Head coaching rumors have dominated the headlines the last three times LSU and Texas A-and-M have met. This time it involves A&M as it’s expected Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin will be fired after the game. Sumlin says his team has to block that type of noise out…
cut 16 (16) “…right now”
Last night in the SEC, Ole Miss beat 16th ranked Mississippi State 31-28. The Rebels finish the year with a 6-and-6 record, while the Bulldogs fall to 8-and-4. There are reports that Mississippi State will do everything they can to make sure Dan Mullen remains the head coach of the Bulldogs.

Grambling and Southern fans are making their way down to New Orleans for the Bayou Classic. The winner tomorrow will play in the SWAC title game.

The high school football playoffs resume tonight with 56 teams still fighting for a chance to play in the Dome…In Class Five-A, top-seeded West Monroe hosts Barbe. In Four-A. seventh seeded Neville is at undefeated Lakeshore. Over in Three-A, top seeded Sterlington will take on Richwood. In Two-A, Many is at Northeast and in One-A, Oak Grove hosts Basile

It’s semi-final action on the select side…in Division Four…Lafayette Christian is at Vermilion Catholic, while St. Mary’s visits Ascension Catholic.

ULM, UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech all play at home tomorrow. The Warhawks take on Arkansas State, who is trying to win a Sun Belt Champiosnhip. The Cajuns will host a one-win Georgia Southern team, while Louisiana Tech takes on UTSA. The Bulldogs need to win to be eligible for a bowl game.

The Pelicans are in Phoenix tonight to face the 7-and-12 Suns. On Saturday, they visit the World Champion Golden State Warriors.

Freshman Tremont Waters scored 39 points last night, but the LSU Tigers still lost to Marquette 94-84. Waters started hot as he hit his first four three-pointers, but the Bayou Bengals couldn’t stop the Golden Eagles. Andrew Rowsey had 30 points to pace Marquette. LSU went 1-and-2 in the Maui Invitational and in all three games they allowed their opponents to shoot over 50-percent from the field.

Derric Jean drilled a three-pointer with one second left to give Louisiana Tech a 63-61 win over Evansville at the Cancun Challenge. DaQuan Bracey had 17 points and five assists for the Bulldogs, who are 5-0 on the season.

Tulane is also 5-0 after beating Miami of Ohio 80-59. Melvin Frazier led the way with 20 points and career-high five steals.

Frank Bartley the Fourth had 23 points and six steals as the Ragin Cajuns dribbled past Richmond 82-76 at the Cayman Islands Classic.

The Pelicans trailed by 15 points to San Antonio early last night but eventually got it going and easily defeated San Antonio 107-90. Anthony Davis had 29 points and 11 rebounds, while DeMarcus Cousins had 24 points and 15 rebounds. Eventually New Orleans built a 30 point lead. The Pels are now 10-8 and visit Phoenix tomorrow.

It’s LSU versus Texas A-and-M on Saturday in Death Valley. The Bayou Bengals are looking to finish SEC play with a 6-and-2 record, their best mark since 2012. Last year, Derrius Guice rushed for an LSU record 285 yards against the Aggies. The Tigers defense will have to keep an eye on wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice yesterday as New Orleans gets ready to play the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday. Lattimore injured his ankle in the win over Washington and was seen wearing a protective boot in the lockerroom.

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was not at practice for the portion viewed by the media today. Lattimore left last Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. New Orleans has signed two cornerbacks Sterling Moore, who has been with the team before and Destre McDougle. McDougle is a former third round pick of the Jets in 2014 and was released by the Eagles this week.

In other Black and Gold injury news…Saints Safety Kenny Vaccaro says he’s 100-percent ready for Sunday’s game against the Rams. Vaccaro and linebacker A-J Klein were participants in practice today.

In the NBA tonight, the Pelicans will host San Antonio. New Orleans is coming off a 114 to 107 win over Thunder.

LSU basketball finishes its trip to Hawaii today as they play Marquette. No Brandon Sampson for the Tigers as he could miss a month with a sprained ankle that he suffered in last night’s loss to Notre Dame. Tonight’s game will tip-off at seven o’c lock.

LSU and Texas A-and-M renew their rivalry on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. But is it really a rivalry, because the Bayou Bengals have won six straight over the Aggies. A-and-M’s last win over LSU was in 1995 and even if the Aggies win, there are reports Head Coach Kevin Sumlin will be fired. Christian Kirk is Texas A-and-M’s top offensive player. He has six receiving touchdowns and he’s also returned a kick-off and punt return for a touchdown.

West Monroe state representative Frank Hoffmann has been the voice of ULM for the last 42-years, but Saturday he will call his last football game when the Warhawks take on Arkansas State. Hoffman says it’s bitter sweet to end his long play by play career.
Cut 9 (11) “doing it”
Hoffman says his favorite season was 1987 when Northeast Louisiana won the 1987 national championship.

