06:45 Sportscast, September 13th, 2017

The Saints spent Tuesday breaking down the tape of Monday night’s 29-19 loss to Minnesota. Head Coach Sean Payton says it was not a fun exercise, because of how poorly the team played…:
Cut 16 (16) “hurt us”

New Orleans will look to turn this around at home this weekend against the Patriots. Meanwhile these fans couldn’t come up with many nice things to say about the Monday Night Football Game against the Vikings…:
Cut 25 (09) “running for his life”
Kickoff Sunday against the Super Bowl camps is 12 noon in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

A few of LSU’s young wide receivers had a chance to shine in last Saturday’s victory over Chattanooga. Stephen (STEF-ON) Sullivan and JaCoby Stevens each caught their first passes on the college level and Drake Davis was wide open when he caught his first TD Pass. Quarterback Danny Etling…:
Cut 18 (19) “of practice”
The Tigers take on Mississippi State this Saturday in Starkville.

It looks like the Pelicans minor league team won’t be headed to Shreveport. The City Council voted against a $30 million dollar proposal that would have went towards a multi-use sports complex downtown, which supporters were pushing as a way to attract the Tom Benson organization to northwest Louisiana.

The LSU Basketball team has verbal pledge from 5-star recruit Naz Reid. He’s out of New Jersey and is regarded as the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2018 class.

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 12

Another Saints season is off to a rough start, as the Black and Gold lost to Minnesota 29-19 last night. New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Sunday, but coach Sean Payton says the mistakes made last night need to be corrected…
Cut 15 (17) “do it”
Some of the biggest mistakes took place in pass coverage as the Saints allowed Vikings Quarterback Sam Bradford to throw for 346 yards and a touchdown.

In other NFL news…the Buffalo Bills have signed former LSU wide receiver Malachi Dupre to their practice roster. And the Packers have released another former Tiger, defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois

In LSU’s 45-10 win over Chattanooga, quarterback Danny Etling was 8-of-14 for 227 yards and a score. He connected on five passes of 25 yards or more. But Head Coach Ed Orgeron says LSU could have been more productive through the air, if Etling was more accurate….
Cut 18 (18) “in that area”

ULM Football Coach Matt Viator plans to start junior Garrett Smith at quarterback in Saturday’s home opener against Southern Miss. Viator says sophomore Caleb Evans will also play too as the competition between the two QBs remains tight.

In the NBA…the Pelicans have reportedly signed veteran free agent guard Tony Allen, who is a really good defender.

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 12th

Another Saints season is off to a rough start. New Orleans had trouble scoring touchdowns after getting into the redzone and Vikings Quarterback Sam Bradford picked apart the Saints defense for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings 29-19 victory last night. Head Coach Sean Payton….
cut 13 (18) “…they did”
Bad news on the injury front as well. Starting right tackle Zach Strief left the game with a leg injury and he reportedly suffered an MCL sprain and is expected to miss a few weeks.

During last night’s game, ESPN caught Adrian Peterson and Sean Payton having a verbal exchange on the sidelines, but both Payton and Peterson downplayed the incident. Peterson had just 18 yards on six carries.

LSU is anticipating a hostile crowd for this Saturday’s SEC contest between the Tigers and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are also 2-0 on the year. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says he has a plan on how to practice for all of the cowbells they’ll hear on Saturday night…
Cut 17 (16) “cowbells”
LSU will also spend this week trying to fix their field goal situation. Jack Gonsoulin and Connor Culp each missed field goals from 40-plus yards out last week.

Louisiana Tech has its first road game of the season this Saturday as the Bulldogs visit Western Kentucky The Hilltoppers have won 13 straight conference home games and they’re 21-2 in their last 23 games against CUSA opponents. The two losses have been against Louisiana Tech. Western Kentucky beat Tech 58-44 in last year’s league title game.

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 11

The Saints kick-off the 2017 season tonight against Minnesota, which last season had one of the better defenses in the NFL. The Vikings have two pro bowlers in their secondary, safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Quarterbck Drew Brees says Rhodes is a top tier corner…
cut 17 (12) “…good reason”
No Willie Snead for the Saints. The wide receiver begins a three-game suspension tonight for an offseason DWI. Terron Armstead, Nate Stupar and Trey Hendrickson have also been ruled out for today’s game because of injuries and illness.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is not sure if Rashard Lawrence will be able to play Saturday against Mississippi State. He was in a walking boot for the win over Chattanooga. But Orgeron says All-American pass rusher Arden Key should see his first action of the season.

Nicholls Wide Receiver Damion Jeanpiere has been named Southland Offensive Player of the Week. Jeanpiere had five catches for 174 yards as the Colonels nearly upset Texas A&M on Saturday.

