It looks like Saints running back Khiry Robinson will be able to play this Sunday against Carolina Panthers. Robinson has missed the last six games because of a forearm injury, but he has returned to practice, and told reporters he’s ready to play.

It appears Kenny Stills, who was drafted in the fifth round in 2013, is starting to become a big-time weapon in New Orleans passing attack. Stills leads the team in receiving yards after catching five passes for 162 yards in last weekend’s win over Pittsburgh.

In college football news…ULM Head Coach Todd Berry says he’ll take over as the play caller on offense next season after the Warhawks finished last in points scored in the Sun Belt. And Florida has a new head coach and his name is Jim McElwain, who won ten games at Colorado State this past season and he’s a former offensive coordinator at Alabama.

For a fourth straight season, the UL-Lafayette Football team has accepted an invitation to play in the R and L Carriers New Orleans Bowl which will be played Saturday December 20th. The voice of the Ragin Cajuns Jay Walker says their fans are always fired up about heading to the Big Easy…
cut 10 (12) “…New Orleans, Louisiana”
UL-Lafayette will likely have to wait until Sunday to find out who they will play. Walker says it could either be a team from the Mountain West or Conference USA.

In high school football…Warren Easton quarterback Deshawn Capers-Smith has been named the Louisiana Football Gatorade Player of the Year. The Texas A-and-M commit has completed 63-percent of his passes for 3,722 yards and 45 touchdowns for the Eagles who host Plaquemine tomorrow night in the Class Four-a semifinals.

Saints running back Khiry Robinson, who has missed the last six games with a forearm injury, was back at practice yesterday. Coach Sean Payton says Robinson looked good, even though he has a brace on his arm. Robinson was averaging five yards carry and had two touchdowns on the season, before he got hurt. The Saints host Carolina this Sunday.

In other NFL news…former LSU Quarterback Zach Mettenberger expects to play this Sunday against the New York Giants, despite a shoulder injury that forced him to leave last weekend’s loss to Houston. The sixth round draft pick of the Titans has a sprained throwing shoulder.

The UL Lafayette football team is heading to the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl for a fourth straight season. The voice of the Ragin Cajuns, Jay Walker, says the Cajuns will play a team either from the Mountain West or Conference USA on December 20th…
cut 12 (09) “…gonna be Rice”

ULM Football Coach Todd Berry announces that he’ll take over play calling duties next season after the Warhawks finished last in the Sun Belt in scoring average. Steve Farmer will remain the offensive coordinator, while Jason Nichols has been promoted to passing game coordinator.

In college basketball last night….The Ragin Cajuns, who lost to Jackson State last season, beat the Tigers 76 to 53 last night. Devonta Walker had 19 points to pace the Cajuns.

Also last night…McNeese State over Southern University New Orleans 74-63 and Air Force dribbled past Grambling 59-34,

In women’s basketball Raigyne Moncrief had 18 points and ten rebounds in an LSU 73-59 win over Louisiana Tech. The LSU mens’ team is at 16th ranked West Virginia tonight. The Mountaineers are 7-and-0.

The Pelicans begin a three-game road trip in Golden State tonight. The Warriors have the NBA’s best record at 15-and-2.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees received NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors today. Brees threw five touchdown passes in New Orleans 35-32 win over Pittsburgh. It was the seventh time in Brees’ career that he threw five touchdown passes and no interceptions in a single game.

Louisiana Tech continues preparations today for Saturday’s Conference USA Championship game against Marshall. Saturday marks just the second time these two schools have ever played each other. In 1942, they played in Ruston and Tech won that game 26-0. Marshall comes into this game averaging 47 points a game, while Tech is averaging 25.

ULM Coach Todd Berry announced today that he’ll take over the play calling duties next season. Berry says Steve Farmer will remain as the team’s offensive coordinator. The Warhawks ranked last in the Sun Belt, averaging just 20 points a game this season.

It’s anticipated that U-L Lafayette will accept an invitation from the New Orleans Bowl, which could happen tonight. The Ragin Cajuns have played in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl the last three seasons. The Cajuns Sun Belt rival, South Alabama, accepted a bid to play in the Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.

Tonight in the Cajundome…U-L Lafayette will host Jackson State. Bob Marlin’s team is 2-and-3 on the season, but they have a chance to get some wins in the month of December. Tonight starts a stretch of four of the next five games at home.

In women’s basketball…the Lady Tigers host the Lady Techsters. La Tech is 2-and-2 on the year and led by Whitney Frazier, who is averaging 14 points a game. LSU is looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Tip-off is at six o’ clock.

And in college baseball…ULM’s Bruce Pedie has recieved a four-year contract extension. The Warhawks were 23-36 last season.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has been named the NFC Player of the Week. Brees threw five touchdown passes in the Saints 35-32 win over the Steelers, which snapped a three-game losing streak. It’s the 18th time Brees has received this honor since joining the Saints.

