Arkansas State scored 34 first half points and held on to defeat UL-Lafayette 37-27. Ragin Cajuns starting quarterback Jalen Nixon threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 201 yards and another touchdown. However Nixon was picked off twice by a Red Wolves defense that leads the FBS in interceptions. The Cajuns fall to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. UL-Lafayette will host in-state conference foe ULM Halloween night at Cajun Field.

Junior defensive end Lewis Neal is having a breakout season for the 5th ranked LSU Tigers. Neal has seven sacks and 30 tackles this season. In his first two seasons, he only had 10 tackles and zero sacks. Neal says he always knew he had the ability to produce

cut 17 (13) “stick to”

LSU will take on Western Kentucky Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

In the latest FCS coaches poll…McNeese State is still ranked ninth. Southeastern Louisiana and Grambling State are receiving votes in the poll. The Cowboys host Northwestern State this Saturday, while S-L-U is at Houston Baptist and Grambling hosts Mississippi Valley for homecoming.

The Pelicans will likely start the regular season without guard Tyreke Evans. The team announced that Evans had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday morning. No timetable has been set for Evans’ return. The Pels open their regular season Tuesday night on the road against defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.

In the Major League Baseball Playoffs, both League Championship Series are one game away from being decided. In the NLCS, the Mets have a commanding 3-games-to-nothing lead over the Cubs after last night’s 5-2 win. And in the ALCS, the Royals are one win away from the World Series after routing Toronto 14-2.

We are at about the halfway point of the college football season and the LSU Tigers are 6-0, but there are areas where they can improve. LSU has given up a bunch of big pass plays and Coach Les Miles says they are working to get that corrected…
cut 18 (12) “….to do”
Western Kentucky will be at Tiger Stadium on Saturday and they have an explosive offense.

The Ragin Cajuns will face Arkansas State in a Sun Belt contest that will be televised by ESPN 2 tonight. UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth hoping for another big game from quarterback Jalen Nixon who returned from injury and threw 238 yards and had four total touchdowns last time out…
cut 20 (11) “…other night”
UL Lafayette has won the last four times they’ve played on a Tuesday.

The Saints are back at practice tomorrow. We might get more information on what happened to assistant coach Joe Vitt. Colonel John Fortunado with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says Vitt injured himself as he was chasing after some car burglars. Fortunado says Vitt began chase after seeing a shadow run across his front lawn..
cut 30 (18) “…he received”
It’s been reported that Vitt injured his achilles and broke his wrist.

In the latest FCS coaches poll…McNeese State is still ranked ninth. Southeastern Louisiana and Grambling State are receiving votes. The Cowboys host Northwestern State this Saturday, while S-L-U is at Houston Baptist and Grambling hosts Mississippi Valley for homecoming.

Through six games this season, 5th ranked LSU has 17 sacks after recording just 19 sacks in 13 games last year. Coach Les Miles gives credit to first-year defensive line coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 17 (12) “…made a difference”
This Saturday, LSU hosts Western Kentucky for homecoming. Hilltoppers quarterback Brandon Doughty has averaged 387 yards through the air per game this season.

The Saints have made a change at kicker. Former Redskins kicker Kai Forbath has replaced Zach Hocker. Forbath was a Redskin from 2012 until earlier this year. He’s made 60 of his 69 field goal attempts.

It’s also being reported the Saints have signed wide receiver T-J Graham, who is a speedster out of North Carolina State. He’s played for three teams in five-year career. He had 54 catches in his first two seasons in Buffalo.

The Ragin Cajuns face Arkansas State tonight in a game that can be seen on ESPN Two. The Red Wolves are 3-and-3, 2-0 in the Sun Belt. The Cajuns won their Sun Belt opener and they are 2-3 overall. UL Lafayette has finally settled on a quarterback. Jalen Nixon threw for 238 yards and had four total touchdowns the last time out and Coach Mark Hudspeth hopes to see that kind of performance again…
cut 20 (11) “…other night”
Arkansas State has a talented quarterback, Fredi Knighten, threw for 344 yards last season against the Cajuns.

After losing to Mississippi State last Saturday, Louisiana Tech gets back into Conference USA play as they host Middle Tennessee. Both teams are 2-and-1 in league play.

In the latest FCS coaches poll…McNeese State is still ranked ninth. Southeastern Louisiana and Grambling State are receiving votes.

The Ragin Cajuns have a big Sun Belt Conference match-up tonight with Arkansas state. Coach Mark Hudspeth’s team has won the last four times they’ve played a regular season game on a Tuesday night…

cut 19 (19) “continues”

The Red Wolves comes in with a record of 3-and-3, 2-0 in the Sun Belt. The Cajuns won their Sun Belt opener and they are 2-3 overall. Kickoff is at 7PM and you can watch on ESPN2.

