ULM topped Texas State 20-14 for a homecoming win in Monroe on Saturday. Coach Matt Viator says the defense played great holding the Bobcats to 242 yards and limiting the visitors to just 2-of-13 on 3rd downs…
Cut 19 (19) “..offensively.”
The victory improves ULM’s record to 4-4 overall, 2-2 in the Sun Belt.

In other action on Saturday, Louisiana Tech topped UTEP 31-24. J’Mar Smith’s 43-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the difference.

U-L Lafayette fell to Appalachian state 27-17. Alcorn State scored a touchdown with 12 seconds left to beat Grambling State 33-26.

In the Southland, McNeese, Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana lost.

Down 10 points in the 4th quarter the Saints scored 17 consecutive points and held on for a 24-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens. New Orleans did a lot of things well to get the win, 4-for-5 on fourth down, only gave up two sacks to the the NFL leader in sacks and Quarterback Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes against the league’s top ranked defense. In the end, a missed extra point by Justin Tucker was the difference. Coach Sean Payton is happy with the win…
Cut 13 (14) “…good win.”
The Saints next game is Sunday night in Minnesota. The Vikings beat the Jets 37-17 on Sunday.

And the Saints still lead the Panthers by one game for first place in the NFC South. Carolina rallied from a 17 point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Eagles 21-17. Tampa Bay also a winner yesterday, 26-23 in overtime over Cleveland.

The LSU Tigers will head into its annual grudge match with top ranked Alabama with a 7-1 record, but they’ll start the game without star linebacker Devin White, who has to sit for the first half after he was flagged for targeting late in the 4th quarter in the win over Mississippi State. After the game, Coach Ed Orgeron says the bye week comes at a good time…
Cut 16 (16) “.somebody ready”

ULM is also entering the bye week after beating Texas State 20-14 for homecoming. The victory improves the Warhawks’ record to 4-4, 2-2 in the Sun Belt. Coach Matt Viator feels better about his team…
Cut 20 (12) “on track”
ULM’s hosts Georgia Southern on November 3rd.

Tonight in Tiger Stadium its 5th ranked LSU versus 22nd ranked Mississippi State. The Alabama game is looming on the schedule for the Bayou Bengals, but quarterback Joe Burrow says they can’t afford to look ahead…
cut 17 (18) “…ahead of us”
LSU got trounced by Mississippi State 37-7 last year in Starkville. For tonight’s game, defensive end Breiden Fehoko is questionable with a an undisclosed injury and true freshman Chasen Hines will start at left guard.

In other action today….Louisiana Tech hosts winless UTEP at 2:30 PM. The Ragin Cajuns are at Appalachian State. ULM can get back to the .500 mark with a win over Texas State.

Grambling and Alcorn State renew their rivalary in Dallas in a rematch of last year’s SWAC Title game, which was one by Grambling 40-32.

The game of the day in the Southland is sixth ranked McNeese at Incarnate Word, who is 3-1 in league play.

The Saints will face the NFL’s top ranked defense on Sunday when they visit the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore features one of the game’s best pass rushers, Terrell Suggs. Quarterback Drew Brees says the whole offense will be aware of where he lines up on the field…
cut 19 (18) “…for the game”
The Saints offensive line is banged up, guard Andrus Peat is out with a concussion and guard Larry Warford is questionable and so is Jermon Bushrod.

The Pelicans broke a franchise record last night for most points in a game as New Orleans dribbled past Sacramento 149 to 129. Nikola Mirotic had a career-high 36 points and Anthony Davis poured in 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Pels, who improved to 2-0 on the season. New Orleans will be back at home on Tuesday as they host the Clippers.

5th ranked LSU hosts 22nd ranked Mississippi State tomorrow night. The Alabama game is looming for the Bayou Bengals, but quarterback Joe Burrow says they can’t afford to look ahead…
cut 17 (18) “…ahead of us”
LSU got trounced by Mississippi State 37-7 last season in Starkville.

The Ragin Cajuns are 0-4 against Appalachian State and UL Lafayette gets another crack at them again this Saturday when they visit the Mountaineers. UL Lafayette has won two straight, while the Mountaineers have won four in a row. Kick-off is at 2:30.

Grambling visits the top team in the SWAC as they visit Alcorn State. Grambling quarterback Geremy Hickbottom has thrown six touchdown passes in his last two games.

The Saints are in Baltimore to face the Ravens on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees is well aware he’s never defeated the A-F-C North team in his Hall of Fame career…
cut 20 (17) “…those scores”
Brees will not have his top deep threat for at least the next two months. The Saints have placed receiver Ted Ginn Junior on injured reserve as he’s been battling a bad knee. Also, starting guards Andrus Peat and Larry Warford were not at practice yesterday and it’s unknown if they will play Sunday.

The Pelicans home opener is tonight as the Birds on the Bayou will host the Sacramento Kings. It will be a special game for Gretna native and former Ragin Cajun Elfrid Payton who will play his first game in the Smoothie King Center in a Pelicans uniform.