The Ragin Cajuns go after their fourth straight New Orleans Bowl victory when they face Nevada on Saturday morning. The three previous victories have not been easy as U-L Lafayette won those games by a total of 14 points. They are a one-point underdog against the Wolfpack.

On Sunday in the Mercedes Benz-Superdome, the Saints host the Falcons. Quarterback Drew Brees is coming off a performance where he threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the short passing game worked for them on Monday night and they’ll use it again on Sunday…
cut 19 (20) “…the Falcons”
A win for the Saints and a Carolina loss and New Orleans will win the NFC South.

The Pelicans, who have won five of their last seven, have a busy weekend. They host Portland on Saturday night and then visit the Thunder on Sunday. The Trail Blazers lead the northwest division, while O-K-C is coming off a trip to the West Coast.

There’s a good in-state match-up in college basketball on Saturday afternoon. The Ragin Cajuns will visit Northwestern State. U-L Lafayette has averaged 108 points in their last three contests. The Demons will look for a lot of scoring from Zeek Woodley, who is averaging 24 points a game. That’s fourth best in the country.

Also on Saturday…McNeese will welcome the University of Toledo to the Burton Coliseum at one o’ clock. The Rockets have won four in a row, while the Cowboys are 5-and-3 on the season.

In college baseball…LSU shortstop Alex Bregman and left-handed pitcher Jared Poche have been named second-team preseason all-Americans by Collegiate Baseball magazine. And Southeastern Louisiana’s Jameson Fisher and Brett Hoffman have been named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American teams.

Yahoo Sports’ Rand Gellin is reporting that junior cornerback Jalen Collins will likely enter the draft after the Music City Bowl. But Gellin reports that defensive end Danielle Hunter will likely return for his senior season.

Many Ragin Cajun fans are making their way down to New Orleans today for tomorrow’s R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl contest against Nevada. The Ragin Cajuns will hold a Fan Fest Friday afternoon at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street. And Billy Ferrante, executive director of the New Orleans Bowl, says there’s a concert tonight at the New Orleans Arena featuring Kool and the Gang and Cheap Trick
cut 17 (09) “…big crowd”
The U-L players will not be at the concert. They have an early wake-up call, because of the 10 A-M kick-off.

The L-S-U men’s basketball team went on the road last night and defeated UAB 79-70. Jarell Martin and Keith Hornsby led the way as Martin had 25 points, while Hornsby had 24. The Tigers trailed by six points at halftime, but shot 57-percent from the field in the second half.

Louisiana Tech snapped a two-game losing streak with a 79-54 win over Nicholls State. The Bulldogs hit 15 three-pointers. Xavian Stapleton had five of them and finished with 18 points off the bench. TJ Carpenter had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Colonels.

Nice win for the Pelicans last night as they shot down the Rockets 99-90. Big night for Anthony Davis as he had 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. New Orleans outscored Houston in the 4th quarter, 34-22. The Pels host Northwest division leader Portland on Saturday night at the Smoothie King Center.

U-L Lafayette and Nevada meet tomorrow morning in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. It’s the fourth straight year the Ragin Cajuns have played in this bowl game and last year 55-thousand people were attendance to see the Cajuns face in-state foe Tulane. Billy Ferrante, executive director of the New Orleans Bowl, says unfortunately they will not see that kind of crowd this year…

cut 16 (09) walk-up gameday”

Kickoff is scheduled for 10AM tomorrow morning.

Yahoo Sports is reporting that LSU defensive back Jalen Collins is very likely to declare himself eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft. They say that there are those inside the program who believe it’s all but assured that Collins will forego his senior season at LSU. Collins has made no official declaration.

McNeese State Athletic Director Bruce Hemphill will begin a medical leave of absence next week. Hemphill says he was recently diagnosed with tonsil cancer and is scheduled to begin receiving treatment next week.

The Saints and Falcons meet on Sunday in the Superdome. Both teams have losing records, but both teams can still win the NFC South. New Orleans can wrap up the NFC South this weekend with a Carolina loss and a Saints victory over the Falcons. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says a big key for the Black and Gold will be putting pressure on Atlanta Quarterback Matt Ryan…

cut 18 (15) “throws”

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 Noon.

Anthony Davis scored 30 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as the Pelicans topped the Houston Rockets 99-90 last night. Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson each added as the Pels see their record rise to 13-12. The Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center Saturday night to host the Portland Trail Blazers.

In college basketball action last night … LSU defeated UAB 79-70. And it was Louisiana Tech over Nicholls State, 79-54.

The Saints started this up-and-down season with a loss to Atlanta on opening day, but a win this Sunday against the Falcons could result in an NFC South Championship. Atlanta is 5-and-9 on the season, but Quarterback Matt Ryan is playing at a high level. He’s thrown for over 300 yards in his last three games and for the season he’s thrown for 41-hundred passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton says the Falcons have an explosive offense…
cut 18 (17) “….defense”
Meanwhile, Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who is on injured reserve, tweeted out the Falcons will be bringing a broom to the bayou as he expects Atlanta to beat the Saints for a second time this season.

