The Saints are 0-and-3 in the preseason after losing to Houston 27-13 yesterday. Penalties continue to be a problem for the Black and Gold. They were flagged 11 times for 148 yards. Pressuring the quarterback is also an issue. Just one sack by the defense, the first of the preseason. Coach Sean Payton says they still have time to work on these issues out…
cut 30 (12) “…stand out”
The Saints wrap up the preseason on Thursday night at Green Bay. They also have to make the first round of cuts by tomorrow afternoon.

Former Louisiana Tech kicker Josh Scobee has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Scobee is the Jaguars all-time leader scorer as he made 235 field goals during his 11 seasons in Jacksonville.

Game week has arrived for the Tigers as they kick-off the season against McNeese State this Saturday. In years past, LSU has opened the season against big name opponents, but senior associate athletics director Verge Ausberry says with Mississippi State and Auburn looming in Weeks two and three, they didn’t want to start the season with a Top 5 opponent…
cut 17 (05) “…to win”
Ausberry says it just happened to be LSU’s year to play of a couple of early SEC match-ups.

Here’s a look at the rest of the schedule for this weekend…Louisiana Tech hosts Southern. The Bulldogs are looking to repeat as Conference USA Western Division champs.

UL Lafayette travels to Kentucky. Last year, the Cajuns started 1-and-3.

Grambling is at California. ULM is at Georgia. Warhawks coach Todd Berry says senior linebacker Hunter Kissinger will not play because of a lower body injury.

And on Thursday…Tulane hosts Duke, while Southeastern Louisiana visits Northwestern State.

The Saints dropped to 0-3 for the preseason after Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Houston Texans. The Black and Gold defense was finally able to create a little bit of pressure and recorded their first sack of the preseason. But Head Coach Sean Peyton says penalties is one area the team needs to work on as they were flagged 11 times during the game…

cut 24 (16) “us a game”

The Saints’ final preseason game is Thursday at Green Bay before September 13th’s season opener at Arizona.

The Green Bay Packers have signed former UL Lafayette wide receiver James Butler. Butler caught 87 passes and had four touchdowns in 51 college games with the Ragin Cajuns. He’s been added to the team’s roster as the Packers need more wide receiver depth in the wake of Jordy Nelson’s season-ending injury.

The LSU football team opens its season against McNeese State this Saturday. Jeff Palermo looks at why the Tigers are beginning the year against an FCS school, and not a big-name opponent…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state’s college football season begins Thursday night when Northwestern State hosts Southeastern Louisiana in a Southland Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6PM and you can watch on the American Sports Network.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the school through the 2020 season.

LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron says he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he’s fine and his health is good. Cameron says he’s already had it treated….
cut 30 (06) “…ready to go”
Cameron says his treatment did not include radiation and received word two weeks ago that he is cancer free.

The Saints will face the Houston Texans on Sunday in preseason game number three. Coach Sean Payton says quarterback Drew Brees will only play a handful of downs. The Texans will feature a couple of former LSU running backs in the their backfield, rookie Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue. Kickoff in the Mercedes Benz Superdome is at 3 PM.

The Green Bay Packers have signed former UL Lafayette wide receiver James Butler. Butler caught 87 passes and had four touchdowns in 51 college games. He worked out for Green Bay earlier this week and has been added to the team’s roster as the Packers need more wide receiver depth in the wake of Jordy Nelson’s season-ending injury.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola improved to 5-and-1 on the season as he threw seven strong innings in the Phillies seven to one win over the Padres last night. Nola allowed just one run on two hits and struck out six. The right-hander from Baton Rouge has given only one run over his last two starts.

Another former LSU star, Kevin Gausman, also pitched last night, but the results were not as good. Gausman gave up four runs in 6.2 innings as his Orioles were defeated by Texas four to one.

UL Lafayette basketball coach Bob Marlin has signed a new five-year contract that will pay him 455-thousand dollars annually. Marlin also has a chance to make more money through bonuses.

Calvary Baptist football coach John Bachman Senior has taken a leave of absence. Bachman has led the Cavaliers to two straight championships. A reason for his leave of absence was not given by the school, but principal Rhonda Honea told the Shreveport Times that it was voluntary and shouldn’t last long.

Saturday marks the ten-year annivesary of Hurricane Katrina. It was the first season for Les Miles as the head coach of the LSU Tigers. Miles was proud with how his team responded by voluntering at the PMAC, which was used as a temporary medical facility. He says many of the players also opened up their campus apartments to evacuees…
cut 30 (11) “…great time”
LSU went 11-and-2 that season, beating Miami in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl.

In 2005, LSU had Jamarcus Russell at the helm. This year, Brandon Harris and Anthony Jennings are expected to get snaps. LSU is not the only SEC school that has a quarterback battle still unsettled. Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina have not seen a clear cut starter emerge.

