The 5th ranked LSU Tigers will kick-off the season on Saturday against an unranked Wisconsin squad, who will start a fifth year senior quarterback. Twenty-three-year-old Bart Houston is set to make his first collegiate start and LSU Coach Les Miles says he’s a talented kid from California…:
Cut 18 (10) “with the ball”
LSU running back Leonard Fournette enters this game 13 rushing yards shy of reaching three-thousand for his career. He will likely become the fastest player in school history to three-thousand rushing yards.

Fans going to the game at historic Lambeau Field are being reminded of the stadium’s carry in policy. It’s the same as every NFL stadium meaning only bags or purses allowed inside must be clear plastic and no larger than 12x6x12. Kickoff between the Tigers and Badgers is set for 2:30 p.m.

Redshirt freshman J’mar Smith gets the nod over Price Wilson and Smith will start at quarterback for Louisiana Tech this Saturday when they kick-off the season at Arkansas. Coach Skip Holtz on how he arrived to the decision for Smith to start against the Hogs..:
Cut 16 (19) “three weeks”
Smith is taking the place of Ryan Higgins as the starting quarterback. Higgins will not start because he was arrested on DWI charges before the start of fall camp.

Grambling State football coach Broderick Fobbs announced that wide receiver Chad Williams is suspended for the season opener against Virginia University of Lynchberg. Williams was arrested last May and charged with possession of marijuana and guns.

LSU is into game week preparations as they’ll face Wisconsin this Saturday at 2:30 in Lambeau Field. The Badgers were 10-3 last season and Tigers safety Jamal Adams calls the Big 10 school, a smart, well coached football team…
cut 18 (12) “…dialed in”
Coach Les Miles says Wisconsin has playmakers on the defensive side of the football and they were very tough to score on last year…
cut 30 (13) “…268 yards”
But Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator last year, is now LSU’s defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, who will be on the sidelines to start the year, along with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Graduate assistants will be up in the press box on gamedays.

Louisiana Tech Head Football Coach Skip Holtz said today that redshirt freshman J’mar Smith will start at quarterback when the Bulldogs visit Arkansas on Saturday. Smith was a three-star recuit coming out of Mississippi and he’s filling in for Ryan Higgins, who will not start, after he was arrested on D-W-I charge right before the start of preseason camp.

Grambling State football coach Broderick Fobbs announced that wide receiver Chad Williams is suspended for the season opener against Virginia University of Lynchberg. Williams was arrested last May and charged with possession of marijuana and guns.

Saints Coach Sean Payton said today that they may move struggling offensive lineman Andrus Peat to left guard. Payton says when they drafted Peat in the first round, they envisioned he would play on the right side, but so far during this preseason, it isn’t working out, so he may move to left guard. New Orleans final preseason game is Thursday night at home against Baltimore.

Will we see LSU players do the “Lambeau Leap” at Lambeau Field? The Tigers and Wisconsin Badgers are playing at the historic venue this Saturday and when Green Bay Packer players score, they usually jump into the stands to celebrate with the fans. LSU safety Jamal Adams says he might do the Lambeau Leap if he returns an interception for a touchdown…
cut 17 (11) “….out of me”
The last time LSU opened the season in Big Ten country was in 1977 when Charlie McCLendon’s Tigers lost to Lee Corso’s Indiana Hoosier by the score of 24-21.

Last year’s starting quarterback at McNeese State, Daniel Sams, has been arrested by Lake Charles police for his alleged role in a fatal home invasion on August 12th. Sams bond has been set at 200-thousand dollars.

The Saints who are winless in the preseason have one more exhibition game left and it’s this Thursday at home against Baltimore. Coach Sean Payton says they have two weeks left before the first regular season game and there’s still time to correct the mistakes that are being made…
cut 20 (19) “…one game”
Payton told reporters today he’s considering moving second-year offensive lineman Andrus Peat to left guard. Peat played left tackle and left guard last season and hasn’t adjusted to right guard as quickly as the coaches wanted.

Former Saints tight end Benjamin Watson is likely out for the season after tearing achilles tendon. Former Louisiana Tech star Kenneth Dixon was also injured in that game. The rookie Ravens running back injured his M-C-L in his knee and is it out at least four weeks.

Game week arrives for the 5th ranked LSU Tigers as they are set to face Wisconsin in Green Bay at historic Lambeau Field. It’s the first time the legendary venue will host a college football game featuring two Division One teams. LSU safety Jamal Adams is excited to play in a stadium that has been home to some of the best players in football…:
Cut 16 (14) “leave our mark”
The game kicks off Saturday at 2:30 and will be televised by ABC.

