06:45 Sportscast, October 20th, 2016

The Saints play in one of the most difficult venues for opposing teams in the NFL this Sunday when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has yet to throw for over 300 yards in a game on the road this season, but knows New Orleans offense can be just as good on the road as it is at home if they execute…:
Cut 18 (14) “just fine”
Last year K-C was 6-2 at Arrowhead Stadium and this season they are 2-0.

Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead is back but limited at practice. Armstead hasn’t played since week 2 of the season after suffering a knee injury in the loss to the Giants. The game Sunday against the Chiefs kicks off at noon and will be televised by FOX.

The Ragin Cajuns look to snap a three-game losing streak on Saturday night when they visit Texas State. UL Lafayette is coming off a 24-0 loss to Appalachian State and Coach Mark Hudspeth says it’s obvious they have to figure out a way to put some points on the board…:
Cut 16 (16) “this week”
The game kicks off at 6pm at Bobcat Stadium.

In the NBA, it’s reported that Pelicans star Anthony Davis is likely to play in next week’s season opener, as the treatment to his sprained ankle appears to be working well. He’s officially listed as probable to play tonight in the preseason finale against the Orlando Magic.

 

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 19th

For the third straight year, LSU and Ole Miss will play each other on Saturday night with both teams ranked in the top 25. The Tigers are ranked 25th, while the Rebels are ranked 23rd. Last year, Ole Miss beat LSU 38-17. The Rebels blew the game open with three touchdowns in the second quarter. LSU defensive end Arden Key says it was a painful loss…
cut 20 (12) “…for em”
LSU has won 18 straight games in Tiger Stadium in October, dating back to 2009.

Louisiana Tech will be at Florida International this Saturday. F-I-U is a perfect 3-and-0 in league games as they have defeated F-A-U, UTEP and Charlottte. The Panthers started the year 0-4, but ever since Ron Cooper took over as interim coach, they’ve won three in a row. Kick-off is Miami is at 6 PM.

Saints kicker Wil Lutz has been named NFC Special Teams player of the week. He kicked the 52-yard field goal that gave New Orleans a 41-38 win over Carolina. Coach Sean Payton says rookie wide receiver Jake Lampman received a game ball for his efforts on special teams as he had three tackles against the Panthers after being elevated from the practice squad.

There are reports that Pelicans star Anthony Davis could play in next week’s season opener after suffering a sprained ankle last week. It’s likely Davis could test his sore ankle in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Orlando Magic. Sources say Davis practiced yesterday with no issues.

In a vote by the media, the LSU men’s basketball team has been picked to finish 12th in the 14-team SEC. Antonio Blakeney was an All-SEC second-team preseason selection.

The Sun Belt Coaches poll has UL Lafayette finishing seventh in the 12-team league and ULM coming in eighth place. UT Arlington heads into the year as a preseason favorite.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 19th

Could we see a better second half of the season for junior wide receiver Malachi Dupre? The former John Curtis star scored his first two touchdowns of the season last week. On the year, he has just 18 catches in six games. Dupre says he’s maintained a positive attitude during his struggles…
cut 19 (19) “…it happened’
LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says running back Leonard Fournette will be on a pitch count this Saturday against Ole Miss. Fournette has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but Coach O’ says he’s moving at full speed in practice.

Southeastern Louisiana Coach Ron Roberts says quarterback Justin Alo will not play this Saturday against Houston Baptist, because of a shoulder injury.

Saints first round draft pick Sheldon Rankins has healed up from his broken leg during training camp and returns to the practice field today. Rankins was initially placed on injured reserve and according to NFL rules he’ll be eligible to play week 9 at San Francisco. Rankins should be able to help a defense that ranks 31st in the league.

Also, kicker Will Lutz has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Lutz made a 52-yard field goal that gave New Orleans a victory over Carolina last week.

This past Sunday night’s matchup between Houston and Indianapolis was the lowest rated Sunday night football game since 2011. Viewership for NBC’s prime-time games have been down 17 percent from last year.

The expectations are not that high for the LSU men’s basketball team. Members of the media have picked the LSU Tigers to finish 12th in the 14th team SEC. Sophomore guard Antonio Blakeney is a preseason second team All-SEC selection.

In the Sun Belt Conference, UL Lafayette has been picked to finish seventh in the 12 team league in a preseason coaches poll. ULM has been picked to finish eighth.

06:45 Sportscast, October 19th, 2016

LSU players are just like LSU fans, they are excited to have running back Leonard Fournette back on the field after he missed the last two games because of an ankle sprain. Offensive guard Josh Boutte says it makes the Tigers ground attack much more potent…:
Cut 18 (10) “running game”
The Tigers take on Ole Miss Saturday night in Tiger Stadium at 8pm.

