Tampa Bay lead the Saints, 20-7 at the end of three quarters but couldn’t hold on as the Black & Gold scored 16 in the fourth to eke out a 23-20 win in their last game of the season. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 281 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions as the Saints finish their disappointing season at 7-9.

Now, many Black & Gold faithful wonder what happens next. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the salary cap will play a big role for next year’s Saints team. He says, first, several veterans will be asked to rework their contract to save money under the cap. Then, Detillier says, the team needs to go to the “Bank of Brees”…

Cut 16 (09) “room, cap-wise”

He says the team should focus on getting a center and cornerback through free agency and work to get a big time pass rusher through the draft.

The Carolina Panthers will represent the NFC South in the playoffs this year. Carolina crushed the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 to win the division championship.

Louisiana Tech trounced the University of Illinois 35-18 in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Senior quarterback Cody Sokol threw for 247 yards and one touchdown and sophomore defensive back Xavier Woods brought an interception back 69 yards for a touchdown as the Bulldogs win their first bowl game since the 2008 Independence Bowl.

In Saturday’s Duck Commander Independence Bowl in Shreveport, the South Carolina Gamecocks held of the University of Miami Hurricanes, 24-21. This is South Carolina’s fourth straight bowl game win.

Tomorrow night, number 22 LSU faces off with Notre Dame in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville.

In college basketball, the 17th ranked St. Johns Red Storm defeated Tulane 82-57 and Arkansas held off Northwestern State 100-92.

Tonight LSU hosts Southern Miss, you can watch that game on the SEC Network, Southern is in Honolulu to take on Hawaii, and Louisiana Tech takes on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas.

It was another amazing performance last night by Anthony Davis and New Orleans as the Pels pick up the 97-90 victory inside the Smoothie Kin Center. Davis has 22 points and 12 rebounds along with five blocks. The Pelicans earned consecutive wins over the Spurs for the first time in team history.

As the Saints head into their last game this season tomorrow at Tampa Bay, the team has placed running back Pierre Thomas and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks on injured reserve. Thomas was injured in the Atlanta game and Hicks has been limited in practice with an ankle injury. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.

Louisiana Tech beat Illinois 35-18 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Friday in a game loaded with big plays. Kenneth Dixon becomes the Bulldogs career leader in yards rushing finishing with 63 and a total 3,410 in three seasons. Tech wraps up the season now at 9-and-5. This is their first bowl since 2008 and just the second nine win season in the past 17 years.

It looks like the LSU football team will be adding a new quarterback next season as Caleb Lewis, a Lakeland Florida native, will enroll early in January as preferred walk-on. He’s the Class 2A player of the year in Florida.

This afternoon in Shreveport the Duck Commander Independence Bowl will kickoff at 2:30. The game between South Carolina and the University of Miami will be on ABC and it’s the first time the I-Bowl is a national broadcast network television since 1991. With Duck Commander being the game sponsor, Bowl Media Relations Director Stefan Nolay says you’ll see the Robertson family in full force…:
CUT 14 (09) “after the game”
He says the excitement level for this game is huge.

Today in the Heart of Dallas Bowl Louisiana Tech made big plays and ended up prevailing over Illinois 35-18. The Bulldogs scored three of its four touchdowns on huge game moments including a 70-yard completion to Carlos Henderson late in the 4th quarter that helped set up the game-clinching touchdown. Tech wraps up the season now at 9-and-5. This is their first bowl since 2008 and just the second nine win season in the past 17 years.

The SEC placed a total of 12 teams in bowl games this year including #22 LSU who will take on Notre Dame in Tuesday’s Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville.

The Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center tonight to take on the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs come into tonight’s contest having lost seven of their last ten. The Pels are 6-4 in their last ten matchups. Tipoff is at 7PM.

Tomorrow afternoon in Shreveport the Duck Commander Independence Bowl will kickoff at 2:30. The game between South Carolina and the University of Miami will be on ABC and it’s the first time the I-Bowl is a national broadcast network television since 1991. With Duck Commander being the game sponsor, Bowl Media Relations Director Stefan Nolay says you’ll see the Robertson family in full force…:
CUT 14 (09) “after the game”
He says the excitement level for this game is huge.

According to a new report several secondary ticket sales sites have Sugar Bowl tickets available for about 1/3 below market rates. Some sites even list upper level seats for less than $200 a ticket to the Alabama/Ohio State national semifinal match-up in New Orleans.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs take the field this afternoon to take on the University of Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. This is Tech’s first bowl appearance since the 2011 Poinsettia Bowl and they’re looking for their first bowl win since 2008. Head Coach Skip Holtz says his team is focused for today’s game…

cut 12 (09) “month of December”

The Illini come into the contest with a 6-6 record after finishing their schedule with two big wins over Penn State and Northwestern. The Bulldogs are 8-5 and coming off a heartbreaking loss to Marshall in the Conference USA championship game. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 noon and can be seen on ESPN.

