The first Saturday of college football features three matchups involving intrastate teams. At 6 PM in Ruston, Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State. The Demons are coming off a 1-10 season, but Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz sees a more talented Northwestern team this year…:
Cut 16 (13) “to do”

In Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns begin the season by hosting Southeastern Louisiana. UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth says the key to beating the Lions is stopping their running game…:
Cut 19 (14) “back end”
The other intrastate matchup will happen at Yulman Stadium as Grambling visits Tulane.

In their season opener last night, ULM fell to Memphis 37-29. Nicholls State just got past McNeese by a score of 37-35.

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for a busy weekend as the LSU-BYU season opener takes place at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Kristian Sonnier with the CVB expects about 50,000 people will be in the Crescent City for the game that they were not anticipating:
Cut 14 (08) “and gold”
Kickoff is 8:30 pm tomorrow night.

Deputy director of athletics Eddie Nunez is leaving LSU for the athletic director job at the University of New Mexico. Nunez has been at LSU since 2003, serving in seven different positions with the athletic department.

Now that preseason is in the books following a close 14-13 Saints loss to the Ravens last night, the club now has to cut the roster from 90 players to 53. The Saturday league-wide deadline is 3pm.

Running back Derrius Guice is expected to play in LSU’s season opener against BYU on Saturday night in New Orleans, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said Wednesday, but a final decision on his status won’t be made until later in the week. Coach O also said he’ll be using a “no tell” policy on a player or players he may suspend for a game or games for disciplinary or academic reasons.

ULM kicks-off a new season tonight with a matchup against Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis was 8-5 last season. They return quarterback Riley Ferguson, who threw for 37-hundred yards and 32 touchdowns last season. Warhakws Coach Matt Viator says the six-foot-four senior is a tremendous football player…:
Cut 17 (20) “they’re built”
Kickoff is at 8pm.

McNeese and Nicholls begin the 2017 football season by playing each other in Thibodaux tonight in a contest that can be seen on ESPN 3. McNeese is led by quarterback James Tabary, who is coming off one of the most productive seasons in school history. Colonels Head Coach Tim Rebowe says he brings back a solid defense from last year…:
Cut 19 (19) “in James”
Kickoff is at 7pm.

LSU has sold all 25,000 of its allotted tickets for Saturday’s AdvoCare Texas Kickoff game vs. BYU in New Orleans. Another bloc of tickets are on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster. Prices range from $40 to $215 per ticket. Parking will be available only on game day for $40 per space.

The final preseason game for the New Orleans Saints kicks off tonight in the Mercedez Benz Superdome, but the matchup against the Ravens gives most of the players who will start in regular season action a chance to rest. However, it’s a race for others who are competing for the last few spots on the 53-man roster. There was some chatter on Wednesday that the game might be canceled due to now Tropical Depression Harvey, but a Saints spokesman confirmed via Twitter it’s on as scheduled. The NFL did announce on Wednesday they are canceling the Houston Texans game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette Tweeted out that he is donating $50,000 to victims of Harvey in Houston. The New Orleans native said he knows how it feels having gone through Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Ticket sales for the LSU-BYU game in the dome Saturday night are underway and now open to the general public through Ticketmaster. Prices for the relocated game range from $40 to $215 per ticket. Kickoff is 8:30pm on ESPN.

ULM kicks-off a new season tonight with a matchup against Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Sophomore Caleb Evans will start at QB after starting four games as a freshman. Coach Matt Viator says junior Garrett Smith will also take some snaps…:
Cut 16 (15) “shakes out”
Kickoff is at 8pm.

McNeese and Nicholls begin the 2017 football season by playing each other in Thibodaux tonight in a contest that can be seen on ESPN 3. McNeese has dominated this series, and Colonels Head Coach Tim Rebowe talks on what they need to do tonight…:
Cut 18 (15) “this week”
Kickoff is at 7pm.

Ticket sales for the LSU-BYU season opener, now at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, are underway. Fans who purchased tickets for the game in Houston, season ticket holders and students had first priority. LSU Ticket Manager Brian Broussard says the general public were able to start buying tickets at 4 p.m. and all sales are done online.
Cut 13 (09) “their side”
LSU will have a true freshman start at right guard on Saturday. It will be either Ed Ingram or Saahdiq Charles. Quarterback Danny Etling has confidence they can get the job done….
cut 19 (17) “…be fine”
Kick-off on Saturday night from the Dome is at 8:30.