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back now that the Wolverines are looking for a head coach. Miles’ alma mater offered him a chance to go back to Ann Arbor in 2007 and 2010 and both times the mad hatter said no. Glen Guilbeau of Gannett Newspapers says if Miles is asked again won’t leave LSU, because of the young talent on the roster….
cut 14 (13) “….20 years ago”
And the Ragin Cajuns will reporteldy receive an official invite to the New Orleans Bowl today.

The Pelicans snapped a three-game losing streak last night with a 112-104 win over Oklahoma City. Jrue Holiday had 16 points and ten assists and played excellent defense on All-star guard Russell Westbrook. Tyreke Evans had 30 points, 15 of them came in the fourth quarter.

LSU’s Josh Gray had his best game of the season as he scored 25 points to help LSU beat UMASS 82 to 60. Also last night…ninth ranked Gonzaga beat Southeastern Louisiana 76 to 57. Alex Hamilton scored 30 points to help Louisiana Tech dribble past Northwestern State 99-88. The Bulldogs improve to six and one, while the Demons are three and four.

tonight…the Lady Techsters are at LSU. The Lady Tigers have won nine straight games in the series. And on the men’s side, U-L Lafayette will host Jackson State. The Tigers beat the Cajuns 73 to 70 last season.

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back. That’s because Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, is searching for a new football coach after firing Brady Hoke. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles doesn’t want to leave LSU because of the young players and another great recruiting class for the upcoming season…

cut 14 (13) “20 years ago.”

He says Miles has been offered the Michigan job two previous times and said no and will likely say no again, if offered a third time.

In other college football news…The University of Alabama at Birmingham has announced they are dropping their football program. The school says they have to discontinue the program because of financial concerns. With UAB leaving Conference USA, rumors are circulating that UL Lafayette will fill their spot.

In college basketball action…Junior guard Josh Gray pumped in 25 points last night as LSU downed UMASS 82-60 in the PMAC. Jordan Mickey added 16 as the Tigers improve to 5-2. LSU hits the road to take on 16th ranked West Virginia tomorrow night.

It was Louisiana Tech over Northwestern State last night in Nachitoches, 99-88. Junior guard Alex Hamilton lead the Bulldogs with 30 points to improve Tech’s record to 6-1. The Demons, who were lead by Jalan West’s 27 points, fall to 3-4 on the season.

Southeastern Louisiana lead number nine Gonzaga at halftime, 33-32. But Gonzaga opened the second half with a 30-4 run to overwhelm the Lions, in the end, 76-54. Joshua Filmore scored 14 for SLU as their record falls to 2-6.

In the NBA…Reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant scored 27 points in his season debut for Oklahoma City, but it wasn’t enough as the Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104 last night at the Smoothie King Center. The Pels’ Tyreke Evans scored a game high 30 points, half of them in the fourth quarter.

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors can start up again as the Wolverines have fired head coach Brady Hoke after a four-year run at the Ann Arbor school. Michigan was five and seven this past season. They’ve pursued Miles twice before, once in 2007 and again in 2010. Miles was asked last week about the possibility of the Michigan job opening up and here’s what he said….
cut 20 (16) “….very best”

In other college football news…UAB has announced its dropping football program, because of financial concerns. With UAB gone, could UL Lafayette fill their spot in C-USA. Stay tuned on that one.

Louisiana Tech plays this Saturday against Marshall in the Conference USA Championship game. Jerry Palm of cbs-sports-dot-com, says if the Bulldogs win, they could play in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against a team from the Big Ten….
cut 19 (13) “….Conference USA games”

In college hoops tonight…Louisiana Tech visits Northwestern State in what should be spirited game. The Demons are 3-and-3 on the year, while the Bulldogs are five and one.

LSU hosts UMASS at the PMAC for a six o ‘clock tip. The Minutemen beat the Tigers 92-90 last season.

NBA…the Pelicans will host Oklahoma city. Thunder star Kevin Durant will make his season debut tonight. Durant has been out because of a foot injury. Tip-off is at seven o’ clock.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis graces this week’s issue of Sports Illustrated. The title on the popular sports magazine says “Time to Really Fear the Brow.” Davis and the Pels are in action tonight against Oklahoma City. New Orleans has lost three in a row, despite outstanding play by Davis.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts UMASS tonight. These two teams played in the season opener last year and the Minutemen won 92-90. This year the Tigers bring a 4-2 record into the game, while UMASS is 5-2.

In other action tonight….Louisiana Tech is at Northwestern State. The home team has won this match-up five straight times. Southeastern Louisiana is on the road as the Lions visit 8th ranked Gonzaga. S-L-U is two and five and Gonzaga is 6-0.

And Northwestern State’s Zeek Woodley has been named the Southland Conference basketball player of the week. For the season, he’s averaging 23 points a game.