Rand Getlin from Yahoo Sports tweeted out earlier today that LSU defensive lineman Danielle Hunter is leaning towards returning for his senior season. Hunter leads the team this year with tackles for a loss.

The Ragin Cajuns are getting ready to face Nevada in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday. It’s been a busy 48 hours for senior defensive back Corey Trim. His fiancee, Mykeyah Grafton, gave birth to a a little girl on Wednesday morning. As the team was traveling from Lafayette to New Orleans, they dropped Trim off in Baton Rouge so he can be there for the birth.

In basketball tonight…LSU is at UAB. The Tigers may have to start freshman Jalyn Patterson at point guard, because of injuries to Josh Gray and Tim Quarterman. Louisiana Tech hosts Nicholls State. The Bulldogs are looking to end a two-game losing streak, while the Colonels are looking for their third win of the season. And the Pelicans are at Houston. Guard Tyreke Evans is questionable with a knee contusion.

It’s Falcons week for the Saints. But more importantly, New Orleans can win the NFC South with a win on Sunday and a Carolina loss to Cleveland. Coach Sean Payton says he doesn’t feel any extra pressure to make sure his team is ready to play, with so much on the line…
cut 17 (19) “….each week”
The Falcons come in with a record of five and nine and still have a chance at an NFC South division crown as well.

In high school football…Haynesville’s David Franklin has been named the Class One-A coach of the Year. Haynesville’s Kendrick Jackson has been named the defensive player of the year in One-A and Elton running back Marcus Lemoine is the offensive player of the year.

A banged up LSU men’s basketball team takes to the court tonight in Birmingham where the UAB Blazers face the Tigers at eight P-M. LSU guard Josh Gray is out with an ankle injury, and guard Tim Quarterman, who is averaging 12 points a game, is questionable as well with an injury. Freshman Jalyn Patterson will likely start at point gard.

Louisiana Tech looks to rebound from a loss to the Ragin Cajuns, when they host Nicholls State tonight at 6:30. Speaking of U-L Lafayette, they beat Milligan College 69-55.

The Pelicans are in Houston to face a tired Rockets team tonight. The Rockets needed overtime to beat the Nuggets in Denver last night. Houston comes into tonight’s game with a 19-and-5 record. The Pels are 12-and-12, but they’ve averaged 112 points in their last six games. Tip-off is at seven P-M.

In other NBA news…former LSU Tiger Johnny O’ Bryant made his NBA debut last night and made a field goal in five minutes. O’ Bryant’s Bucks lost to Portland 104-97.

The Saints can win the NFC South this Sunday, if they can beat their biggest rival, the Atlanta Falcons, and if Carolina loses to Cleveland. Even though this has not been a great season for the Black and Gold, Quarterback Drew Brees says they are still in position to accomplish one of their main goals

cut 16 (17) than this”

The Saints are trying to snap a four-game losing streak at home.

In college football news…Louisiana Tech is looking for a new offensive line coach. Matt Moore has left the Bulldog program for a job at Troy University, where he’ll be the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Trojans. Moore has been with Tech the las two seasons.

Louisiana Tech wide receiver Hunter Lee has been named a recipient of the Conference USA Spirit of Service Award. The award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of C-USA’s student-athletes. Lee and the Bulldogs are prepping to take on the University of Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl on December 26th.

Last night in college basketball action: UL-Lafayette crushed Milligan College 115-76 and 16th ranked Washington steamrolled Grambling 86-38.

Tonight, Nicholls State travels to Ruston to take on Louisiana Tech. The Colonels are coming off their second win of the season, an 81-75 victory over Arkansas-Monticello, while Tech comes into tonight’s matchup having lost two straight to UL-Lafayette and Syracuse. The Bulldogs are 15-2 all-time against Nicholls.

The LSU Tiger basketball team returns to action as they travel to Bartow Arena to take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham. LSU is looking for their fourth consecutive win and second win on a non-conference opponents home court. Tip off is scheduled for just after 8PM and will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.

The LSU football team is back on the practice field this afternoon. Coach Les Miles said they will begin putting in the game plan for Notre Dame today. Senior safety Ronald Martin says he’s glad to have the opportunity to finish his college career by playing a team like Notre Dame…
cut 18 (15) “….playing Notre Dame”
Former Jewel Sumner star Jeremy Cutrer has reportedly signed with the LSU Tigers. Cutrer is a cornerback at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl is this Saturday. Last year’s game between Tulane and UL Lafayette set an attendance record of over 55-thousand. But ticket sales are not as strong for this year’s game between the Cajuns and Nevada. Bowl officials are estimating a crowd of about 40-thousand.