There was a report today that said the NFL was considering cancelling tomorrow night’s preseason game between the Saints and Ravens in New Orleans because of Harvey. But that turned out to be fake news. It’s an important game for the back ups. Coach Sean Payton says if a guy can make a big play on special teams, it can go a long way towards making the 53-man roster….
cut 20 (23) “…decision right”

Looks like Harvey will not impact tomorrow night’s Southland opener between McNeese and Nicholls. Colonels Coach Tim Rebowe….
cut 25 (10) “…really soon”
Kick-off tomorrow is at 7 PM.

LSU continues its preparations for the season opener against BYU on Saturday night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Last year, the Tigers opened the season with a loss to Wisconsin in Green Bay. Tigers Quarterback Danny Etling says BYU looks a lot like that Badger defense they faced last year in Lambeau Field…
cut 18 (24) “….ready for the challenge”
On today’s SEC teleconference, Head Coach Ed Orgeron says no final decision yet on running back Derrius Guice, but it looks like he will play. Guice says he’s had an issue with his widsom teeth.

Some Louisiana schools begin their college football season tomorrow night. Nicholls State and McNeese State are still scheduled to play each other in Thibodaux. And ULM will make the trip to Memphis tonight where they’ll play the Tigers in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium tomorrow.

There is a report that says the NFL could cancel tomorrow night’s preseason game between the Saints and the Ravens, because of Tropical Storm Harvey. It’s the final preseason game, before the team has to cut dozens of players to get to a 53-man roster for the regular season opener. Coach Sean Payton says some difficult roster decisions will have to be made…
cut 30 (22) “…final cutdown”

LSU running back Derius Guice says he’s fired up to play in the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Saturday night against BYU. Guice says this will be the second time he’s played in the iconic stadium. The first time was when he was 12-years-old, when he played a quick game during halftime of a Saints game. Guice says it’s great to start the season in Louisiana….
Cut 17 (20) “worked itself out”

Pre-sale for the relocated LSU-BYU game in the Mercedes Benz Superdome Saturday, including purchases made through the participating schools, begins today at 10am. Pre-Sale codes will be emailed to fans that purchased tickets from LSU to game originally scheduled for NRG Stadium, season ticket holders, and full time students. Sales will open to the general public at 4.

The Saints and the rest of the NFL have to trim their 90 man roster down to 53 players by Saturday, and New Orleans got a jump start on Tuesday by releasing veteran defensive lineman Jason Jones and placing veteran tight end John Phillips on injured reserve.

Tomorrow’s Southland Conference opener between McNeese State and Nicholls is scheduled to be played in Thibodaux. Nicholls says they are game ready and McNeese AD Bruce Hemphill says as long as it’s safe to travel to Thibodaux they’ll be ready to play on Thursday night as well.

LSU Basketball coach Will Wade is helping out flood ravaged Houston. Cougars Coach Kelvin Smith asked all of his fellow basketball coaches at every level to send him school t-shirts and shoes, and he would distribute them to the appropriate agencies. Wade was quick to respond with a package of 20 pairs of shoes about about 40 LSU shirts to go to help Coach Sampson’s project.

Former LSU head coach Les Miles has joined the Fox Sports Network as an analyst for the 2017 college football season. The Mad Hatter will start with the Northern Illinois at Nebraska game along side Tim Brando. He will appear in select games during the season for Fox Sports.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said yesterday that running back Derrius Guice might not play in the season opener against BYU. But Guice spoke with reporters today and he says he’s ready to go…
cut 30 (05) “…100-percent”
Guice says he has been dealing with an issue with his wisdom teeth.

Meanwhile, for the seven LSU players from Houston there is a lot on their mind. Starting tackle Toby Weathersby says he’s worried about his grandparents, who are not willing to leave their home, even though the flood waters continue to rise. But Weathersby says he won’t let the troubles at home, affect his preparation for the game….
cut 28 (13) “….me inside”
Saturday’s game against BYU will kick-off at 8:30 in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, instead of Houston.

Thursday’s Southland Conference opener between McNeese State and Nicholls is scheduled to be played in Thibodaux. Nicholls says they are game ready and McNeese AD Bruce Hemphill says as long as it’s safe to travel to Thibodaux they’ll be ready to play on Thursday night as well.

Fox Sports announces that former LSU coach Les Miles will be a college football analyst on their network this fall. Miles is set to make his Fox Sports debut during Week 3 of the season when Nebraska hosts Northern Illinois. Miles’ son Ben is a fullback on the Cornhuskers team.

The Saints have traded a seventh round draft pick in 2019 to the Eagles for veteran long snapper Jon Dorenbos. Dorenbos is also a really good magician and was a big hit on America’s Got Talent in 2016. But when it comes to football….Coach Sean Payton likes his consistency over a long period of time. Dorenbos is set to enter his 15th season.