It’s senior day for LSU this Saturday, but it’s unlikely that K-J Malone will be able to play because of a knee injury. Malone hasn’t played since injuring his knee in the game against Florida, but the Tigers have gone 4-and-1 during that time. Malone says he’s tried to stay as part of the team as much as he could, despite his injury….
cut 19 (13) “…as a positive”
The Tigers take on Texas A-and-M at Tiger Stadium on Saturday. Reports say Aggies Head Coach Kevin Sumlin will be fired after the game and A-and-M is expected to make a push to hire Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher.

Saints running back Mark Ingram has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Ingram rushed for a season-high 134 yards in New Orleans come from behind win over Washington. This Sunday, the Saints visit the Rams. Los Angles ranks 28th against the run in the NFL, so maybe another big game from Ingram.

According to the oddsmakers, Louisiana Tech and UL-Lafayette are favorite in their respective games this Saturday. The Bulldogs are a two-point favorite versus Frank Wilson and the U-T-S-A Roadrunners, while the Cajuns are six and a half point favorites to beat Georgia Southern. Coach Mark Hudspeth says he’s concerned about the Eagles defensive line.

Nicholls Head Coach Tim Rebowe is concerned about how they are going to slow down South Dakota this Saturday in their F-C-S opening round playoff game….
cut 17 (15) “…get it done”
South Dakota senior quarterback Chris Streveler, has thrown for 32-hundred yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.

LSU basketball faces Marquette in its third and final game in Hawaii. Starting guard Brandon Sampson will miss the next three to four weeks, after spraining his ankle in last night’s 92-53 loss to Notre Dame.

After the Saints improbable victory over the Redskins yesterday, quarterback Drew Brees said the sky’s the limit for this team. New Orleans is now 8-and-2 tied with Minnesota for the second best record in the NFC. But Coach Sean Payton is not ready to say they are one of the best teams in the league…
cut 20 (22) “…I’ll say that”
The Saints will not have one of their top performers on the defensive side of the football for the rest of the season. Alex Okafor tore his achilles tendon. Payton did not provide an update today on injured cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who tried to return to the game yesterday with an injured ankle.

LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron says edge rusher Arden Key is questionable for Saturday’s regular season finale against Texas A-and-M. Key did not play in the win against Tennessee. Coach O also said today that he assumes Key and running back Derius Guice will forgo their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft.

It didn’t take long for Northwestern State to find a new head football coach after deciding not to renew Jay Thomas’ contract after five seasons. Brad Laird will reportedly be the next Demons head coach. He served as the school’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator last season. The 44-year-old played quarterback at Northwestern State from 1991 to 1995.

The Ragin Cajuns beat their first power five school since 2002 today as they defeated Iowa 80-71 in the opening game of the inaugural Cayman Islands Classic. Frank Barltey the fourth led the Cajuns with 17 points.

During the Saints eight-game winning streak, they’ve been relying on their improved defense to win games. But the offense bailed them out yesterday as New Orleans rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Washington Redskins 34-31 in overtime. Alvin Kamara had 117 yards of total offense, Mark Ingram rushed for 131 yards and Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Brees on his star-studded backfield of Ingram and Kamara….
cut 19 (20) “…like that”
The Saints will no longer have the services of defensive end Alex Okafor, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles.

The LSU Tigers battled the weather and an emotionally charged Tennessee football team to beat the Volunteers 30-10 in Knoxville on Saturday. Head Coach Ed Orgeron is pleased his team didn’t let the weather affect them when the sideways rain began falling at the start of the second half…
cut 17 (12) “…came to play”
The Tigers will now get ready to play Texas A-and-M in the regular season finale on Saturday. The Aggies have rebounded from back-to-back losses to Mississippi State and Auburn to beat New Mexico and Ole Miss.

Nicholls State is in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Colonels will host South Dakota this Saturday at 3 PM in the first ever playoff game in Thibodaux. The Coyotes have an explosive offense as they are averaging over 500 yards a game.

McNeese State did not get an invite to postseason play, despite a 9-and-2 record.

The Saints won their eighth straight yesterday in dramatic fashion, rallying back from a 15-point deficit late in the 4th quarter to beat the Washington Redskins 34-31 in overtime. Will Lutz kicked his fourth field goal to win it in OT. Running back Mark Ingram rushed for 131 yards and a score and Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Brees on the 8-and-2 Saints….
cut 18 (18) “anyway”
The Saints are the first team in the Super Bowl era to start the season 0-2 and then win 8 straight. New Orleans has a one-game lead over Carolina for first place in the NFC South. They are tied with Minnesota with the 2nd best record in the NFC.

LSU has moved up two spots in the AP poll to 19 and three spots to 18 in the coaches poll after its 30-10 win over Tennessee in Knoxville. The game was played in windy conditions and then a cold rain hit Neyland Stadium to begin the second half. But Tigers running back Derius Guice says that’s what football is about….
cut 16 (18) “….and go”
Guice rushed for 97 yards and a score. The Tigers finish the regular season this Saturday at home against Texas A-and-M.

