The Saints have reportedly released running back CJ Spiller. Spiller was inactive for the season opener, even though he’s healthy. Coach Sean Payton said the game plan was the reason why Spiller didn’t play. Spiller never lived up to expectations in New Orleans after signing a four-year deal with the Black and Gold in 2015. His first season was injury plagued.

So is LSU football coach Les Miles surpised that he had to bench quarterback Brandon Harris after just five quarters. Miles says they scripted and rehearsed their first few plays going into the first two games of the season and he expected that Harris would play well…
cut 28 (08) “….fast”
Through two games, LSU has yet to score a point in the first quarter. Miles has yet to publically name a starter for Saturday’s SEC opener against Mississippi State. But the head coach expects running back Leonard Fournette to play and LSU will wear gold jerseys, with white pants.

The UL Lafayette football team is coming off a 30-22 win over McNeese State. In that game, the Cajuns rushed for 220 yards against the Cowboys. Here’s Coach Mark Hudspeth talking about his ground game…
cut 30 (19) “…FCS”:
Elijah McGuire led UL Lafayette’s run game with 139 yards. The Cajuns open Sun Belt play this Saturday by hosting South Alabama at 6 PM.

Not sure who will start at quarterback for the LSU Tigers this Saturday when they host Mississippi State. Danny Etling performed well in the 2nd quarter last weekend, sparking the Tigers to a 34-13 victory over Jacksonville State. Brandon Harris struggled against Wisconsin and in the first quarter against the Gamecocks. But Coach Les Miles has no regrets about not playing Etling against the Badgers. He says Etling was in a better position to take the field against Jacksonville State…
cut 17 (19) “…to improve”
Miles says Fournette’s health has improved enough and he expects his star running back to play against the Bulldogs. Kick-off is at 6 PM.

The Saints have signed a cornerback to replace the injured Delvin Breaux. B-W Webb has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with New Orleans. He’s 26-years-old and played for the Titans last season and his one career interception came against the Saints. Breaux is expected to miss the next six weeks because of a broken fibula.

Louisiana Tech’s Trent Taylor has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association offensive player of the week. Taylor had 11 catches for a career-high 178 yards in the Bulldogs weather delayed 53-24 win over South Carolina State. The state’s defensive player of the week is Kenny Doson of Nicholls State. The defensive lineman had five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble against Georgia. The Colonels host Incarnate Word for their Southland and home opener this Saturday.

In the high school football polls…Haynesville is the new number one ranked team in Class-A as a result of Southern Lab losing to University High. In Five-A…Brother Martin is still number one.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles is not revealing who will be the starting quarterback for Saturday’s SEC opener against Mississippi State. Danny Etling sparked the Tigers to a win over Jacksonville State last weekend, after Brandon Harris struggled in the first quarter. Miles was asked if Etling’s emergence on the field led to the team playing with a greater level of enthusiasm…:
Cut 16 (13) “the field”
Miles added that he’s confident star running back Leonard Fournette will be able to play this weekend.

The team will be wearing throwback “Gridiron Gold” uniforms for Saturday’s game against The Bulldogs in Tiger Stadium. Miles said Monday that the new unis are part of LSU’s annual Gold Game, and they will feature the Old Gold jerseys with the same color LSU wore in the 1940s. The throwback uniforms will also include a vintage block “L” logo on right hip of the pants.

In the Louisiana Sports Writers Association honors, The Offensive Player of the Week is Louisiana Tech wide receiver Trent Taylor. He caught 11 passes for a career-high 178 yards and three touchdowns in a win over South Carolina State.

The LSWA Defensive Player of the Week honor goes to Nicholls State lineman Kenny Dotson. He forced a fumble that led to The Colonels first touchdown in a near win for Nicholls at Georgia.

The Special Teams Player of the Week is LSU’s Tre’Davious White. He had a winding, 60 yard punt return for a touchdown in the Tigers’ win over Jacksonville State.

Saints Coach Sean Payton told WWL-Radio in New Orleans that he felt the team did all the things they needed to in the first half of the disappointing loss to the Raiders, but fell apart in the 3rd and 4th quarters…:
CUT 1 (12) “close those type of games out”
New Orleans will play The Giants on the road Sunday at noon.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles is not ready to say to the public who will start at quarterback this Saturday against Mississppi State. He did say that they’ll need both quarterbacks, Brandon Harris and Danny Etling, to play in every game.

Etling replaced Harris in the second quarter last Saturday and helped lead the Tigers to a 34-13 win over Jacksonville State. Derrius Guice, who filled in for the injured Leonard Fournette and rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown, noticed that LSU played better with Etling at the controls…
cut 18 (16) “…it together”
Miles says running back Leonard Fournette will be back for Saturday’s SEC opener against Mississippi State.

