16:45 LRN Sportscast September 26

LSU’s young wide receivers showed another sign of maturing last week in the win over Syracuse. Drake Davis and Stephen Sullivan each caught touchdown passes. Quarterback Danny Etling says these two will continue to get better as the season goes along…
cut 19 (20) “…and learn”
And head coach Ed Orgeron says expect to see Etling continue to share snaps with freshman Myles Brennan. Brennan took 16 snaps last Saturday and should see more playing time this Saturday against Troy.

Louisiana Tech is back home this Saturday to host South Alabama. The Jaguars have announced the firing of their offfensive coordinator as they rank 109 in total offense. U-S-A is 1-3 on the year.

The fallout continues over the decision by ten Saints players not to stand for the national anthem prior to Sunday’s game against Carolina. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has told two media outlets that he’s boycotting the team. Nungesser says not standing for the anthem is un-American and offensive to the military.

Meanwhile, the Saints are in London getting ready for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. 2008 was the last time the Black and Gold played overseas and they beat San Diego. They’ll take on a Miami team that is coming off a bad performance and a loss to the New York Jets. Dolphins Head Coach Adam Gase called his team’s performance on offense garbage.

Training camp started today for the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pels are trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The team is hoping a full year with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins will lead to them having one of the eight best records in the West.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says expect to see true freshman Myles Brennan continue to get snaps while the game is still on the line. Brennan played three series in the Syracuse game and guided the team on a touchdown and threw an interception in another. Starter Danny Etling says it’s important he stays in a rhythem and have the proper mindset…
cut 18 (09) “…supposed to do”
The Tigers had trouble protecting their quarterbacks last Saturday as Syracuse did a good job of pressuring Etling and Brennan. Orgeron says the offensive line can’t get beat in one-on-one battles…
cut 17 (12) “…one on ones”
LSU will host Troy on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech is gearing up to host South Alabama this Saturday. The Jaguars have fired offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent. South Alabama is 1-3 and they rank 109th in total offense, 105th in pass offense and 91st in scoring.

Grambling State will play in Chicago on Saturday as they take on Clark Atlanta. Senior quarterback DeVante Kincade is listed as day-to-day with a lower leg injury. Grambling has moved up one spot to 21 in the STATS FCS Top 25 poll.

McNeese State is ranked 25th in the FCS Coaches poll. The Cowboys visit Stephen F Austin on Saturday. The Lumberjacks are off to a 2-0 start in league play.

Also in the Southland this weekend….Southeastern Louisiana visits Northwestern State. Both teams are looking for their first win in league play and Nicholls is at Lamar. The Colonels looking to rebound after a blowout loss to Sam Houston State.

In the Class Five A football poll….Acadiana comes in at number five, Rummel fourth, Evangel third, John Curtis is second and West Monroe is number one.

06:45 Sportscast, September 26th, 2017

Congressman Clay Higgins is another lawmaker voicing his disapproval of NFL players refusing to stand during the national anthem. He says these athletes have the right to protest, and he has the right to turn off the TV…:
Cut 9 (11) “to me”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says fellow House member Kenny Havard is wrong to suggest that the state should stop providing tax dollars to the Saints because some players refused to stand during the national anthem. He hopes this is just grandstanding, but suspects Havard is not alone with this sentiment:
Cut 12 (11) “the table”

Meanwhile the Saints have arrived in London to begin preparations for the game at Wembley Sunday morning against the Dolphins.

During Monday’s media day for the New Orleans Pelicans, DeMarcus Cousins blasted the president for his comments that players who stand during the anthem should be fired. Cousins said that what’s going on in the NFL should be the least of Mr. Trump’s concerns. The Pels open preseason action October 3rd.

25th ranked LSU continues preparations today for its final non-conference game of the year as the Tigers will host Troy on Saturday night. Last week, LSU focused on not committing penalties and they only had three called in the Syracuse game. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they look to get more consistent on offense this week…:
Cut 16 (24) “this week”

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 25

A Louisiana lawmaker would like to cut state tax dollars for the New Orleans Saints after multiple players didn’t stand during the national anthem during yesterday’s game. St. Francisville Rep. Kenny Havard says they have looked at cutting funding to the Saints in the past. He says the state also rents office space in Benson Tower for an extremely expensive price…:
Cut 8 (08) “the state”

President Donald Trump said Friday that owners should fire players who don’t stand for the anthem. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says he disagrees with what the president said…:
Cut 4 (09) “disappointed a lot of people”
But Brees said he would never sit for the anthem. Some fans are posting pictures on social media of black and gold memorabilia on fire.

LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron does not expect star running back Derius Guice will play in Saturday’s home game against Troy. But then again, he said last week that Guice wouldn’t play against Syracuse and Guice still got eight carries and scored a touchdown.

Coach “O” said senior safety Ed Paris will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and he’s hopeful Paris will get a medical redshirt, so he can return to the Tigers next year. Also, defensive end Rashard Lawrence re-aggravated his injury and will likely miss Saturday’s Troy game.

ULM Head Football Coach Matt Viator says Caleb Evans will be his starting quarterback when the Warhawks hosts Coastal Carolina this Saturday. Evans won Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honors for his performance in the double overtime victory over the Cajuns. Evans accounted for 472 total yards and six touchdowns.

In the FCS Coaches poll….Grambling State has moved up three spots to number 19. McNeese State is ranked 25th after defeating Houston Baptist.

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.