Pathetic, terrible, horrendous, all of those adjectives describes the Saints 41-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers yesterday in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. It’s the fourth straight loss at home and the largest margin of defeat for the franchise since 2007. Saints Coach Sean Payton didn’t sugarcoat the performance when he spoke with reporters after the game…

Cut 17 (10) “it was awful”

Carolina jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and the Saints didn’t do much to get back in the game.

Elsewhere in the NFC South…Tampa Bay fell to the Detroit Lions, 34-17, and the Atlanta Falcons are on the road to take on the Green Bay Packers. A loss by Atlanta, and the Saints are still tied for first in the division.

Anthony Davis scored 23 points and Jrue Holiday added 22 as the Pels blew past the Los Angeles Lakers 104-87.

The LSU football team will play Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl on Tuesday, December 30th. It’s the 15th straight season the Tigers will play in a bowl game and it’s their first meeting against the Fighting Irish since beating them 41-13 in the 2007 Sugar Bowl. Offensive guard Vadal (vuh-Dall) Alexander is excited to face Notre Dame…

Cut 19 (18) “play em”

Kick-off for the game is set for two PM in Nashville.

Louisiana Tech has accepted an offer to play in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The 8-5 Bulldogs will take on the University of Illinois in the game on December 26th at the historic Cotton Bowl stadium. The Fighting Illini come into this matchup with a 6-6 record.

In December 20th’s New Orleans Bowl, UL-Lafayette will face Nevada. This is the Ragin Cajuns fourth straight appearance in the game, which will have a 10AM kickoff and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

4 state football champs were crowned last night in the Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Prep Classic inside the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

In Division IV, Ouachita Christian crushed University Lab 52-6. This is the Eagles’ third state championship in four years.

In Division III, Calvary Baptist held off Catholic-New Iberia 27-24 to win their second consecutive title.

In the Division II title game, University Lab overcame an early deficit to defeat Parkview Baptist 46-32. The Cubs finish the season with a perfect 14-0 record.

And in Division I, Jesuit won its first state championship in over 50 years as they upended John Curtis 17-14. The Blue Jays last state championship came in 1960.

Louisiana Tech takes on Marshall in the Conference USA Championship game today in Morgantown, West Virginia. In order to win, the Bulldogs will have to slow down a Thundering Herd offense that’s averaging 47 points a game. Marshall’s QB is senior Rakeem Cato and Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz says there’s a lot of talent around him…

cut 16 (10) “they have balance”

Holtz says the conditioning could play a factor in this one, because Marshall has played some of its best football in the fourth quarter this year. Kickoff is at 11AM and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

The SWAC Championship Game is this afternoon in Houston. The Southern Jaguars will take on Alcorn State for the league. Southern is looking to capture its second consecutive SWAC Championship and avenge an early season 56-16 loss to the Braves. You can watch on ESPNU beginning at 3PM.

Louisiana Tech takes on Marshall in tomorrow’s Conference USA Championship game. This is the first time the Bulldogs will play in a conference title game. Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz says conditioning could play a factor in this one, because Marshall has played some of its best football in the fourth quarter this year…

cut 17 (20) “big plays”

In order to win, the Bulldogs will have to slow down a Thundering Herd offense, lead by quarterback Rakeem Cato, that’s averaging 47 points a game. Kickoff is at 11AM and can be seen on ESPN2.

The Southern Jaguars will take on Alcorn State in SWAC Championship game in Houston tomorrow. Southern is looking to capture its second consecutive SWAC Championship and avenge an early season 56-16 loss to the Braves. You can watch on ESPNU beginning at 3PM.

The Saints will try to end a three-game home losing streak when they host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Black & Gold go into the game with a healthy backfield as Khiry Robinson is expected back from a six-game absence because of a forearm injury. Quarterback Drew Brees says Robinson will be a nice addition to what Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram are capable of doing…

cut 19 (14) “is great”

Before they started this losing skid in the Dome, the Saints won 20 straight games, including playoffs, played in New Orleans.

There’s a full slate of college basketball games for tomorrow…

McNeese hosts UL-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech takes on Jackson State, Tulane will host Mississippi State, Southeastern Louisiana travels to take on Southeast Missouri State, and ULM will play host to Louisiana College.

In college hoops…Point guard Josh Gray hit a layup with 7.4 seconds remaining in the game to give LSU a 74-73 upset win last night over 16th ranked West Virginia. The Tigers trailed by as much as 14 points before charging back to secure the victory on the road. LSU Guard Tim Quarterman came off the bench to rack up 30 points as the Tigers improve to 6-2 on the season. This is LSU’s first road victory over a ranked opponent since 2005.

Louisiana Tech will face Marshall in the Conference USA Championship game on Saturday. It’s the first time the Bulldogs will ever play in a conference title game. In order to win, the Bulldogs will have to slow down a Thundering Herd offense that’s averaging 47 points a game. Marshall’s QB is senior Rakeem Cato and Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz says there’s a lot of talent around him

cut 16 (10) “they have balance”

Kickoff is scheduled for 11AM and you can watch on ESPN2.

The Saints will look to end a three-game losing streak at home when they host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Before they started this losing skid in the Dome, they won 20 straight previous games, including playoffs, played in New Orleans. Quarterback Drew Brees on trying to snap the home losing streak….

cut 18 (08) “and practice”

The Saints go into the game with a healthy backfield as Khiry Robinson is expected back from a six-game absence because of a forearm injury.

Anthony Davis pumped in 30 points last night, but Golden State still trounced the Pelicans 112 – 85 in Oakland. New Orleans was held to just 12 points in the second quarter and trailed by 22 in the third, as they lost the 7th out of their last 10 games on the road. The Pels fall to 8-9 on the season, while the Warriors won their 11th in a row to improve their league best record to 16-2. The Pelicans’ West Coast swing continues tomorrow against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Pelicans begin a difficult three-game road trip tonight at Golden State. New Orleans is coming off a win over Oklahoma City, while the Warriors have the best record in the NBA at 15-and-2. The Pels announced the signing of forward Dantee Cunningham. The five-year vet was charged last April with felony domestic assault, but that charge was dropped in August after investigators determined his girlfriend’s story didn’t add up. He’s averaged six points and four rebounds a game during his career.

In college basketball tonight…the LSU Tigers are at 16th ranked West Virginia, who is a perfect 7-0. The Bayou Bengals had a nice win over UMASS on Tuesday and they are hoping to carry that momentum into Morgantown. Tip-off is at six o’ clock on E-S-P-N 2.

The Saints are continuing preparations for Sunday’s home game against Carolina. New Orleans is listed as a nine a half point favorite.

Louisiana Tech leaves tomorrow for West Virginia where they’ll play Marshall University on Saturday in the Conference USA Championship game. The Thundering Herd are second in the F-B-S points scored as they’ve averaged 47 points a game.

Southern will meet Alcorn State in the SWAC Championship game on Saturday. These two teams met on September 27th in Lorman, Mississippi and Alcorn won easily 56-16. The Braves had 682 yards of total offense.

In other college football news…Jim McElwain is the new head coach at Florida. McElwain won ten games at Colorado State this season and he’s a former offensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama.

Tomorrow in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, four state champions will be crowned in football. All from the select brackets. The Division Three title game at 1:30 will pit Calvary versus Catholic of New Iberia. The Cavaliers beat the Panthers by one point in the semi-finals last year.

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.