Grambling’s Martez Carter had 206 yards of total offense in the Tigers 23-10 win over Northwestern State and the senior from Monroe was named as the SWAC offensive player of the week. Carter had 138 yards on teh ground and two touchdowns.

The SEC has announced that LSU’s game versus Syracuse on September 23rd will be a night game, either 6 or 6:30. And the ULM-UL-Lafayette game that day will kick-off at 4 PM from Cajun Field.

Longtime major league baseball scout and Baton Rouge native Mel Didier has passed away at the age of 90. Dider also lettered in baseball and football at LSU in the mid-1940 and he’s a former Fighting Tiger assistant coach. Didier was a scout for the Dodgers when they won the World Series in 1988.

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 11

A major storyline heading into tonight’s regular season opener for the Saints is Adrian Peterson’s return to Minnesota. As a Viking, Peterson rushed for 11,747 yards. The 32-year-old says he would like to have a big game that leads to a victory….
cut 16 (10) “…New England”
Kick-off tonight is just after 6 PM at U-S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Former LSU Tiger Leonard Fournette’s NFL debut was a success. Fournette rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville’s 29-7 win over the Houston Texans.

Odell Beckham Junior didn’t play last night and the Giants missed him as Dallas downed New York 19-3. Former Haughton star Dak Prescott threw for 268 yards and did not turn the ball over.

LSU unleashed a down field passing attack in its 45-10 win over Chattanooga on Saturday night. Quarterback Danny Etling averaged 16 yards per passing attempt, which is a career high. Through two games, he’s completed 71-percent of his passes for nearly 400 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. Head Coach Orgeron says Etling looks like a different player this season…
Cut 14 (19) “do it”
Etling and the Tigers offense will be tested this week. Through two games, the Bulldogs defense has allowed just 178 passing yards.

UL Lafayette Head Football Coach Mark Hudspeth believes his team has a quarterback they can count on. Jordan Davis threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns, he also rushed for 60 yards and two more scores in a loss to Tulsa.

06:45 Sportscast, September 11th, 2017

LSU Remains NO. 12 in the AP Top 25 poll following a 45-10 win over Chattanooga on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers are now headed into this weekend’s SEC opener versus Mississippi State in Starkville. Between Jack Gonsoulin and Connor Culp, the Tigers have missed three field goals. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says it’s an issue…:
Cut 13 (10) “we can”
But quarterback Danny Etling has looked sharp. Through two games, he’s completed 71-percent of his passes for nearly 400 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

Mississippi State had no problem against Louisiana Tech in a 57-21 non-conference win over the weekend in Ruston. State’s Nick Fitzgerald threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more. Tech travels to face Western Kentucky in its Conference USA opener this Saturday.

An intriguing matchup to start the season for the Saints as they visit the Minnesota Vikings to kick-off the 2017 campaign. New Orleans led the NFL in total offense last year, while the Vikings had the league’s third-ranked defense, and return most of their starters from 2016. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s a tough match-up to start the season…:
Cut 15 (12) “absolute best”
Kickoff tonight is slated for 6pm.

In other football action around the state over the weekend, The Ragin’ Cajuns fell to Tulsa 66-42 in an offensive shootout.

Nicholls State rallied back from an early 14-0 deficit against Texas A&M, but the Aggies did just enough to put the game away as the Colonels fell 24-14.

McNeese State hammered Florida Tech 42-21. Southeastern Louisiana fell to Bethune-Cookman 28-23.

 

07:30 LRN Sportscast September 9

12th ranked LSU returns to Tiger Stadium for the first time in 2017 as they host Chattanooga at 6:30. Last week, the Tigers started four true freshman and young players could see more playing time tonight, if this game gets out of hand. LSU is 12-0 against FCS teams. The Mocs lost their season opener to Jacksonville State 27-13.

For the 13th time, Louisiana Tech will play Mississippi State and for the second time the game will take place in Ruston. Tech beat State 22-14 in 2008 at Joe Aillet Stadium. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says it’s been tough preparing for Mississippi State Q-B Nick Fitzgerald…
cut 30 (20) “…pick our battles”
Kick-off is at 6:30.

The Ragin Cajuns had a thrilling win over Southeastern Louisiana last week, this afternoon they travel to take on Tulsa. Last year, the Golden Hurricane offense ranked fourth nationally in yards per game and seventh in scoring. Tulsa lost last week to Oklahoma State 59-24.

Tulane begins American Athletic Conference play by visiting Navy. Nicholls State is looking for its fourth victory over an FBS team as they take on reeling Texas A-and-M, who blew a 34-point. third quarter lead and lost 45-44 to UCLA. Last year, the Colonels nearly beat Georgia.