The USA Today is reporting that the Sun Belt Conference is looking at either adding Coastal Carolina or Eastern Kentucky and a vote could happen very soon. The Sun Belt has been interested in adding a 12th football playing member, so they can have a conference championship game. Coastal Carolina and Eastern Kentucky are currently FCS schools.

McNeese State will wear a special camouflage jersey for its home opener against Incarnate Word on September 12th. The camo jerseys have a white base, with camouflage shoulders and numbers.

Nicholls State has reportedly added former Alabama running back Altee Tenpenny to its roster. The Arkansas native was rated as a four-star prospect coming out of high school in 2013. He played two seasons at Alabama and rushed for 218 yards on 48 carries. Tenpenny also spent time at UNLV, but was kicked off the team for an unspecified rules violation.

High School football jamborees are taking place across the state tonight as we are one week away from the regular season opener.

Ten years ago, sports was put on hold in Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina was bearing down on our state. Les Miles was preparing to lead LSU on the football field for the first time, but the season opener against North Texas was postponed. After the storm blew threw, the PMAC was used as a hospital to treat evacuees. Coach Les Miles says many of his players donated their time there….
cut 17 (10) “…and commitment”
LSU will practice today and tomorrow. They’ll take Sunday off and then Monday is the start of game week.

The Saints will practice tonight at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. It will be open to the public. It’s New Orleans final practice before their third preseason game, which is Sunday afternoon at home against the Houston Texans. The battle for placekicker remains a tight battle. Coach Sean Payton sees it as a dead heat between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker.

It’s being reported that another year has been added to UL-Lafayette football Coach Mark Hudspeth’s contract. If approved by the UL System Board of Supervisors, the amended deal will keep Hudspeth under contract with the school through the 2020 season. Hud is set to make one-million dollars this year and he’ll reportedly be paid one-point-two million in 2020.

Before even coaching his first LSU football game, Coach Les Miles was forced to deal with tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. 10 years ago the Ohio native came to Baton Rouge as the brand new football coach with big shoes to fill. Miles says looking back at that time, the landfall of Hurricane Katrina proved to be one of the strongest moments in Louisiana history.

cut 16 (11) “witness it”

Miles says the community went above and beyond their duties to help those in need. He says many of his players housed their displaced family members in small dorms, but it was a time where he learned what was most important in life.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has tapped the LSU Tigers to win the Southeastern Conference. Herbie has the Bayou Bengals advancing to the college football playoff after defeating Tennessee in the SEC championship game. Herbstreit believes his alma mater, Ohio State, will repeat as national champs.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says he’s glad cornerback Delvin Breaux is on the roster. The head coach says Breaux’s initial workout with the team was so impressive, he didn’t want him leaving the building with out a deal. The New Orleans native has looked good during camp, especially in one-on-one drills.

The Saints will hold a practice that’s open to the public tonight at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium before hosting the Houston Texans for a preseason matchup Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Southland Conference football season gets underway next Thursday with Northwestern State hosting Southeastern Louisiana. Demons Head Coach Jay Thomas has still not named a starting quarterback. There are four players battling for that opportunity. Thomas says its possible that he’ll play all four. That game will be televised on the American Sports Network.

It’s being reported that another year has been added to UL-Lafayette football Coach Mark Hudspeth’s contract. If approved by the UL System Board of Supervisors, the amendment will keep Hudspeth under contract with the school through the 2020 season. Hud is set to make one-million dollars this year and he’ll reportedly be paid one-point-two million in 2020.

Saints Coach Sean Payton was back with his team today after spending yesterday helping his daughter get settled in at college. She’s attending Pepperdine University in California. Payton says he had a lump in his throat when he left her.

As far as the team goes, Payton is glad cornerback Delvin Breaux is on the roster. The head coach says Breaux’s initial workout with the team was so impressive, he didn’t want him leaving the building with out a deal. The New Orleans native has looked good during camp, especially in one-on-one drills.

The Saints practice tomorrow night at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium and its open to the public.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has picked the LSU Tigers to win the Southeastern Conference. Herbie has the Bayou Bengals beating Tennessee in the SEC championship game and advancing to the college football playoff. Herbstreit believes Ohio State will repeat as national champs.

Another year has reportedly been added to Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth’s contract. If the contract amendment is approved by the UL System Board of Supervisors, Hudspeth will be under contract with the school through the end of 2020. Coach Hud is set to make one-million dollars this year and he’ll reportedly be paid one-point-two million in 2020.

A week from tonight, the Southland Conference football season gets underway with Northwestern State hosting Southeastern Louisiana. The Demons still have not named a starting quarterback. There are four players battling for that opportunity. Coach Jay Thomas says its possible that he’ll play all four.

