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.

When the Saints face the Vikings on Sunday. It will be the second meeting this season between the two teams. Minnesota defeated New Orleans 29-19 in Week One on a Monday night. Coach Sean Payton says both teams are much different now…
cut 18 (19) “….done that”
Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook made up the Vikings backfield in the regular season opener and now it features quarterback Case Keenum and running backs Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray.

Multiple reports say Steve Ensminger will be named LSU’s new offensive coordinator. Ensminger served as an interim offensive coordinator eight games last season after the firing of Les Miles. He’s served as tight ends coach at LSU the last several years.

After beating the Pistons 112 to 109 last night, New Orleans heads to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies tomorrow night. Anthony Davis had 30 points in last night’s win over Detroit, but left in the second half with an ankle injury. Coach Alvin Gentry said today it’s doubhtful A-D will play tomorrow night.

In college hoops last night, Jackson State went to Baton Rouge and edged Southern 65-61 despite 22 points from Jared Sam, while Grambling beat Alcorn State 72-61. Southern and Grambling are 1-3 in league play.

Tonight, Tulane takes on Memphis at 6 PM. The Green Wave have won four of their last five.

In college baseball…Perfect Game announced it’s preseason All-American team today and Southeastern Louisiana third baseman Taylor Schwaner and LSU center fielder Zach Watson landed on the third-team.

Tiger Rag Magazine reports catcher Mason Doolittle has left the LSU baseball program. He was expected to compete for a starting role, but Coach Paul Mainieri says Hunter Feduccia has won that job.

Nick Saban won his sixth national championship last night as Alabama rallied to beat Georgia 26-23 in overtime. Saban’s decision to bench an ineffective Jalen Hurts for Tua Tagovailoa paid off as the freshman from Hawaii threw three touchdown passes, including the game winner to Devonta Smith, a former standout at Amite High School.

LSU is reportedly close to naming Steve Ensminger as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Ensminger has been the Tigers tight ends coach for a number of years and served as interim offensive coordinator in 2016 after Les Miles and Cam Cameron were fired. LSU averaged 41 points a game in six victories with Ensminger calling plays, but didn’t do much in losses versus to Alabama and Florida.

And former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has found another job in the SEC. Arkansas has hired Chavis, after he failed to get Texas A-and-M’s defense among the best in the SEC the last two seasons.

The Saints coaching staff is developing a game plan to beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The two teams met in the regular season opener, Minnesota won 29-19. Head Sean Payton says there are many reasons why the Vikings finished with the second best record in the NFC…
cut 17 (20) “…the season”
The Saints defense gave up 470 yards in that first meeting. And Minnesota has a different quarterback. Case Keenum has led Minnesota to a 13-3 record.

In the NBA last night, the Pelicans edged the Pistons 112 to 109. Anthony Davis had 30 points, before leaving the game in the third quarter, because of an ankle injury. New Orleans is at Memphis tomorrow.

And LSU has moved up about 40 spots in the RPI rankings after beating Texas A-and-M on Saturday. The Tigers visit Arkansas tomorrow.

Alabama ended up creeping back up on Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game last night, and rallied to a 26-23 win after Amite grad Devonta Smith caught the winning pass for the Crimson Tide in overtime. Alabama Coach Nick Saban now has six major poll natties, including one at LSU.

There are reports indicating LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is going to name Steve Ensminger as offensive coordinator for the Tigers. Coach O had previously expressed interest in expanding the role of the longtime assistant, though the move is not final yet and is not being confirmed by LSU.

LSU is losing junior defensive back Kevin Toliver to the 2018 NFL Draft, and right tackle Toby Weathersby. Each announced their plans to forgo their senior seasons with the Tigers on MOnday. They join edge rusher Arden Key as LSU underclassmen who have declared for the draft. Key announced his news last week and said Monday he’d partnered with CAA, an agency that represents numerous NFL players.

Saints Coach Sean Payton’s dance moves following Sunday’s playoff win over Carolina have made the rounds on social media. Rookie running back Alvin Kamara filmed Payton and the rest of the team getting down in the locker room. Linebacker Manti Te’o says it was a great moment for the entire team:
Cut 16 (21) dance floor though”
New Orleans will face the Vikings on Sunday at 3:40 pm in the NFC divisional playoffs.

In the NBA, the Pelicans started strong and ended up with the win over the Pistons last night, 112-109.

Monday, LSU point guard Tremont Waters was named the SEC freshman of the week for the second time this season.