Former MCNeese State Quarterback, 23-year-old Daniel Sams of Lake Charles, becomes the 4th person to be arrested in connection with the murder of former McNeese defensive back Aaron Javone Sam. The group is suspected of all being a part of a home invasion on August 12th. Sams faces charges of accessory after the fact to the charges.

There’s one more week left in the preseason and there’s still a lot to work on for the Saints. The team fell to 0-3 in exhibition action with a 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh on Friday. Coach Sean Payton says the play of offensive and defensive lines has him most worried…:
Cut 19 (12) “very concerning”
The Saints have one more preseason game and that’s Thursday night at home against Baltimore.

Also in the NFL, former LSU offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins was placed on injured reserve by the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Steelers Depot. Hawkins, a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, injured his a shoulder a few weeks ago and tried to rehab it unsuccessfully. He will sit out the season. Former New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson suffered a season-ending injury in a preseason game for the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

Louisiana Radio Network Sports, I’m Emelie Gunn…

The Saints fell to 0-3 in preseason action last night with a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh took control of the game with two touchdowns in the first quarter as the Saints defense couldn’t do much against the Steelers first unit.

Coach Sean Payton said after the game that his biggest concerns are that the defense is not generating much of a pass rush, while New Orleans didn’t do enough to protect the quarterback. Drew Brees was 9-of-12 for 78 yards and a touchdown. Garrett Grayson was intercepted twice. Tim Hightower was the leading Saints rusher with 27 yards and Willie Snead was the leading receiver with four grabs for 58 yards.

Starting offensive tackle Terron (Tur-ron) Armstead left the game with an undisclosed injury and Payton said they’ll provide an update at a later date. The preseason ends on Thursday at home against Baltimore.

 
Bad news for LSU quarterback commitment Lowell Narcisse (Lo-well Nar-cease). The St. James quarterback tore his ACL for a second time. It occurred during the Wildcats jamboree. He tweeted out that an MRI showed he tore the ACL in his left knee. Narcisse tore the ACL in his right knee during the spring game in 2015, but still came back that season to help St. James reach the state championship game.

Former University High of Baton Rouge golfer Patrick Reed has a two stroke lead after two rounds at the Barclays in Farmingdale, New York. Reed is a four-time winner on the P-G-A Tour, but hasn’t won a trophy this year.

Nicholls State ends fall camp this morning with a scrimmage inside John L Guidry Stadium at nine AM. The scrimmage will be around 90 plays.

Preseason camp is over for ULM. First-year coach Matt Viator believes his team has progressed a lot over the course of camp. The Warhawks return to the practice field tomorrow night.

The Mercedes Benz Superdome hosts its first football game of the season tonight as the Saints take on the Steelers in preseason action. Pittsburgh will present a good challenge for New Orleans’ defense as the Steelers are expected to play their offensive stars, Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown. After this game, the Saints will have to reduce their roster from 90 players to 75.

There’s been shuffling along the LSU offensive line during the preseason, but Ethan Pocic has remained the man at center. Tackle Toby Weathersby says Pocic’s presence makes the rest of the line play better…
cut 30 (15) “…myself feel better”
Pocic was named to the coaches All-SEC preseason first team.

Northwestern State Head Coach Jay Thomas announces former UL Lafayette quarterback Brooks Haack will start at QB when the Demons open the season a week from tonight against Baylor. Thomas says junior Joel Bumenthal will also get some snaps against the Bears.

McNeese State is ranked 11th in the Hero Sports preseason top 25 poll. Hero Sports covers FCS football and they have North Dakota State ranked number and Sam Houston State is ranked second. The Cowboys open the season next Saturday at home against Tarleton State.

Nicholls State ends fall camp tomorrow morning with a scrimmage inside John L Guidry Stadium at nine AM. The scrimmage will consist of about 90 plays in various situations such as third-down, first-down and goal line.

Preseason camp is over for ULM. First-year coach Matt Viator believes his team has progressed a lot over the course of the camp. The team will return to the practice field on Sunday night to prepare for the season opener against Southern.

The Saints third preseason game of the year is tonight as New Orleans host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This should be a good test for the Black and Gold’s defense as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown are all expected to play for the Steelers. Plus, the Saints o-line would like to put together a better performance than they did last week.

The biggest position battle during LSU’s fall camp has been the offensive line. Sophomore Toby Weathersby, who started just one game last season, could be the starter at right tackle next Saturday. Weathersby says he learned a lot from that start against Ole Miss…
cut 30 (18) “…roll now”

Wisconsin has named fifth-year senior Bart Houston as the Badgers starting quarterback for the season opening contest against LSU at Lambeau Field. Houston hasn’t played much during his career in Madison, but threw for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against Illinois last season.