In NBA preseason action, Houston beat the Pelicans 120-100. Houston had six players score in double figures and outscored the Pels 40-13 in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson led all scorers with 23. Anthony Davis had the night off and did not play.

LSU Coach Les Miles is warning his team not to let its guard down against Saturday’s opponent, Western Kentucky. Miles says the 6-and-1 Hilltoppers should be ranked in the Top 25 and their quarterback Brandon Doughty, is good enough to play in the SEC…

cut 16 (17) “get your attention”

Doughty and the Western Kentucky offense will face an LSU defense that’s ranked 3rd in total defense.

In Monday Night Football action, the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the New York Giants 27-7. The Giants’ Eli Manning threw for 189 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Manning’s lone touchdown was a first quarter, 13 yard pass to former LSU standout Odell Beckham, Jr.

The Saints have reportedly released rookie kicker Zach Hocker. It’s reported that veteran kicker Kai Forbath will take Hocker’s place.

It looks like LSU has found a passing game. For a second straight week, Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris threw for over 200 yards. He threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers 35-28 win over Florida. Harris admits he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder…
cut 18 (11) “…can’t do”
Running back Leonard Fournette says he’s proud of the sophomore Q-B…
cut 17 (12) “…good overall”
It doesn’t look like Harris will have a chance to throw the football to tight end Dillon Gordon anymore this season. Coach Les Miles said today that Gordon is likely done for the season after suffering an injury after catching a pass against the Gators.

The Saints have reportedly released rookie kicker Zach Hocker after he missed a couple of field goals in New Orleans win over Atlanta last week. It’s been reported that Kai Forbath will take Hocker’s place. Forbath is 28-years-old and was released earlier this year by the Redskins. He’s made 87-percent of his field goals during his four-year career.

Tonight’s Monday night football game has the Giants visiting the Philadelphia Eagles. New York’s Odell Beckham is listed as questionable, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Giants are “encouraged” that the former LSU star will be able to play tonight.

And it looks like former LSU Tiger Zach Mettenberger will be playing very soon. Tennessee starting quarterback Marcus Mariota has suffered a sprained M-C-L after taking a low hit on Sunday. Mettenberger threw for 63 yards in relief during a 38-10 loss to Miami.

In the NBA…the Pelicans will take on the Houston Rockets tonight at 7 PM in preseason action.

LSU is the only team in the Southeastern Conference that’s still undefeated after beating Florida 35-28 on Saturday night. It was another Florida game that featured trick plays from LSU. Coach Les Miles called for kicker Trent Domingue to take a pitch from holder Brad Kragthorpe and Domingue did the rest, running 16 yards for the score on the fake field goal…
cut 16 (13) “…for sure”
LSU has its final nonconference game of the season this Saturday as they host Western Kentucky.

Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal has been named SEC defensive player of the week. He had ten tackles and three sacks versus the Gators. Senior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander was named SEC offensive lineman of the week as he posted 13 knockdowns and did not allow any sacks or pressures.

Sources say the Saints have released kicker Zach Hocker. The rookie from Arkansas missed two field goals in the win over Atlanta and he’s 9-of-13 for the season. New Orleans has reportedly signed veteran Kai Forbath.

The Saints next opponent is the Indianapolis Colts. New England beat the Colts 34-27 and Indy is 3-and-3 on the season.

Tonight’s Monday night football game has the Giants visiting the Philadelphia Eagles. New York’s Odell Beckham is listed as questionable, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Giants are “encouraged” that the former LSU star will be able to play tonight.

McNeese State’s Wallace Scott is the Southland Conference defensive player of the week for a third time this season. Scott had a 45-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the Cowboys 28-13 win over Central Arkansas.

Grambling State is still unbeaten in the SWAC after an emotional 35-34 win over Alcorn State. Tigers running back Martez Carter rushed for 133 yards and scored on a one-yard TD run in OT and then kicked the extra point.

It looks like LSU has found itself a passing game. Jeff Palermo has more on the Tigers 35-28 win over Florida…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU advances to No. 5 in both the AP Top 25 poll and the Coaches poll. Ohio State tops each poll followed by Baylor, Utah and TCU in the AP. This weekend’s Western Kentucky game will be the last contest before a bye week for LSU…then in November the Tigers face Alabama in Tuscaloosa, host Arkansas and travel to Ole Miss before the Texas A&M game in Death Valley.

Louisiana Lafayette and Arkansas State will face off tomorrow night at Centennial Bank Stadium. The 2-3 Ragin Cajuns are looking for their first road victory while the 3-3 Red Wolves seek to remain unbeaten in Sun Belt play.

Elsewhere around the state in college football action over the weekend, Grambling State knocked off the defending SWAC champions in their 35 to 34 victory over Alcorn State. GSU rallied from behind a 28-14 score at halftime to pick up the win in overtime.