The Saints completed the sweep of Carolina as they defeated the Panthers 31-26 for a third time this season and advance to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. New Orleans couldn’t get its running game going, but hall of fame quarterback Drew Brees threw for 376 yards and two touchdowns and the Saints defense kept Carolina out of the end zone in the final seconds. Head Coach Sean Payton also gives credit to the Who Dat Nation for bringing the noise during the game…
cut 18 (19) “….formations”
Up next for the Saints, they’ll play the Minnesota Vikings at 3:40 on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota beat New Orleans in the regular season opener 29-19.

The search is on for a new offensive coordinator at LSU now that Head Coach Ed Orgeron and Matt Canada have split ways after just one season. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says is a very important hire for Orgeron, because if he misfires again, it could mean the end of his tenure at LSU…
cut 6 (05) “…third chance”
Orgeron says he’s looking for someone that has a wealth of experience that is totally committed to the vision of the program and has the drive to do whatever it takes to see it through.

Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson has been named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-American team. Robertson had a team-high five interceptions during the 2017.

In basketball…LSU’s Tramont Waters has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The point guard from Connecticut knocked down a miraculous shot to upset Texas A-and-M on Saturday.

In the NBA…the 19-and-19 Pelicans host the Detroit Pistons tonight.

The Saints are moving on in the playoffs after beating the Carolina Panthers 31-26 in front of a raucous Superdome crowd. New Orleans defense came up with a big stand in the final minute of the game and Drew Brees threw for 376 yards and two touchdowns…:
Cut 16 (19) make em”
The Saints will now head to Minnesota Sunday to take on the Vikings for a trip to the NFC Championship.

Two SEC teams will face off tonight in the College Football Playoff national championship game. Alabama is back in the big contest for a third straight season, and will kick off against Georgia in the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta around 7:30. President Donald Trump is expected to attend.

In men’s hoops, LSU got past No. 11 Texas A&M 69-68 on the road Saturday following two Termont Waters 3-pointers in the final 12.4 seconds.

Nicholls beat Houston Baptist 72-71 on Saturday night. UL-Lafayette picked up an 81-64 victory over Coastal Carolina. Louisiana Tech finally broke into the Conference USA win column by holding off UTEP 97-88. Southern picked up its first conference win, beating Grambling 80-69. Stephen F. Austin beat Northwestern State 64-56. Southeastern stayed undefeated in the Southland with a 72-70 win over Abilene Christian.

In the NBA, Minnesota cruised past New Orleans 116-98 over the weekend. The Pelicans host Detroit tonight.

LSU athletics reportedly paid 1.7 million dollars to buy out the final two years of Matt Canada’s contract. So the search is on for a new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham believes Athletics Director Joe Alleva is willing to spend a lot on a new play caller..:
Cut 4 (09) “your coordinators”
He says this is a very important hire for Orgeron, because if he misfires again, it could mean the end of his tenure at LSU.

The separation is official. Matt Canada is no longer LSU’s offensive coordinator. Tigers Head Coach Ed Orgeron says it was tough a decision, but he chose to go in a different direction in order to get the program where it needs to be. Coach O says the search for a new offensive coordinator begins immediately and he’ll look to identify a coach with a wealth of experience. The Advocate Reports Canada will receive one-point-seven million dollars to coach somewhere else.

For Carolina to upset the Saints tomorrow in the NFC Wild Card Game, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton needs to have a big game. Newton can be erratic as a passer, but New Orleans Defensive end Cam Jordan says it’s never easy to play against Newton…
cut 30 (13) “…get after em”
Kick-off tomorrow is at 3:40.

After falling by three points to 17th ranked Kentucky on Wednesday, the LSU Tigers get a chance to upset 11th ranked Texas A&M in College Station. The Aggies are 0-2 in the SEC, but they are getting back six-foot-nine forward D-J Hogg from a three-game suspension. He’s the Aggies leading scorer at 15 points a game and is shooting 50-percent from three-point range. Tip-off is at 1:15.

Tonight in the Cajundome, U-L Lafayette hosts Coastal Carolina. The Cajuns are the lone unbeaten team in the Sun Belt at 3-0. If they win tonight, it will equal their best conference start in four years.

ULM looks to even its record to 2-2 in league play as the Warhawks host Appalachian State at 2 PM. In Ruston tonight, Louisiana Tech goes after its first win in Conference USA as the Bulldogs host UTEP for a six PM tip.

In the Southland….McNeese hosts UNO. the Privateers are 4-0 in league play, while the Cowboys have won three of their last four.