Payton also said cornerback Delvin Breaux will likely be put on injured reserve, because of a fractured fibula.

Seven LSU players from Houston are spending a great deal of time thinking about the epic flooding occuring in their hometown. Offensive tackle Toby Weathersby says his parents are okay, but his grandparents are set in their ways and do want to evacuate their home as flood waters continue to rise. Weathersby says if he was in Houston, he would carry his grandparents out of harms way…
cut 17 (16) “…get out”
Weathersby says he’s trying to not let the troubles at home, affect his preparation for the game.

LSU says fans who bought tickets for the season opener against BYU in Houston will have their money refunded automatically. Athletic Director Joe Alleva says those who had tickets, will get first priority to purchase tickets for the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, then LSU season ticket holders, students followed by the general public.

The Saints roster must go 90 to 53 by Saturday and some cuts are already starting to occur. The team has reportedly waived defensive end Jason Jones. The nine-year veteran signed with the team two and a half weeks ago.

ULM will start Caleb Evans at quarterback against the Memphis Tigers on Thursday night. Last season, Evans threw for 834 yards and and rushed for 163 yards in four starts.

West Monroe Head Football Jerry Arledge will be suspended for the first four games of the season, because of player tampering. The player in question, Isaiah George, has been ruled ineligible by the LHSAA, but the school plans to appeal that part of the ruling.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has released its first high school football polls of the season. In Five-A, John Curtis is ranked number one, in Four-A, the defending champs in Division Two, St. Thomas More is ranked number one. Over in 3A, De La Salle is number one. In Two-A, it’s Riverside the defending champs in Division Three.

The LSU season opener against BYU will be played in New Orleans in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, this Saturday night at 8:30pm. The game was set to be held in Houston, but has been moved due to the effects of Tropical Storm Harvey. LSU’s ticket office is working with AdvoCare Texas Kickoff officials to set up a structure for purchasing tickets to the game. They said tickets and parking passes originally purchased for NRG Stadium will be automatically refunded beginning today.

There are seven players on the LSU football team from the Houston area and it’s difficult time for them. Starting offensive tackle Toby Weathersby says his parents are okay living in a second floor apartment, but flood waters are threatening his grandparents home..:
Cut 16 (16) “worse and worse”

LSU coach Ed Orgeron announced Monday a true freshman will start along LSU’s offensive line. Either Ed Ingram or Saahdiq Charles will be the Tigers right guard — a competition that has been a central storyline of camp since presumed starter Maea Teuhema left the program weeks ago.

And it’s official, All-American edge rusher Arden Key won’t play this weekend. Coach O said the junior is not yet fully recovered from having shoulder surgery in May. He also said running back Derrius Guice will be eased into pracitce this week, but didn’t say whether or not he’d start in the season opener.

The Saints have made a trade with the Eagles for long snapper Jon Dorenbos, according the Philadelphia team Twitter account. The Saints are sending the Eagles a 2019 7th round pick in exchange for Dorenbos.

The LHSAA has issued a penalty ruling violation for West Monroe High School. Coach Jerry Arledge is suspended for four games and the school fined $5000 and placed on administrative probation for one year for player tampering.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says the months-long recovery of Solomon Hill will leave a big hole in their roster. Hill had surgery to repair a hamstring tear in his left leg. He said Monday that they are going to decide whether or not to bring back another player.

LSU says it’s unlikely they will be able to play its regular season opener against BYU in Houston because of the catastrophic flooding and several other alternative sites are under consideration, including the Mercedes Benz Superdome. But the Advocate reports game organizers are concerned about potential flooding in New Orleans from Harvey. Orlando and Nashville are reportedly other venues under consideration.

Meanwhile, wide receiver is a question mark on LSU’s offense. DJ Chark is the only proven wideout on the team and Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is anxious to see who else will step up….
cut 19 (17) “….receivers”
BYU won its season opener on Saturday, but it was not an impressive victory as the Cougars defeated Portland State 20-6.

The last three seasons the Saints have ranked near the bottom of the NFL, but they’ve looked much better so far in this preseason. On Saturday night, the defense had four sacks in a shutout of the Texans. Coach Sean Payton says it was good to see…
cut 17 (20) “….more time”
The Saints conclude the preseason on Thurdsday night at home against Baltimore.

College football news…ULM is set to begin the regular season on Thursday against Memphis. Caleb Evans is listed as the starting quarterback on the depth chart over Garrett Smith.

Because of Harvey, McNeese will use UL Lafayette’s practice facilities for Thursday night’s opener against Nicholls.

LHSAA has suspended West Monroe football coach Jerry Arledge for four games for what has been called player tampering.