An official announcement regarding U-L Lafayette’s bowl destination is expected soon. Jerry Palm of cbs-sports-dot-com expects the Cajuns to go to the New Orleans Bowl for a fourth consecutive season…
cut 18 (17) “….projected here”
UL Lafayette finished second in the Sun Belt. Georgia Southern won the league, but are not eligible for a bowl, because they are a new F-B-S team, but Georiga Southern is seeking a waiver.

LSU’s Leonard Fournette has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The New orleans native rushed for a career-high 146 yards in the Tigers 23-17 win over Texas A-and-M.

And Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says there is no “validity” to the report that New Orleans look to draft a quarterback early in the draft next year as a possible replacement to Brees.

Three Louisiana college football teams are eligible to go bowling this year. LSU, UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech will find out their bowl destination this weekend, if not earlier. Louisiana Tech plays this Saturday against Marshall in the Conference USA Championship game. Jerry Palm, with C-B-S-sports-dot-com, says if the Bulldogs win, they could play in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against a team from the Big Ten…

Cut 19 (13) “Conference USA games”

He expects LSU to play the Texas Longhorns in the Texas Bowl and the Ragin’ Cajuns to make a fourth straght trip to the New Orleans Bowl.

The Southern University Jaguars will take on Alcorn State this Saturday at N-R-G Stadium in Houston for the SWAC football Championship. Alcorn beat Southern 56-16 back on September 27th. However, the Jags have not lost since, racking up seven victories in a row coming into this weekend’s matchup.

In college hoops…LSU’s Jordan Mickey has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s player of the month for November. Mickey is averaging nearly 18 points a game and ten rebounds. Mickey and the Tigers take on UMASS tonight.

Also tonight, Northwestern State hosts Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana travels to Spokane, Washington to take on ninth ranked Gonzaga.

In the NBA, the Pelicans host the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in the Smoothie King Center. The Pels are looking to climb back to .500 on the season with a win tonight.

4 state football champioms will be crowned Friday as The Allstate Sugar Bowl LHSAA Prep Classic gets underway in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In Division IV, Southern Lab will face Ouachita Christian. Division III sees Catholic of New Iberia take on Calvary Baptist. In the Division II final University Lab will lock horns with Parkview Baptist. And John Curtis will play Jesuit in the Division I final.

The Saints hope yesterday’s 35-32 victory over Pittsburgh is the start of something good for a team that has underachieved all season. New Orleans played one of its better games of the season in the Steel City. The Black and Gold are back home this Sunday to take on the Carolina Panthers, who are in a tailspin and lost to Minnesota yesterday.

The Saints are still tied with the Falcons for first place in the NFC South. That’s because Atlanta beat Arizona 29-18 yesterday. In that game, former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu fractured his thumb and could miss the next three weeks of the season for the Cardinals.

Former LSU star quarterback Zach Mettenberger injured his shoulder in a loss to Houston. But Mettenberger hopes to play this Sunday for the Titans, who will host the New York Giants.

LSU is number 23 in the latest A-P poll. They now wait on a bowl invite, the most likely choices are the Taxslayer-dot-com bowl in Jacksonville and the Texas Bowl in Houston.

Louisiana Tech will take on Marshall this Saturday in the Conference USA Championship game, which will kick-off in Huntington, West Virginia. Marshall is 11-and-1, with its one loss coming on Friday against Western Kentucky. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says it should be a great football game…
cut 18 (12) “….should be”

Southern is also in a conference championship game. The Jaguars will play Alcorn State this Saturday at N-R-G Stadium in Houston. Alcorn beat Southern 56-16 back on September 27th.

The Ragin Cajuns are waiting to find out if they’ll once again go to the New Orleans Bowl. It would be a fourth straight apperance in the game.

In college hoops…LSU’s Jordan Mickey has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s player of the month for November. Mickey is averaging nearly 18 points a game and ten rebounds. Mickey and the Tigers take on UMASS tomorrow night.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers as New Orleans defeated Pittsburgh 35-32. Afterwards, Coach Sean Payton had to address a report that a fued between himself and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had reached a point there was hate between the two of them. Payton says that’s not the case…
cut 20 (09) “….outstanding job’
The Saints will face a struggling Carolina football team this Sunday. The Panthers dropped to 3-8-and-1 on the season with a 31-13 loss to Minnesota.

Altanta beat Arizona 29-18 as Julio Jones had 189 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Falcons, who remain tied with the Saints for first place in the NFC South.

And former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger injured his shoulder as his Titans lost to the Texans 45-21.

The Ragin Cajuns wrapped up an 8-and-4 regular season on Saturday with a 42-23 win over the Troy Trojans. UL Lafayette rushed for 344 yards as Elijan McGuire and Alonzo Harris combined to gain 255 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. Coach Mark Hudspeth on his top two running backs…
cut 16 (19) “…pretty effective”
The Cajuns are expected to get another invite from the New Orleans Bowl, but nothing official yet.

LSU is at number 23 in the latest AP poll. Reports say the Texas Bowl in Houston or the Taxslayer-dot-com bowl in Jacksonville are the likely destinations for the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech and Southern are preparing to play in conference championship games.