Northwestern State Head Coach Jay Thomas has named former Ragin Cajuns QB Brooks Haack as the Demons starting quarterback. Thomas says Haack has been consistent in practice every day and his play has improved as he became more comfortable with the playbook. Northwestern starts the season a week from tonight against Baylor.

The Cleveland Browns have traded linebacker Barkevious Mingo of West Monroe to the New England Patriots for a 2017 fifth-round pick. The Browns selected Mingo with the No. 6 pick in 2013. The former LSU standout has recorded just seven sacks in three seasons and spent much of last season on special teams.

In preseason action last night…former Haughton and Mississippi State star Dak Prescott threw for 116 yards and a touchdown in Dallas 27-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Saints offensive line has taken a lot of criticism for how its played in the preseason and it has the Who Dat nation worried. New Orleans only had 57 total yards in the first half last week against Houston, and quarterback Drew Brees said after the game he had consistent pressure in his face. But Brees says he still has faith in his o-line…:
CUT 30 (25) “it’s supposed to go”
Brees believes you’ll see better results in Friday’s preseason contest against Pittsburgh.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette returned to practice Thursday. He’s been out since spraining his ankle during a scrimmage last Tuesday. Les Miles was not available to reporters after practice, but ESPN reported that Fournette practiced in a “limited capacity.”

Six LSU football players made the cut for the Rotary Lombardi Award Preliminary Watch List Thursday. According to LSU Athletics, Kendell Beckwith, Leonard Fournette, Davon Godchaux, Arden Key, Lewis Neal and Ethan Pocic made the final cut. Those players were among 158 candidates.

The Cleveland Browns are trading disappointing linebacker Barkevious Mingo to the New England Patriots for a 2017 fifth-round pick. The Browns selected Mingo with the No. 6 pick in 2013. The former LSU standout has recorded just seven sacks in three seasons and spent much of last season on special teams.

In other NFL news…the Detroit Lions have released former LSU running back Stevan Ridley. And a state judge has sentenced former Saints star Darren Sharper to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping women. The sentence is two years longer than a federal sentence Sharper recently received on the same charges.

The LSU women’s basketball team released it’s non-conference schedule yesterday and the Lady Tigers will begin the season on November 11th by hosting Louisiana Tech.

LSU has 13 players on the 2016 Preseason Coaches All-Southeastern Conference football team. The voting was done by the league’s coaches. First-team selections are Leonard Fournette, Ethan Pocic, Kendell Beckwith and Tre’Davious White. The second-team selections are William Clapp, Malachi Dupre, Davon Godchaux, Arden Key and Jamal Adams. Brandon Harris is on the third, along with Derrius Guice, Travin Dural and Lewis Neal.

Former LSU Tiger Barkevious Mingo has been traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Patriots. Mingo was the sixth overall pick by Cleveland in 2013, but has recorded just seven sacks in his three seasons as a Brown.

In other NFL news…the Detroit Lions have released former LSU running back Stevan Ridley. And a state judge has sentenced former Saints star Darren Sharper to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping women. The sentence is two years longer than a federal sentence Sharper recently received on the same charges.

In major league baseball today….former LSU Tiger Mikie Mahtook ended an 0-for-34 slump with a go-ahead double in the seventh as the Rays held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1. Mahtook also made a nice throw in the eighth to nab Mookie Betts as he tried to stretch a single into a double.

The LSU women’s basketball team released it’s non-conference schedule today and the Lady Tigers will begin the season on November 11th by hosting Louisiana Tech. Nine days later, LSU will host the defending champs, UCONN on November 20th.

Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari will donate proceeds from a charity softball game to flood victims in Louisiana. The coach says his foundation is teaming up with the American Red Cross to help flood victims. Calipari says Pelicans star and former Kentucky standout Anthony Davis made the suggestion to give the proceeds to those hurt by the flooding in Louisiana.

The LSU Tigers have 13 players on the preseason coaches All-Southeastern Conference Football team. Running back Leonard Fournette and center Ethan Pocic are on the offense’s first-team. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith and cornerback Tre’Davious White are on the first team. Making the second and third teams are Will Clapp, Malachi Dupre, Davon Godchaux, Arden Key, Jamal Adams, Brandon Harris, Derrius Guice, Travin Dural and Lewis Neal.

The Saints conclude training camp with a walk-thru today at the team’s training facility in Metairie. New Orleans has been able to survive training camp, with very few injuries. The biggest name to go down is defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and he’s expected back soon after the regular season starts.

If the Saints and Quarterback Drew Brees are going to agree to a contract extension, it has to come before the start of the regular season. Brees says there’s nothing to new report on that end and has said he doesn’t want to talk about a new contract after the regular season begins.