It’s probably a Saints season that the Who Dat Nation would prefer to forget. New Orleans beat Tampa Bay yesterday 23-20 but some fans aren’t happy about that because we’re down to likely number 13 in the first round for next year’s draft. These Black and Gold fans didn’t hold back when we asked their feelings…:
CUT 12 (09) “entire team”
NFL teams can sign free agents starting March 10. The draft begins April 30.

NFL Analsyt Mike Detillier says now the team needs to focus on getting some solid players at center and cornerback and with the right personnel moves, the team can get right back to wining. He reminds the Black & Gold faithful of 2005…:
CUT 18 (12) “Championship Game”
Coach Sean Payton was asked about possible changes but said making any such comment would be inappropriate only one day after the season.

Today at Music City Bowl Press Conference in Nashville, LSU coach Les Miles praised Michigan’s reported hiring of former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh…:
CUT 1 (15) “Go Blue”
The Music City Bowl is scheduled for 2pm tomorrow and will be broadcast on ESPN. The last time LSU faced Notre Dame was in the 2007 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

In college hoops 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.

An ugly 2014 New Orleans Saints football season is officially behind us. Many Black & Gold faithful now wonder what happens next. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says you should expect to see major player changes due to the teams salary cap situation. He also says it wouldn’t be surprising to see some coaching changes on the Saints’ sideline, either…

Cut 17 (09) “football team”

Detillier calls the 2014 season the most disappointing season in the history of the franchise.

The Atlanta Falcons announced the firing of head coach Mike Smith earlier today. The Falcons finished 6-10 this season, their second consecutive losing season under Smith. In his seven years leading Atlanta, Smith lead the Falcons to the playoffs four times.

It is reported that the University of Michigan has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday to announce the hiring of former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh as their new football coach. The apparent agreement ends a nearly monthlong coaching search that included speculation that LSU head coach Les Miles would head the Wolverine program.

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.

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.