South Florida transfer defensive lineman Bernard Gooden has been one of the early standouts of LSU’s fall camp. Gooden received All-AAC honors after totaling 35 tackles, 10 TFL’s and one and a half sacks in 13 games last season. Kelly says his performance has elevated the defense.

Cut 18 (17) “…difficult to block.”

Southern quarterback Jalen Woods is the Jaguars’ lone returning quarterback, but the coaching staff says he still doesn’t have the job locked up. Woods won his two starts as a redshirt freshman last season, but he’s in a QB battle with Jackson State transfer Cam’Ron McCoy and freshman Dillon Compton. Woods is the favorite to earn the starting spot but head coach Terrence Graves says he has to earn it.

The Louisiana Tech defense is coming together under new coordinator Luke Olson. Olson led a Jacksonville State defense that was second in the conference in takeaways last season, and cornerback Cedric Woods says he’s brought that same mentality to Ruston.

Cut 19 (15) “…that ball.”

ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell announced a shocking resignation yesterday after just 18 months in Monroe. Sports Talk West Monroe Sports Director Sean Fox says it’s unknown whether he and new university president Dr. Carrie Castille had a falling out.

Cut 14 (12) “…they were behind.”

West Carroll is representing Louisiana at this year’s Diamond Youth Baseball Division One Majors World Series in Lexington, South Carolina. West Carroll has a quarterfinal game against South Carolina tonight.

I’m Colleen Crain, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

LSU is ranked ninth in the coaches’ poll. Texas is number one, followed by Ohio State.

Clemson, who LSU will face in the season opener, is ranked sixth.

During practice yesterday, Harold Perkins intercepted a pass and showed his ability to get in the backfield. Coach Brian Kelly likes what he’s seeing from Perkins…

Cut 16 (15) “…not distracted”

Kelly says South Florida transfer defensive lineman Bernard Gooden has also flashed.

The Saints return to practice today after taking yesterday off. Following today’s practice, New Orleans will fly out to California to continue camp before Sunday’s first preseason game against the Chargers.

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Big shakeup at ULM as Athletic Director John Hartwell resigns after 18 months on the job. Hartwell is responsible for several major hires, in particular head football coach Bryant Vincent, who led the Warhawks to a 5 and 1 start last season. Sean Fox, the sports director at Sports Talk West Monroe, says Hartwell gained a lot of credibility from the Vincent hire.

Cut 13 (11)  “…of the town.”

Louisiana Tech’s strength last season was its defense, but much of the defensive front has moved on. Veteran defensive lineman Judd Rouyea (ROO-ya) says he welcomed eight new guys to the D-line room…

Cut 20 (18) “….to be better” (2x)

LSU was ranked ninth in the US LBM preseason Coaches Poll. Head coach Brian Kelly has seen a motivated group of players, especially in the trenches. He says ongoing position battles and a competitive culture make for great practices.

Cut 12 (10) “…on the field.”

Clemson, the Tigers’ week one opponent, ranked sixth. Texas took home the top-ranked spot, while Georgia at four and Alabama at eight joined LSU as the four SEC schools in the top ten.

Wide Receiver Aaron Anderson has missed most of fall camp with nagging knee inflammation stemming from his time at Alabama. Kelly said he felt good today and should return to the practice field Wednesday.

Ju’Juan Johnson was a record-breaking quarterback at Lafayette Christian. He started at LSU as a defensive back, but moved to running back during his freshman season. He took snaps at quarterback in the spring but has seen reps at running back and even wide receiver in fall camp. Offensive tackle Tyree Adams believes Johnson can be a playmaker for the offense…

Cut 18 (14) “…make plays.”

The Louisiana Tech defense is picking up the pieces of one of the nation’s best units from a season ago. Coordinator Jermiah Johnson was lured to Coastal Carolina, and the Bulldogs are finding a new identity under former Jax State defensive coordinator Luke Olson. Returning cornerback Cedric Woods says they’re focused on 2025.

Cut 21 (12) “…on the future.”