The Saints are back at practice today for their game against Atlanta on Sunday. New Orleans can win the NFC South this weekend with a win over the Falcons and if Carolina loses to Cleveland. The Falcons, who are 5-and-9, can also still win the NFC South. But they need to beat the Saints and Carolina on December 27th to win the division title for the third time in five years.

In college football news…Louisiana Tech has to find a new offensive line coach. Matt Moore has left the Bulldog program for a job at Troy University, where he’ll be the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Trojans. Moore has been with Tech the las two seasons.

In high school football coaching news…former Northside head coach Vincent DeReouen has reportedly been named the new head coach at St. Martinville and Brett Beard has left Woodlawn of Baton Rouge for Live Oak.

In college basketball tonight…the Ragin Cajuns host Milligan College, which is a Division Two school from Tennessee.

When the LSU football team hits the practice field this afternoon, they are expected to begin putting their game plan into place for their match-up with Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. The Tigers offense averaged 28 points a game during the regular season, which ranks 11th in the 14-team SEC. Quarterback Anthony Jennings hopes to lead LSU to several scores in the bowl game…
cut 17 (14) “….for us”
LSU says they have about 500 tickets to sell for the Music City Bowl.

New Orleans Bowl executive director Billy Ferante says they estimate a crowd of about 40-thousand fans on Saturday morning for their game between the Ragin Cajuns and Nevada. UL Lafayette has reportedly sold over 11-thousand tickets for the game.

The Saints get back to work today to prepare for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Dirty Birds have not lost a game this season against an NFC South opponent. Atlanta’s top wide receiver, Julio Jones, didn’t play last Sunday, because of a hip injury, but Falcons head coach Mike Smith anticipates Jones will play against the Saints.

The New Orleans Pelicans scored 41 points in the fourth quarter last night to beat the Utah Jazz 119-111. Anthony Davis led the way with 31 points, Ryan Anderson added 28 points. It was Davis first game back since suffering a chest contusion last Friday night. The Pels are back at the five-hundred mark at 12-and-12.

In college basketball last night….ULM won easily over Central Baptist 78-53, Tulane topped Savannah State 75-67, McNeese State defeated LSU-Alexandria 84-68 and UTEP beat Southeastern Louisiana 80-62.

The LSU football team is practicing every day this week to get ready for their match-up with Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. It’s the first time the Tigers are back on the practice field since Thanksgiving week and starting quarterback Anthony Jennings says he used the down time to self scout himself

cut 16 (20) this bowl game”

Jennings started all but one game for the Tigers during the 2014 regular season.

The Ragin Cajuns football team is in the Crescent City. UL-Lafayette will take on Nevada Saturday in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game, which will kick off the college football bowl season, has a kickoff time of 10AM.

Louisiana Tech continues their bowl prep. The Bulldogs will take on Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl on December 26th.

The Pelicans scored 41 fourth quarter points, overcoming a 14 point defecit, to roll past the Utah Jazz 119-111 last night in the Smoothie King Center. Anthony Davis returned to the lineup, after suffering from a chest contusion, and pumped in a game high 31 points to propel the Pels to victory. Ryan Anderson added 28 as the Pelicans move back to .500 on the season at 12-12. The Pels travel to Houston to take on the Rockets tomorrow night.

In college basketball action, Nicholls defeated Arkansas-Montecello 81-75, it was McNeese over LSU-Alexandria 84-68, ULM beat Central Baptist 78-53, Tulane topped Savannah State 75-67, UTEP bested Southeastern Louisiana 80-62, and Southern crushed Champion Baptist 114-50.

A Saints fans was charged with simple battery after he allegedly shoved Bears owner George McCaskey to the ground. Authorities say the altercation started when McCaskey arrived to his seat and found 58-year-old Richard Kohnke of New Orleans sitting there. Stadium security ejected Kohnke from the stadium. Kohnke was charged with misdemeanor battery.

The Saints are in first place in the NFC South once again after taking care of the Chicago Bears 31-15 last night. Drew Brees threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns and the veteran Q-B liked how the team responded after getting blown out at home last week…
cut 30 (20) “…at home”
The Saints can clinch the NFC South if they beat Atlanta this Sunday and the Panthers lose to Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns.

A Saints fans was charged with simple battery after he allegedly shoved Bears owner George McCaskey to the ground. Authorities say the altercation started when McCaskey arrived to his seat and found 58-year-old Richard Kohnke of New Orleans sitting in them.

LSU Coach Les Miles has told reporters off the record that he’s not interested in the coaching vacancy at his alma mater, Michigan. Meanwhile, the team is back at practice, getting ready for the Music City Bowl and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Senior safety Ronald Martin says the excitement level at practice is high…
cut 29 (19) “….next year”

The Ragin Cajuns football team is in New Orleans. They’ll hold a few practices there, before they play Nevada on Saturday morning at the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

NBA…the Pelicans host the Utah Jazz tonight. New Orleans will have Anthony Davis back, after missing Sunday’s overtime loss to Golden State, because of a chest contusion.