Elsewhere…McNeese hosts Florida Tech, Southeastern Louisiana takes on Bethune-Cookman in Hammond, Northwestern State makes the short to Grambling State and Southern is at Southern Miss.

High School football last night…Acadiana over Ruston 28-6, Barbe had a big 45-28 win over Riverside, St. James defeated Lutcher, and Sterlington shutout OCS 35-to-zip.

11:40 LRN Sportscast September 8

There’s been a stunning development with the Saints. 37-year-old long snapper Jon Dornbos needs to have immediate open-heart surgery after he was diagnosed with an aortic (A-or-tic) aneurysm. He was recently traded to the Saints from Philadelphia for a seventh round draft pick in 2019. Coach Sean Payton says a phsical conducted by Dr. John Amoss saved Dorenbos’ life. New Orleans is bringing in long snappers today and expect to sign one before Monday night’s season opener against Minnesota.

No ULM game on Saturday versus Florida State in Tallahassee as that game has been cancelled because of Hurricane Irma.

The weather is perfect for high school football tonight. Ruston who upset Neville last week will travel to Lafayette to face Acadiana. St. Charles Catholic takes on Destrehan and in northeast Louisiana, Ouchita Christian battles Sterlington.

LSU looked really good in the Tigers shutout win over BYU in the season opener, LSU allowed just 97 total yards and held BYU to negative five rushing yards. Tomorrow night they host Chattanooga, linebacker Devin White led the team in tackles that night and expects more dominate performances…
Cut 16 (14) “need to be”

06:45 Sportscast, September 8th, 2017

12th ranked LSU is coming off a dominating performance over BYU and will host Chattanooga at 6:30 tomorrow night in the home opener for the Tigers. LSU is a heavy favorite to beat the FCS School, but Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they have a great deal of respect for the Mocs…:
Cut 15 (08) “but a battle”
LSU defensive end Rashard Lawrence will miss the game, according to Coach O. He played the entire game against BYU, but was seen limping around the field.
Orgeron also said stand-out edge rusher Arden Key is still not ready to play.

Saturday’s contest between ULM at Florida State has been cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. The game was previously moved up to an 11am start time earlier in the week. It is unknown at this time if the game will be made up.

No. 22 Florida also canceled its home opener against Northern Colorado because of the impending storm.

Louisiana Tech is gearing up for a big home game this Saturday as the Bulldogs will host Mississippi State from the SEC. The last time these two teams met in Ruston, Tech defeated State 22-14 in 2008. Coach Skip Holtz says hosting an SEC team is a great opportunity for their football team, but this game does not make their season…:
Cut 13 (11) “after this one”
Both teams won their season openers.

Tulane is at Navy. The Green Wave are 13 point underdogs. They beat Grambling last week as quarterback Jonathan Banks threw for 185 yards and three scores, plus one rushing TD.

The Ragin Cajuns released their baseball schedule Thursday and they’ll begin the season with a three-game series against the Texas Longhorns in Austin. UL Lafayette will also play in the Shriner’s Classic in Houston and host LSU on March 7th. They’ll face the Tigers again on March 27th in Metairie.

 

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 7

The Saints first injury report leading up to the season opener against Minnesota came out today. Terron Armstead, Trey Hendrickson, Nate Stupar and Jon Dorenbos did not practice, while Stephone Anthony and Chase Daniel were limited. Dorenbos and Hendrickson are both ill, while Stupar has a hamstring injury and Armstead continues to recover from a shoulder injury.

LSU’s Arden Key appears to be getting closer to returning to the field. He practiced fully yesterday, but will not play in the home opener on Saturday against Chattanooga. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Key continues to make progress every day and they’ll find out more next week.

The Ragin Cajuns released their baseball schedule today and they’ll begin the season with a three-game series against the Texas Longhorns in Austin. UL Lafayette will also play in the Shriner’s Classic in Houston and host LSU on March 7th. They’ll face the Tigers again on March 27th in Metairie.

UL-Lafayette is preparing for its trip to Tulsa to take on the Golden Hurricane. Cajuns starting quarterback Jordan Davis was 12 of 23 for 162 yards and one touchdown. Coach Mark Hudspeth on what he expects from Davis in Week 2….
cut 17 (19) “….each week”
The Cajuns are a two touchdown underdog.

Louisiana Tech is an 8.5 point underdog at home to Mississippi State. Tech is hoping to get another big game from Linebacker Dae’von Washington, who had two interceptions in the win over the Demons last week.

Tulane is at Navy. The Green Wave are 13 point underdogs. They beat Grambling last week as quarterback Jonathan Banks threw for 185 yards and three scores, plus one rushing TD.