LSU basketball freshman phenom Ben Simmons has been named to the Blue Ribbon preseason All-American team. During the Tigers’ recent tour of Australia, Simmons averaged 20 points, nine rebounds and shot 52-percent from the field.

The Saints are back at practice today getting ready for the third preseason game on Sunday against the Houston Texans. Sean Payton, who missed yesterday’s practice to be with his daughter as she reported to Pepperdine University, is back with the team today. Several players who have been out of practice because of injury, were also on the field today….cornerback Keenan Lewis, linebacker Hau-oli Kikaha (Ha-uw-lee Kee-kah-Ha) , and linebacker Ramon Humber, who has been out for awhile. Cornerback Brandon Browner continues to watch from the sidelines.

According to Fox Sports, the Saints are trying to get out of having to pay former linebacker Junior Galette some guaranteed money. The Saints apparently believe they don’t owe Galette a guaranette on his base 1.25 million dollar salary because he violated the “rep and warranty language” in his contract. Galette was released by the Saints last month and he’ll reportedly miss this season after tearing his achilles tendon in training camp for the Washington Redskins.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has picked the LSU Tigers to win the Southeastern Conference. Herbie has the Bayou Bengals beating Tennessee in the SEC championship game and advancing to the college football playoff. Herbstreit believes Ohio State will repeat as national champs.

ESPN’s Outside the Lines is reporting former Louisiana Tech standout IK Enemkpali punched a man in 2011 that he thought was a woman he arranged to have sex with. The incident result in Enemkpali needing surgery and he missed the Bulldogs season opener that year against Southern Miss.

A week from tonight, the Southland Conference football season gets underway with Northwestern State hosting Southeastern Louisiana. The Demons still have not named a starting quarterback. There are four players battling for that opportunity. Coach Jay Thomas says its possible that he’ll play all four.

Head Coach Sean Payton was absent from Saints camp yesterday. Payton left the team for the day so that he bring his daughter, Meghan, to college. She’s attending Pepperdine University. Assistant coach Joe Vitt led the Saints in Payton’s absence. Payton is expected back at work today and the team has also scheduled a practice Friday night at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. The Friday night workout is open to the public. Preseason play continues Sunday when the Black & Gold take on the Texans in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Former Saints and current Redskins linebacker Junior Galette went down at practice yesterday with a reported torn achilles tendon. Washington head coach Jay Gruden confirmed Galette suffered an injury but didn’t go into details. Reports are saying Galette will miss the remainder of the year. The 27-year-old was released by the Saints before training camp because of several off-field incidents.

Louisiana Tech announced that its homecoming game against North Texas will be televised by Fox College Sports. The game will kick-off at 2:30PM on November seventh.

Former LSU All-American hurdler Cassandra Tate finished her best pro season Wednesday when she took the bronze medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the World Championships in Beijing, China. Tate clocked a time of 54.02 seconds to reach the podium. The Loranger High School graduate is the first athlete with LSU ties to claim a medal in the hurdles at the World Championships.

Southeastern Louisiana University Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announces that long-time PGA golf professional Jake Narro has been named the Lions new head golf coach. Narro was most recently the golf pro at the Country Club of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Narro replaces Tim Baldwin, who accepted the head golf coach position at ULM last month. Narro is set to officially take over on August 31.

In the Majors, The Astros have won 10 out of their last 14 after defeating the Yankees 6-2. The Blue Jays tripled up Texas 12-4. Houston has a five and a half game lead over the Rangers in the American League West.

The LSU football team scrimmaged under the lights of Tiger Stadium last night and Coach Les Miles gave us an update afterwards on the battle for starting quarterback between Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris…
cut 30 (18) “…this point”
Harris has been taking more of the snaps with the first team since the start of fall camp. Miles acknowledge that Harris’ work during the summer is paying off. Jennings was not part of summer workouts after he was arrested for an alleged break-in.

ULM Head Coach Todd Berry has named redshirt freshman Garrett Smith as the Warhawks starting quarterback. Smith beat out senior Brayle Brown. Smith has been listed as the Warhawks starting QB on the depth chart since the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp.

Former Saints and current Redskins linebacker Junior Galette went down at practice today with a reported torn achilles tendon. Washington head coach Jay Gruden confirmed Galette suffered an injury but didn’t go into details. But reports say Galette will miss the remainder of the year. The 27-year-old was released by the Saints before training camp because of several off-field incidents.

At Saints camp today, Head Coach Sean Payton was not there. Payton left the team for the day so that he bring his daughter, Meghan, to college. She’s attending Pepperdine University. Assistant coach Joe Vitt led the Saints in Payton’s absence. Payton is expected back on Thursday and the team has also scheduled a practice Friday night at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. The Friday night workout is open to the public.

Louisiana Tech announced today that its homecoming game against North Texas on November seventh will be televised by Fox College Sports. The game will kick-off at 2:30. PM.