The New Orleans Saints have moved up five spots from No. 25 to No. 20 in the latest ESPN Power Rankings as they improve to 2-3 on the year after two wild finishes the past two weeks. New England is ranked No. 1 again this week, followed by Minnesota, Seattle, Dallas and Denver. The Saints travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Sunday. Kansas City is ranked No. 11 after a big win over Oakland last weekend.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton surprised a 14-year-old super-fan battling a chronic illness with a contract to become a Saints player. On Good Morning America Tuesday, Payton told Jarrius Robertson that he was coming to Kansas City with the team this weekend and handling all media. Robertson is often at games and practices and has become a social media sensation.

Grambling’s climb in the national rankings continues. The Tigers’ football program moved up two spots to No. 21 in the latest FCS Top 25 Coaches Poll and moved up three spots to No. 22 in the STATS FCS Top 25.

McNeese State Head Coach Lance Guidry has left the Cowboys football program as his family grieves the loss of his brother and his grandfather, who died just two days a part. Guidry got the news Saturday afternoon just before the school’s first shutout loss since 2001. Lark Hebert will serve as acting head coach and says there’s it’s unknown if Coach Guidry will be back with the team before they play Northwestern State this Saturday.

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 18th

LSU begins a stretch of five consecutive games against ranked opponents on Saturday when they host 23rd ranked Ole Miss. The Rebels have the best pass offense in the SEC, averaging 320 yards through the air. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze is one of the best offensive coaches in college football…
cut 18 (22) “….he’s doing there”
Orgeron and Freeze know each other well. When Coach O’ was the head coach at Ole Miss, he hired Freeze as an off-the-field administrator. Looking back at it, Orgeron says he should have promoted Freeze to offensive coordinator.

A 14-year-old who has a chronic liver disease and is waiting for a new liver has been named a honorary member of the Saints. Jarrius Robertson has become close to Head Coach Sean Payton and the players since they visited him last December at a hospital in New Orleans. Robertson is often at games and practices and has become a social media sensation. He’ll be with the team this Sunday in Kansas City.

McNeese State Head Coach Lance Guidry has left the Cowboys football program as his family grieves the loss of his brother and his grandfather, who died just two days a part. Guidry’s brother died Saturday morning before the Cowboys 35-0 loss to Central Arkansas. Lark Hebert will serve as acting head coach and says there’s it’s unknown if Coach Guidry will be back with the team before they play Northwestern State this Saturday.

Nicholls is getting ready to play the number one team in FCS Coaches Poll. Sam Houston State and the Colonels are set for a 3 PM kick-off at John L Guidry Stadium.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 18th

LSU expects star running back Leonard Fournette to play this Saturday against Ole Miss. Last year, the Rebels beat the Tigers 38-17. Coach Ed Orgeron says he has not forgotten that humbling loss in Oxford…
cut 17 (21) “….fix this week”
Orgeron is not happy with how the team played last week in the first half against Ole Miss.

ULM Redshirt freshman Will Collins will start at quarterback this Saturday for the Warhawks against New Mexico. Coach Matt Viator likes how the team rallied around Collins, who replaced the injured Garrett Smith….
cut 30 (06) “…the game’
Collins threw two touchdown passes in the win against Texas State.

Louisiana Tech running back Jaqwis Dancy will miss the rest of the season, because he has cancer. Dancy is scheduled to begin treatment this week at St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis as he’s been diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they’ll wear a special decal on their helmet in honor of Dancy…
cut 20 (21) “…love em”
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a treatable cancer.

A 14-year-old boy fighting a liver disease was made an honorary Saint today during an appearance on Good Morning America. Jarrius Robertson is a big fan of the Saints and Coach Sean Payton personally invited Jarrius and his Dad to travel with the team to Sunday’s game at Kansas City.

06:45 Sportscast, October 18th, 2016

After missing the last two games because of an ankle injury, LSU running back Leonard Fournette is expected to play this Saturday against 23rd ranked Ole Miss. Tigers Head Coach Ed Orgeron says not being able to play has been tough on his All-American tailback…:
Cut 16 (16) “his hand”
Ole Miss brings a 3-3 record into Baton Rouge as they are 1-and-2 in the SEC. But the Rebels have the best pass offense in the SEC, averaging 320 yards through the air. Kickoff is 8pm.

Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association goes to Tiger linebacker Kendell Beckwith who had a career best 15 tackles including two for a loss in the Tigers’ 45-10 victory over Southern Miss.

In the Southland…Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana are both 3-1 in league play, tied for third place. The Colonels host Sam Houston this Saturday, while the Lions play Houston Baptist in Hammond.

Nicholls defensive lineman Ronald Ollie was named Special Teams Player of the Week by the LSWA. It’s the second weekly award for the junior.

