It’s been a rough week for the LSU football program as fans and analysts have been very critical of the Tigers season opening loss to Wisconsin. LSU is back in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night as they host Jacksonville State and fullback JD Moore says they are eager to play well in front of the home fans….
cut 17 (20) “…cheer about”
Last night in college football…Northwestern State lost its Southland opener as the Demons fell to Incarnate Word 21-18.

Tonight, Shaquille O’ Neal is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Two great high school school games at Independence Stadium in Shreveport….John Curtis versus West Monroe at 6 PM and Evangel is at Neville at 8:30.

After not playing in the season opener against Arkansas, Louisiana Tech’s Ryan Higgins will make his first start since 2013 when the Bulldogs host South Carolina State. J’Mar Smith started last week and nearly led the Bulldogs to an upset victory over Arkansas.

Nicholls is at Georgia on Saturday and the Bulldogs have decided to start Jacob Eason at quarterback. He’s the last true freshman to start for the Dawgs since Matthew Stafford.

ULM is at 14th ranked Oklahoma tomorrow night. Warhawks quarterback Garrett Smith played well in a win over Southern last week as he threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 150 yards and another score. Coach Matt Viator says the sophomore from Texas needs to keep progressing…
cut 20 (15) “…to improve”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

After a humbling loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in Green Bay, LSU returns to Tiger Stadium tomorrow night to host Jacksonville State. Fullback JD Moore says the Tigers learned from their mistakes and they are ready to show what kind of team they can be…:
Cut 16 (13) “they’ve made”
Kickoff is at 6:30.

Elsewhere around the state this weekend, Nicholls State is at Georgia. Louisiana Tech hosts South Carolina State. UL-Lafayette hosts in-state rival McNeese State. Southern travels to New Orleans to face Tulane. Southeastern is at South Utah and Grambling is at Arizona. We’ll preview ULM’s game after this.

It was quite a Super Bowl rematch last night, as the NFL season opened with the Broncos edging the Panthers after missing a field goal. Denver squeaked by with a 21-20 win over Carolina.

ULM can match last year’s win total if they can pull of an upset against the 14th ranked Sooners on Saturday night in Norman, Oklahoma. ULM beat Southern last week, while Oklahoma fell to Houston. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator knows the Sooners will be hungry for a win, but he’s more interested in his team’s performance…:
Cut 19 (15) “try to do”
The game kicks off tomorrow at 6.

Even though he re-signed with the Saints on Wednesday, offensive guard Jahri Evans expects to play Sunday in the regular season opener against Oakland. The five-time All-Pro returned to the team, after he was released by New Orleans seven months ago. Evans says it’s awesome to be back and he’s ready to contribute…:
Cut 18 (13) “out there”
The game kicks off at noon on Fox.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will remain with the Black and Gold through the 2017 season. He’s agreed to a contract extension that pays him 44 million dollars in guaranteed money. The future hall of famer remains one of the highest paid players in the game…:
CUT 18 (10) “they do”
The deal also gives the Saints 13-million dollars in salary cap relief, so the team can make additional roster moves this season.

One of those roster moves is the return of five-time All-Pro guard Jahri Evans. The Saints cut Evans seven months ago in a salary cap move, but Evans couldn’t stick with another team and the Black and Gold has had their issues along the offensive line during the preseason. Evans is listed as a starter on the team’s depth chart heading into Sunday’s regular season opener against Oakland.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles says as far as he knows, running back Leonard Fournette will play in Saturday’s home opener against Jacksonville State, but declined to say whether Fournette has practiced this week. The Heisman Hopeful suffered a contusion on his lower leg towards the end of the Wisconsin game.

ULM is at 14th ranked Oklahoma on Saturday night. Warhawks quarterback Garrett Smith played well in a win over Southern last week as he threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 150 yards and another score. We’ll see how he does against a Sooners defense that struggled in a loss to Houston.

Nicholls kicks off its season on Saturday against 9th ranked Georgia. The Colonels return nine starters on defense and they’ll look to contain Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb who rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns against North Carolina.

Tonight…it’s the Southland opener for Northwestern State as they host Incarnate Word at six PM. The Cardinals beat the Demons 45-31 last year.

Quarterback Drew Brees will be the Saints quarterback for at least two more seasons after agreeing to a new contract that will pay him 44-million dollars for the next two years. The 37-year-old Q-B has said he can play for another five years, but didn’t want to force the Saints to sign him to a contract that ate up a lot of the salary cap for the next several years…
cut 17 (15) “….build the team”

LSU Coach Les Miles is not saying whether running back Leonard Fournette has been practicing this week after taking a hit to his lower leg towards the end of the Wisconsin game. Miles did say on Monday that Fournette suffered a contusion. The head coach also says back-up Danny Etling could get some snaps under a couple situations in Saturday night’s game.