The Saints best cornerback, Delvin Breaux, will miss the next six weeks because of a broken fibula. Coach Sean Payton confirmed the injury during his morning press conference. Breaux was hurt in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Raiders. Running back CJ Spiller was a healthy scratch for that game. Payton says Spiller was inactive because they thought Travaris Cadet would have a big role in the game.

Louisiana Tech senior wide receiver Trent Taylor has been named Conference USA Offensive player of the week. Taylor had 11 catches for a career-high 178 yards in the victory over South Carolina State.

Grambling State had a 21-3 lead at halftime over Arizona, but ended up losing to the Wildcats 31-21. Tigers wide receiver Chad Williams was named SWAC offensive player of the week for his efforts. Williams had 13 catches for 152 yards.

Nicholls Sophomore defensive lineman Kenny Dotson was named Southland Defensive Player of the Week as he had five tackles and a sack in the narrow loss to Georgia.

For the first time since 2014, LSU quarterback Danny Etling threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score in a college football game in the Tigers 34-13 win over Jacksonsville State. Etling arrived on LSU’s campus last year after transferring in from Purdue. He lost his starting job at the Big Ten School and understands the demands of the quarterback position…
cut 17 (17) “…keep rolling”
This Saturday, LSU hosts Mississippi State.

Nicholls nearly pulled off the biggest upset of the weekend in college football as they fell to ninth ranked Georgia 26-24. Sophomore defensive lineman Kenny Dotson was named Southland Defensive Player of the Week as he had five tackles and a sack.

The Saints have started the 2016 season with an 0-1 record after the Black and Gold couldn’t hang on to a two touchdown lead and fell to the Raiders 35-34. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the defense gave up numerous big plays in the 4th quarter to allow Oakland to score 22 points near the end of the game. Coach Sean Payton says he was disappointed with his defense, but the offense also takes some of the blame…
cut 20 (17) “…played today”
New Orleans will try to get win number one next Sunday when they visit the New York Giants. The G-Men edged Dallas 20-19 in their season opener as New Orleans native Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes.

Two back-ups led the LSU Tigers to a 34-13 win over Jacksonville State for the Bayou Bengals first victory of the season. Quarterback Danny Etling came off the bench for an ineffective Brandon Harris and on his first drive connected with DeSean Smith on a 46-yard touchdown pass. Etling says he was ready for his opportunity…:
Cut 16 (08) “succeed”
Etling ended up throwing for 100 yards, all of it came in the 2nd quarter. He also had a rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

Elsewhere around the state in college football, High scoring game between Tulane and Southern. The Jags fell to the Green Wave 66-21. UL-Lafayette got by McNeese State 30-22. Arizona beats Grambling 31-21. Southern Utah held on for a 28-23 win on Saturday night over Southeastern. Louisiana Tech downs South Carolina State 53-24.

A couple of more state college football scores: ULM fell to the Sooners 59-17. Close good game between Nicholls State and Georgia. The Cowboys barely fell to the Bulldogs 26-24.

The Saints fail to preserve a two-touchdown lead in the 2nd half and lose to the Oakland Raiders 35-34 in the season opener. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the defense gave up numerous big plays in the 4th quarter to allow Oakland to score 22 points in the 4th quarter. Brees says it was one of those games that could have gone either way…:
Cut 19 (13) “different”
The Saints travel to face the Giants on Sunday.

The LSU Board of Supervisors defers a proposal that would give Football Coach Les Miles an additional 100-thousand dollars if the Tigers reach the national championship game. Miles is taking a lot of criticism for how LSU played in the season opening loss to Wisconsin and Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it appears the LSU Board is not ready to discuss any aspects of his contract…
cut 16 (09) “….those changes”
In other board action, they approved a contract extension and raise for baseball coach Paul Mainieri, giving him a salary of over one-million dollars.

It’s a game time decision on whether running back Leonard Fournette will play in tomorrow night’s home opener against Jacksonville State. That’s what Miles said in a video that’s been posted on the school’s website. Miles said earlier this week Fournette suffered a contusion on his lower leg in the Wisconsin game.

The Saints head into Sunday’s season opener against Oakland a relatively healthy team. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is the the only player who has been ruled out with a hip injury. And he won’t admit, but this is a big game for Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. He was the head coach of the Raiders from 2012 to 2014.

Ryan Higgins will start at quarterback for Louisiana Tech when the Bulldogs host South Carolina state tomorrow night. Higgins did not play in the season opener, because he was suspended for the start of the game for a DWI arrest. It will be Higgins first start since 2013.

ULM hits the road for the first time this season as they visit Oklahoma.

In the Southland Conference…McNeese State faces its I-10 rival U-L Lafayette. In the last meeting between these two teams, the Cowboys beat the Cajuns in 2007. Nicholls kicks off its season at ninth ranked Georgia and Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern Utah.

In the SWAC…Grambling has a tough test as they are at Arizona, while Southern visits Tulane.

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.