Louisiana Tech’s Carlos Henderson was named the LSWA Offensive Player of the Week. Henderson’s receiving yardage in the Bulldogs’ win over Massachusetts was the second most in Tech and C-USA history

Louisiana Tech running back Jaqwis Dancy will miss the rest of the season as he’s been diagnosed with cancer. Coach Skip Holtz says the sophomore from Arkansas has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Holtz says the team learned about Dancy’s cancer fight earlier this month and it’s helped bring the team together…:
Cut 19 (17) “Louisiana Tech”

16:45 LRN Sportscast October 17th

The LSU Tigers showed they can be an explosive offense in their 45-10 win over Southern Miss on Saturday. The Tigers had scoring plays of 61, 63 and 80 yards. Coach Ed Orgeron says it was nice to see Quarterback Danny Etling hit on some deep balls…
cut 28 (11) “…stiffer opponents”
This Saturday, the Tigers host 23rd ranked Ole Miss. Orgeron was the head coach of the Rebels from 2005-2007. In 2006, Orgeron nearly led Ole Miss to an upset win over LSU. The Tigers ended up pulling it out, beating the Rebels 23-20 in overtime. Orgeron talked about that game today…
cut 30 (16) “…a battle”

The Saints spent today reviewing the game tape of Sunday’s 41-38 victory over Carolina. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns. His 15th career 400 yard passing game. It was a good game for cornerback BW Webb, who had three pass break-ups, but Brian Dixon was flagged for three pass interference penalties. New Orleans can climb back to the .500 mark at 3-3 with a win this Sunday at Kansas City.

ULM Quarterback Garrett Smith is done of the season after tearing his ACL in the win over Texas State. Redshirt freshman Will Collins will take his place. He threw two touchdowns in Saturday’s homecoming win.

Louisiana Tech running back Jaqwis Dancy will also miss the rest of the 2016 season as he’s been diagnosed with cancer. Coach Skip Holtz says the sophomore has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Dancy complained about lymph node while rehabbing an ankle injury and tests came back positive earlier this month.

11:40 LRN Sportscast October 17th

Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers 41-38. Brandin Cooks had 7 catches for 173 yards and one long touchdown. But the 52-yard field goal by rookie kicker Wil Lutz was the difference. Coach Sean Payton is very high on the 22-year-old.
cut 20 (18) “…mental toughness”
The Saints are now 2-and-3 and they’ll visit Kansas City this Sunday. The Chiefs easily defeated the Raiders 26-10 yesterday.

Haughton native Dak Prescott continues to impress. Prescott threw for three touchdowns in the Cowboys 30-16 win over Green Bay.

The LSU Tigers got off to a slow start against Southern Miss, but eventually got it rolling in a 45-10 blowout win over the Golden Eagles. Running back Derrius Guice had 162 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Quarterback Danny Etling threw for 3 touchdowns and 276 yards. Etling talked about what Coach Orgeron said at halftime…
cut 17 (10) “…pretty nice”
Etling threw two long touchdown passes, one to DJ Chark and the other to Malachi Dupre. And there’s a report that Leonard Fournette is expected to return to action for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss.

There are reports out of Monroe that Warhawks quarterback Garrett Smith will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Smith was hurt in the win over Texas State. His back-up, Will Collins, came off the bench and threw two touchdown passes.

06:45 Sportscast, October 17th, 2016

The Saints finally have a winning streak. New Orleans raced out to a 21-0 lead over the defending NFC championship Carolina Panthers and had to hold for a 41-38 victory. The Saints led by two touchdowns at halftime and Carolina tied it with three touchdowns in the 4th quarter. But rookie Will Lutz kicked a 52-yard field goal with 11 seconds left for the win. Coach Sean Payton on their second consecutive victory…:
Cut 19 (11) “do that”
New Orleans next travels to Kansas City.

Former Jets defensive lineman Dennis Byrd was killed Saturday in a car accident. Byrd had one of the most inspirational stories in NFL history, best known for how he responded when his promising career came to a halt in ’92 during a game in which he was temporarily paralyzed. Doctors thought he’d never walk again, but Byrd defied the odds. He was 50 years old.

LSU and Southern Miss were tied at ten at halftime on Saturday night in Death Valley, but the Tigers erupted for four 3rd quarter touchdowns and defeated the Golden Eagles 45-10. Running back Derrius Guice’s 61 yard touchdown early in the third quarter started a very good second half for the Tigers…:
Cut 16 (13) “second half”
The second win under interim coach Ed Orgeron moves the Tigers back into the AP Top 25 at number 25.

Louisiana Tech put on an impressive offensive performance in Saturday’s 56-28 victory over Massachusetts. After leading his team to the victory, Bulldog Wide receiver Carlos Henderson has been names the Walker Camp Football Foundation’s National Player of the Week.

Southeastern Louisiana got a a 58-34 Southland Conference road victory over Stephen F. Austin. Nicholls State got by Houston Baptist 33-30. ULM beat Texas State 40-34. McNeese State was shutout by Central Arkansas 35-0.