Nicholls State is in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Colonels will host South Dakota this Saturday at 3 PM. McNeese State did not get in, despite a 9-and-2 record. Northwestern State is now looking for a new head coach as Jay Thomas will not return for a sixth season.

It’s a perfect night for high school football as the playoffs continue tonight. In Class Five-A, top seeded West Monroe is on the road as they’ll visit Dutchtown. Seventh-seeded Ruston hosts Hahnville, who features one of the best running backs in the state in Pooka Williams. Also, 15th seeded Ouachita Parish tries to upset second-seeded Covington, who is undefeated.

In four-A, third seeded Benton is home to Cecillia, sixth-seeded Leesville takes on Rayne and seventh-seeded Neville faces a talented McDonogh 35 squad from New Orleans.

This LSU Tigers arrived in Knoxville this afternoon where they’ll take on Tennessee tomorrow night. The Vols winless in the SEC and searching for a new head coach. Edge rusher Arden Key and inside linebacker Donnie Alexander are questionable, which means freshmen K’Lavon Chaisson and Tyler Taylor could start in their place. Kick-off is at 6 PM and it’s expected to rain during the game.

Louisiana Tech, ULM, and UL-Lafayette all need to win this Saturday to keep hope alive of a bowl bid. The Bulldogs and Cajuns have a good chance at winning. Tech is at winless UTEP, while the Cajuns host New Mexico State for homecoming. The Warhawks are at sixth ranked Auburn.

McNeese State needs to win tomorrow in order for a chance to receive an at-large berth into the FCS Playoffs. The 8-and-2 Cowboys are at Lamar, who have just two wins on the year. Last night, Southeastern beat Nicholls 21-17. That loss might have knocked the Colonels out of the playoffs.

On Sunday it’s the Saints versus the Redskins as New Orleans goes after its eighth straight win. Washington is 4-and-5 and a tough team to figure out. Two weeks ago, the Redskins went on the road and beat Seattle, but lost to Minnesota at home last week.

The Pelicans are at Denver tomorrow night. The Nuggets are 8-and-6 and the Pels are just 1-and-7 against teams that currently have a winning record. Tonight’s game is on ESPN at 9:30.

LSU makes the trip to Rocky Top today where they’ll visit Tennessee, who is a disappointing 4-6, 0-6 in the SEC. Former Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke has taken over as the interim head coach, after Butch Jones was fired earlier this week. Quarterback Danny Etling says they expect to face a fired up Tennessee team…
cut 17 (17) “….be ready”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

In other action tomorrow, Louisina Tech is at winless UTEP. The Bulldogs need to win their final two games to be bowl eligible. ULM is at 6th ranked Auburn. Auburn is coming off a huge win over Georgia and face Alabama next Saturday. And the Ragin Cajuns host New Mexico State for homecoming.

Southeastern Louisiana beat Nicholls 21-17 last night in Hammond and the Colonels will wait and see if they’ve done enough to get into the FCS playoffs. 17th ranked Nicholls finishes with a regular season record of 8-3.

McNeese State is also in position to make the FCS playoffs. The Cowboys are at Lamar tomorrow, Northwestern State hosts Stephen F Austin. Has Jay Thomas done enough to keep his job in Natchitoches? The Demons are 3-and-7.

The high school football playoffs continue tonight….In Class 5-A Ruston hosts Hahnville. Tigers running back Pooka Williams rushed for five touchdowns last week in a win over Denham Springs.

In four-A….North Desoto is at Warren Easton, while Northwood-Shreveport hosts Salmen. In Three-A, Jennings versus Church Point should be a good one and Division Two…quarterfinals has St. Thomas More versus Parkview Baptist.

The forecast calls for rain and temperatures falling into the 50s on Saturday in Knoxville for the LSU-Tennessee game. But the Tigers should have success running the football as the Volunteers rank last in the SEC in rushing defense. LSU Quarterback Danny Etling hopes success on the ground will lead to good results through the air…:
Cut 16 (14) “get involved”
Kickoff tomorrow is at 6pm.

What a game last night in Hammond. It was expected to be tight as the River Bell Classic typically is, and Southeastern couldn’t be stopped in the second half — the Lions marched on to beat Nicholls State 21-17. It was a big blow to the 17th ranked Colonels who were looking to lock up their first FCS playoff berth since 2005.

The LSU men’s basketball team had an easy time against Samford last night at the PMAC. The Tigers picked up a 105-86 win. Junior Brandon Sampson and sophomore Skylar Mays led LSU in scoring with 20 points each. Here’s a highlight of a Sampson dunk…with Chris Blair on the call from the LSU Sports Radio Network…:
CUT 25 (12) “off of Samford”
Sampson had a career-best seven assists. The Tigers now will fly to Maui where they will begin play in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on Monday.

Also in college hoops last night, ULM beat SLU 86-75. Grambling fell to Iowa, 85-74.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was added to the Thursday injury report with a back injury. New Orleans will face the Washington Redskins Sunday who listed 18 players on their injury report.