And in other college bowl action today, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights face off with the North Carolina Tarheels in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit and in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl in Florida, the Wolfpack of North Carolina State face the Central Florida Knights.

The Duck Commander Independence Bowl kicks off Saturday afternoon in Shreveport. This year’s matchup sees South Carolina facing off with the University of Miami. Media Relations Director, Stefan Nolet, says the excitement level has been high for this game since they made the announcement…

cut 24 (09) “that’s huge”

Miami and South Carolina come into this game looking to end their season on a high note. Both teams are 6-6 on the season. The game will kickoff at 2:30 tomorrow and be televised on ABC.

The SEC placed a total of 12 teams in bowl games this year including #22 LSU who will take on Notre Dame in Tuesday’s Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville.

The Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center tonight to take on the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs come into tonight’s contest having lost seven of their last ten. The Pels are 6-4 in their last ten matchups. Tipoff is at 7PM.

The college bowl season continues with a couple of big games for Louisiana schools coming up. Tomorrow, Louisiana Tech takes on the University of Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Fighting Illini come into the contest with a 6-6 record, after finishing the their schedule with two big wins against Penn State and Northwestern. The 8-5 Bulldogs won the West Division of Conference USA and fell to Marshall in the Conference Championship game 26-23. Tech is looking for their first bowl win since 2008. Kickoff is scheduled for noon tomorrow on ESPN

On December 30 in Nashville, the 22nd ranked LSU Tigers face off with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Both of these teams were ranked in the Top 10 at some point this season. The 7-5 Irish come into this matchup having lost their last four games of the season. LSU has an 8-4 record, having lost two of their last three. The game will be broadcast on ESPN beginning at 2PM Tuesday.

Northwestern State football coach Jay Thomas has been given a two year contract extension.

Two Conference USA teams were victorious in college bowl action yesterday. Western Kentucky won a wild Popeyes Bahamas Bowl as they held off Central Michigan 49-48. The Hilltoppers lead 49-14 after three quarters, then Central Michigan lit up the scoreboard with 34 fourth quarter points. A failed two-point conversion by the Chippewas, with no time left on the clock, gave the win to Western Kentucky. Both teams combined for over 1,200 yards of total offense in the game. The Hilltoppers finish the season at 8-5.

In last night’s Hawaii Bowl, Rice crushed the Fresno State Bulldogs 30-6. Rice quarterback Driphus Jackson threw two touchdown passes in a span of 19 seconds in the first quarter and that’s all the Owls needed to take home the trophy. Rice finishes the year at 8-5.

Six Saints were sidelined for Wednesday’s practice. Safety Jamarca Sanford, defensive end Akiem Hicks, nose tackle John Jennings, running back Pierre Thomas, and tackles Zach Strief and Terron Armstead did not participate due to injury. The Saints end their season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The NFL has announced its Pro Bowl selections and two members of the New Orleans Saints have made the cut. Tight end Jimmy Graham and Guard Jahri Evans will represent the Black & Gold in the league’s annual All-Star contest. Former LSU standouts, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams and Arizona Cardinal cornerback Patrick Peterson were also selected to the squad. The Pro Bowl will be played January 25th in Glendale, AZ.

The Saints will return to the practice field today to get ready for their season finale against Tampa Bay. Coach Sean Payton admits its disappointing to have to play a game, knowing you can’t get into the playoffs…

cut 18 (16) “….those emotions”

This is the third time since 2008 that the Black & Gold have missed the playoffs.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs took a 15-point lead into the locker room at half time, but couldn’t hold on as North Carolina State came from behind to win the game 73-65. Tech hit only three field goals in the final 14 minutes of the contest. Senior Raheem Appleby and junior Alex Hamilton each scored 18 as the Bulldogs’ record falls to 8-4 as they head into the Christmas break. Tech will next hit the hardwood next Monday when they host Southern Arkansas.

After a big road win Sunday against Oklahoma City, the Pelicans couldn’t keep the momentum going as they fell to the Indiana Pacers 96-84. Anthony Davis lead all scorers with 21 points and Jrue Holiday threw in 16 as the Pels fall to 14-14 on the season. The Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center Friday to take on the defending NBA champion, San Antonio Spurs.

LSU commitment Nick Brosette has been named as the offensive player of the year in Class Three-A. Brosette rushed for 1,833 yards and had 31 total touchdowns for the UHIGH Cubs. John Curtis defensive end Bo Wallace, who is committed to Notre Dame, is the three-A defensive player of the year. Wallace had nine sacks for the Patriots this past season.