Southeastern Louisiana was edged by Stephen F Austin, 28-27. Nicholls State got their 1st win of the season with a 38-17 victory over Houston Baptist Saturday. McNeese rallied to beat Central Arkansas 28-13. ULM fell 59-14 to Appalachian State. Louisiana Tech was up on Mississippi State 14-0 in the first quarter, but eventually fell to the other Bulldogs 45-20. Northwestern State topped Lamar 48-35.

The Pelicans continue the preseason tonight in Houston to face the Rockets. New Orleans opens the regular season October 27th at Golden State.

It will be a battle of the unbeatens on Saturday as the LSU Tigers face the Florida Gators in a matchup of two teams ranked in the top ten. But Florida will be without its starting quarterback. Will Grier has been suspended for taking a banned over the counter supplement, so Treon Harris will get the start for the Gators. Coach Les Miles says Harris is just as talented as Grier…
cut 30 (15) “…pocket presence”
Kick-off time on Saturday is at six PM and the game will be shown on ESPN.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva is set to get a one-year contract extension. The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote next Friday whether to extend his seal through June 30, 2020. According to university documents, Alleva’s base salary of 525-thousand dollars will stay the same.

LSU is not the only big college football game on Saturday….Louisiana Tech looks to pull off the upset as they visit Mississippi State. In the Southland Conference…McNeese State and Central Arkansas face off against each other. Both teams are undefeated in Southland Conference play. And Grambling State will battle Alcorn State in a match-up of two teams undefeated in the SWAC. Southern and Southeastern Louisiana celebrate homecoming this weekend.

The Saints convincing 31-21 win over Atlanta on Thursday night has the Who Dat nation thinking the Black and Gold can turn this season around. In the victory, there was a blocked punt for a touchdown, the defense forced three turnovers and quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards
cut 13 (10) “…pay off”
The Saints have the weekend off, they’ll be at Indianapolis on October 25th where they’ll play the Colts.

What a performance by the Saints last night as they took it to their NFC South Rival and handed Atlanta its first loss. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards for the 90th time in his career, running back Mark Ingram had two touchdown runs and the defense forced three turnovers in the Saints 31-21 victory. But the play of the game was Michael Mauti’s block punt for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 14-0 lead…
cut 30 (15) “…I’m enjoying it”
And Steve Gleason, who continues to bravely battle A-L-S was honored before the game as he received the George Halas Award.

In high school football tonight, there are some big games in Class 3-A. Lutcher visits St. James as these parish rivals meet for the first time since 2004, U-High hosts Parkview in a rematch of last year’s Division Two state title game, which was won by U-High.

After playing in front of a half-full stadium last week, there will be over 100-thousand screaming fans inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday for the top ten match-up between LSU and Florida. Tigers running back Leonard Fournette says he’s looking forward to it….
cut 14 (08) “…be crazy”
LSU is a seven-point favorite. The other big game in the SEC is in College Station as Texas A-and-M hosts Alabama. The Crimson Tide thrashed the Aggies 59 to 0 last year.

Mississippi State will host Louisiana Tech at 11 AM tomorrow. These two teams last met in 2011 and State won in overtime 26-20.

1-and-4 ULM will host Appalachian State on Saturday at six PM. These two teams played a nail bitter last year and it was won by the Mountaineers with a last minute field goal.

In the NBA…the Pelicans next preseason game is tomorrow night in Lexington, Kentucky as New Orleans will face Sacramento.

It all came together for the Saints last night as they upset the previously unbeaten Atlanta Falcons 31-21. The Black & Gold jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and never really looked back. Quarterback Drew Brees passed for 312 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Sean Payton praised the play of the Saints’ defense who forced three turnovers last night…

cut 24 (12) “from winning”

The Saints improve to 2-4 and will face Indianapolis October 25th.

In high school football action last night: Crowley squeaked past Lagrange 27-25, it was North Desoto over Shreveport Northwood 35-24, Vermilion Catholic blew past Central Catholic 48-30, and Woodlawn shut out Tara 56-0.

Veteran NBA point guard Nate Robinson has agreed to a non-guaranteed contract to join the Pelicans.

Leonard Fournette and the LSU Tigers will face eighth ranked Florida on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Last year, the Tigers beat the Gators 30-27, as Fournette rushed for, at that time, a career-high 140 yards and 225 all-purpose yards. The sophomore expects another tight contest in Death Valley…

cut 13 (07) “out and compete”

The game has a 6 o’clock kickoff and will be televised by ESPN.

In other college football action: Tulane takes on number 24 Houston tonight in Yulman Stadium. Saturday, Louisiana Tech faces Mississippi State, ULM hosts Appalachian State, Houston Baptist travels to Thibodaux to play Nicholls State, Northwestern State welcomes Lamar, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Stephen F. Austin, and McNeese looks to remain undefeated when they take on Central Arkansas.