Looking ahead to the weekend of college football…ULM rushed for 325 yards in its win over Southern. That’s the most rushing yards the Warhawks have produced since 2013. This Saturday, ULM goes up against Oklahoma, who allowed 89 yards on the ground in a loss to Houston.

Tulane and the Ragin Cajuns are both home this Saturday, facing in-state foes. UL Lafayette hosts McNeese State. Slot receiver Gary Haynes returns to the field for the Cajuns, after serving a one-game suspension. The Green Wave hosts Southern. Tulane would like to get its passing game going after throwing for just 134 yards in a 7-3 loss to Wake Forest.

Northwestern State hosts Incarnate Word in a Southland Conference matchup tonight at 6 PM on the American Sports Network. Both teams lost non-conference season openers last week. The Demons have played well under coach Jay Thomas at Turpin Stadium, where they are 11-4 in the last three seasons.

Quarterback Drew Brees will remain the Saints signal caller through at least the 2017 season as a result of a contract extension that pays him 44-million dollars over the next two years. The deal also gives the Saints 13-million dollars in salary cap relief, so the team can make additional roster moves this season. Brees says he wanted to sign a deal that was a win-win..:
Cut 16 (14) “at a championship”
According to ESPN, Brees will receive 20-million dollars this season and 24-million dollars next year.

The Black and Gold has reportedly re-signed Jahri Evans. The guard had spent 10 seasons with the Saints, but later signed with Seattle who cut him this past weekend. It’s also reported that Saints quarterback Garrett Grayson is out. So it’ll be Luke McCown for the backup quarterback job.

The 2016 NFL season begins tonight and the matchup will feature the same two teams that closed out last year. The 2015 Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and Von Miller take on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

LSU wants fans heading to the home opener against Jacksonville State this weekend to know there are parking changes ahead for this season. As always they encourage you to arrive early in order to help reduce traffic. Fans should visit lsusports.net/parking for updates, reminders and suggested routes to campus. Tiger Stadium is also “going clear” — only clear tote bags smaller than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches will be allowed inside. The NFL has the same policy.

The NBA unveiled the logo for the All-Star game that will be held in New Orleans, and it features a lot of Big Easy flavor. It’s got the same navy blue and red as the Pelicans and a similar ironwork border around a fleur-de-lis. The game will take place at the Smoothie King Center on February 19th.

The Saints and Quarterback Drew Brees have agreed to a contract extension…
cut 30 (12) “…bit longer”
The new deal keeps Brees with the Black and Gold through at least the 2017 season and it guarantees him 44-million dollars.

A lot of blame is going around, when it comes to why LSU struggled to score points against Wisconsin. The offensive line didn’t provide much time for Brandon Harris to throw or create running lanes for Leonard Fournette. But Coach Les Miles is optimistic that unit will get better. He says injuries during preseason camp, kept them from gelling…
cut 20 (20) “…good line”
LSU hosts Jacksonville State on Saturday night.

UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth was disappointed with the play of his defense in the 45-10 loss to Boise State and fired defensive coordinator Melvin Smith. But he was pleased with quarterback Anthony Jennings, who accounted for 204 of the Cajuns 267 yards on offense. Hudspeth liked how Jennings played with poise…
cut 17 (17) “….we’re doing”

LSU’s live tiger mascot will stay in his habitat during home football games this season. In light of his recent cancer diagnosis, officials will not attempt to load Mike into his trailer. Ginger Guttner with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says Mike’s radiation treatment on his tumor has had a positive impact, but unfortunately the Tiger remains terminally ill and has up to two years to live.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles says starting quarterback Brandon Harris should not get 100-percent of the blame for the problems the offense had in the opening season loss to Wisconsin. Miles says the receivers also failed to catch the ball at times…
cut 19 (15) “…we can fix”
Miles also added that waiting for Harris to mature can’t last forever and back-up Danny Etling is a consideration.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says allowing big pass plays and the lack of turnovers led to the decision to fire defensive coordinator Melvin Smith after a 45-10 loss to Boise State. Hudspeth says he owed to the seniors to give them an opportunity to have a great season…
cut 16 (15) “…be successful’
The Cajuns host instate rival McNeese State on Saturday.

There’s a lot going on with the Saints today. Reports indicate Quarterback Drew Brees is close to a four-year deal worth about 100-million dollars. The team has reportedly released Q-B Garrett Grayson, who was drafted last season. Also, veteran offensive guard Jahri Evans is back after the Saints released him in February after a 10-year run with the Black and Gold. .