The LSU men’s basketball team has a six-game winning streak heading into the Christmas break. The Tigers defeated College of Charleston 71-47 last night. Jarrell Martin had 18 points and nine rebounds, Jordan Mickey had 15 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. Three of the blocked shots happened on this one play…
cut 30 (11) “…the ball”
That’s Jim Hawthorne on the LSU Sports Radio Network.

Earlier today in Tampa, South Florida dribbled past Southeastern Louisiana 78-63. The Lions are 3-and-10. Louisiana Tech looks to improve 9-and-3 as they visit North Carolina State. The Wolfpack are 9-and-1 at home this season. And the Pelicans are on the road tonight to face the Indiana Pacers.

The Saints will return to the practice field tomorrow to get ready for the regular season finale against Tampa Bay. Coach Sean Payton admits its disappointing to have to play a game, knowing you can’t get into the playoffs…
cut 18 (16) “….those emotions”
Tonight pro bowl selections will be announced. The Saints are not expected to have many pro bowlers, because of their six and nine record.

LSU commitment Nick Brosette has been named as the offensive player of the year in Class Three-A. Brosette rushed for 1,833 yards and had 31 total touchdowns for the UHIGH Cubs. John Curtis defensive end Bo Wallace, who is committed to Notre Dame, is the three-A defensive player of the year. Wallace had nine sacks for the Patriots this past season.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles provided a vague answer when asked about defensive coordinator John Chavis, who reportedly has yet to sign a new deal with LSU and Texas A&M has reportedly reached out to Chavis to see if he’s interested in joining the Aggies. Miles said I have no real feeling there when asked about the situation.

How many players on the current Saints roster will back next year? You can expect a good turnover of the roster after failing to make the playoffs. Coach Sean Payton says games like this Sunday are part of the evaluation process, when it comes to determining who should return next season
cut 17 (14) “…on film”
Payton says it is disappointing to play a game, knowing you can’t get into the playoffs.

Louisiana Tech is in Dallas getting ready to play Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Bulldogs enter this game having forced 40 turnovers, 31 of them have come in the last eight games. Illinois is six and six on the year. They are averaging 27 points a game, but allowing nearly 34.

In college hoops tonight…Louisiana Tech visits North Carolina State. The Bulldogs are 8-and-3 on the season, while the Wolfpack are 9-and-3.

LSU won its sixth straight last night as the Tigers defeated College of Charleston 71-47. Jarrell Martin had 18 points to lead the way. Also last night…Baylor over Southern 70-66, TCU topped Grambling 80-38, Central Michigan over McNeese State 87-58, Indiana knocked off UNO 79-59, Central Florida over Southeastern Louisiana 70-65 and Tulane’s nine game winning streak ended with a loss to 13th ranked Washington, 66-57.

The possibility of the Saints reaching the post-season is no more after losing to Atlanta 30-14. But the Black and Gold still have one more game to play. They are at Tampa Bay this sunday. Coach Sean Payton said today they’ll prepare as if they are playing for a playoff spot.

The Louisiana Tech football team arrived in Big “D” today where they’ll play Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says the message to his team is that playing in a bowl game is great, but winning it, is even better…
cut 18 (17) “….uniform”
The Bulldogs are a six point favorite against the Fighting Illini.

Texas A-and-M has reportedly reached out to see if LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is interested in taking the same job at Texas a-and-M. There’s also a report that Chavis has been offered a three-year, four-million dollar contract extension from LSU, no word of if he has signed it.

The other issue hanging around the LSU football program….Is how many underclassmen will leave for the NFL? There’s a report LSU cornerback Jalen Collins plans to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, but Coach Les Miles is optimistic they won’t see as many juniors leave for the pros early as previous seasons…
cut 30 (17)_ “…football team”

In college basketball tonight…LSU hosts College of Charleston on the SEC Network. McCNeese State will take on Central Michigan, Tulane, who has won nine in a row, is at 16th ranked Washington. Southeastern Louisiana visits Central Florida.

No postseason for the Saints after losing to Atlanta 30-14. New Orleans turned it over four times and the defense had trouble getting off the field on third down and ended up allowing Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan to throw for 322 yards. It’s the first time a Sean Payton coached team has missed the playoffs since 2008…
cut 20 (09) “…consistently enough”

LSU continues its preparation for Notre Dame and the Music City Bowl. Even though the Tigers have extra time to prepare, Coach Les Miles says don’t expect many changes when it comes to game planning for this game…
cut 13 (19) “…game day”

Louisiana Tech has arrived in Dallas for its Friday game against Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says the team is looking forward to bowl week preparations…
cut 17 (20) “…work done”

The offseason has begun for the Ragin Cajuns. They defeated Nevada 16-3 on Saturday in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Quarterback Terrance Broadway threw for 227 yards and a touchdown in his final game as a Cajun…
cut 16 (15) “…next level”