Students at Eden Park Elementary in Baton Rouge had a welcome surprise when New Orleans Saints Punter Thomas Morstead and First Lady Donna Edwards showed up to deliver 500 backpacks filled with school supplies following the historic flood….:
Cut 10 (10) “the flooding”
Morstead says some 6-thousand backpacks will be distributed throughout Baton Rouge.

And former NFL center, LSU Tiger and Leesville Wampus Cat, Kevin Mawe, has been hired as an assistant offensive line coach by the Chicago Bears.

LSU Coach Les Miles is not making any major changes on offense for Saturday’s home opener against Jacksonville State. Miles is moving offensive coordinator Cam Cameron from the sidelines to the press box and he’ll call plays from above the field. The head coach is not making a change at quarterback, but wants Brandon Harris to be more accurate…:
Cut 18 (18) “get you yards”
Miles says Cameron will be moving back up to the press box because they need more information from the press box. The game kicks off Saturday night in Tiger Stadium at 6:30pm. LSU fell 15 spots in the AP Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday. The Tigers went from No. 5 to No. 21.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says the decision to fire defensive coordinator Melvin Smith gave him indigestion and heartburn, but it was a move that needed to be made after the team gave up 584 yards in a 45-10 loss to Boise State. Hudspeth says there was no reason to wait any longer to make a move…:
Cut 16 (15) “be successful”
Hudspeth says he is however encouraged by the play of quarterback Anthony Jennings.

The LSU men’s basketball team will open SEC play on Thursday, Dec. 29 against the Vanderbilt Commodores. The 2016-2017 SEC schedule was released on Tuesday by the league office.

LSU says fans should not expect to see Mike VI in Tiger Stadium during home football games for the 2016 season, due to his recent cancer diagnosis.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles spoke today for the first time since Saturday’s surprising 16-14 defeat to Wisconsin. Miles summed up the mood of his team…
cut 30 (14) “…go forward”
At this point, moving offensive coordinator Cam Cameron back to the press box to call plays is the biggest change Miles is making. The head coach says they still believe quarterback Brandon Harris can get the job done, but back-up Danny Etling is always a consideration. Also, no plans to make changes on the offensive line. He says it’s a unit that can play better and they are not where they need to be, because of minor injuries that had them sidelined during parts of fall camp. LSU looks to take out some of their frustations on Saturday night against Jacksonville State in the home opener.

The Saints continue to make some roster moves, including the release of 32-year-old cornerback Cortland Finnegan. New Orleans is also making a change at kicker. The team has signed Will Lutz and released Kai Forbath. Lutz is a rookie, who was recently released by the Ravens. NFL-dot-com’s Ian Rapoport reports the Saints decided to sign Lutz after getting a good recommendation from Baltimore.

Gene Ponti with K-T-V-E TV in Monroe is reporting that former LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle had a workout with the Saints. Randle was let go by the Eagles two weeks ago.

McNeese State, who is ranked 10th in the latest F-C-S poll, is not sure what they’ll see from U-L Lafayette on Saturday. That’s because the Cajuns have a new defensive coordiantor. Former Southeastern Louisiana head coach Mike Lucas takes over for the fired Melvin Smith.

LSU men’s basketball released its SEC schedule today. The Tigers tip-off their league schedule at home on December 29th against Vanderbilt. The Tigers will visit Kentucky on February seventh.

There’s a lot of blame to go around for the way the LSU Tigers played in the season opening loss to the Wisconsin Badgers. A lot of criticism has fallen on the shoulders of quarterback Brandon Harris. Former LSU offensive lineman and W-W-L sports talk show host T-Bob Hebert says it’s important for the junior signal caller to ignore the negative comments about his play…
cut 17 (08) “…at hand”
The Tigers had just 257 yards of total offense against Wisconsin and LSU will not have starting guard Josh Boutte for the home opener against Jacksonville State. He’s been suspended one game by Coach Les Miles for his clothesline on a Wisconsin player in the final minute of the game.

Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will miss at least the first eight games of the season as he was placed on injured reserve with broken fibula.

According to CBSSports.com, the Saints and Quarterback Drew Brees are discussing a new contract ahead of the start of the regular season. The report indicates Brees has been seeking a 4 year deal worth $100 million dollars and doesn’t want to negotiate after the season starts.

ULM quarterback Garrett Smith has been named the offensive player of the week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Smith had 358 total yards in a 38-21 win over Southern.

Louisiana Tech safety Xavier Woods has been named the Conference USA defensive player of the week. The former West Monroe star had an interception and tied a career-high with 10 tackles as the Bulldogs nearly upset Arkansas.

McNeese State, who beat Tarleton State 33-3, is ranked 10th in the FCS Coaches Poll and 11th in the STATS poll.

In the latest high school football polls, here’s your number one ranked teams…Brother Martin, Neville, Lutcher, Notre Dame and Southern Lab.