We’re hearing from the representative who helped get the ban on handling cell phones while driving into law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

ULM Athletic Director John Hartwell announced his resignation today after just 18 months on the job. Rumors swirled that the Alabama-native had his eyes set on the vacant AD position at the University of Troy, but AL.com reports that narrative is unfounded, and his resignation was due to budgetary concerns.

Bankrate has found Louisiana is home to some of the coldest housing markets in the nation. Shreveport and New Orleans are among the frostiest for the size of their markets. Bankrate data analyst Alex Gailey credits high homeowners’ insurance rates as one reason why selling a home in the Bayou State is no easy task.

Cut 9 (08)  “…housing costs.”

The Gulf of America dead zone is roughly the size of Connecticut this year. While only slightly above the typical average, LSU Oceanography Professor Nancy Rabalais says that’s still large. She says the zone is an area of low to no oxygen, unable to support marine life, caused by excess nutrients making their way off land and into the Gulf.

Cut 6 (10) “…the oxygen.”

LSU is less than a month away from its season opener against Clemson. The Tigers are looking for their first win in week one since the Joe Burrow-led 2019 Tigers. Defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory has been at LSU since 2020 and wants to start 1-0….

Cut 20 (16) “…the place.”

ESPN currently has Clemson as a 3-and-a-half-point favorite at home.

LSU received another top defensive line commitment from four-star Deuce Geralds. The Collins Hill product is a top ten-ranked prospect in the state of Georgia but says he grew up in Baton Rouge and dreamed of playing for the Tigers.

After a 126-play game simulation scrimmage yesterday, the Saints will have a well-deserved day off from practice today. While quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough both showed flashes in reps with the first team, it was the defense that won the day with two interceptions, multiple sacks and a turnover on downs. New Orleans will return for their final practice on Airline tomorrow before flying out to California ahead of their first preseason game against the Chargers Sunday.

As UL-Lafayette prepares for the 2025 season, the Cajuns will rely on a dynamic running back duo of sophomore Bill Davis and junior Zylon Perry. The tandem posted nearly 800 and 700 rushing yards last year, respectively, and head coach Michael Desormeaux says he expects improvement this season.

Cut 17 (18)  “…special for us.”

I’m Colleen Crain, and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

The Saints held a 126-play scrimmage on Sunday and Spencer Rattler took most of the snaps at quarterback with the first team. Tyler Shough (Shuck) worked mostly with the second team, but also took some snaps with the first team. Jake Haener worked the with the third team and completed his first 11 passes. Rattler and Shough had good and bad moments.

The LSU Tigers had Sunday off from practice.

The defense has shown flashes during the first few days of camp. Linebacker West Weeks says the defensive playbook is bigger with Blake Baker in his second year as defensive coordinator…

Cut 19 (19) “…Q-B.”

Fall camp is underway in Lafayette as the Ragin’ Cajuns prepare to defend their Sun Belt West title. The headline of camp is the three-way quarterback battle between redshirt junior Walker Howard, redshirt freshman Daniel Beale and redshirt sophomore Lunch Winfield. Head coach Michael Desormeaux says they don’t have much college experience, but…

Cut 16 (18) “…really well.”

Second year ULM coach Bryant Vincent was asked what he likes about the 2025 Warhawks…

Cut 26 (09) “….really does”

Vincent and the Warhawks kick off the season on August 28^th against St. Francis.

One of the early trending topics of the LSU football team is how fast the receiving room is. Seniors Chris Hilton Jr. and Barion Brown are two weapons head coach Brian Kelly can see taking the tops off of defenses. He says Hilton has come out of his shell this offseason.

Cut 20 (18) “…past anybody.”

LSU received a commitment from three-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley. The Lafayette native is the younger brother of current Tiger Dominick McKinley and is the 16th-ranked prospect in Louisiana. The Tigers currently hold the nation’s 8^th-ranked recruiting class with four three-star or higher D-line commits.

Louisiana Tech kicked off fall camp in head coach Sonny Cumbie’s 4th season in Ruston. The Bulldogs welcomed new defensive coordinator Luke Olsen following Jeremiah Johnson’s departure after just one season with the team. Linebacker Kolbe Fields says the Dogs have adjusted to the new scheme.

Cut 15 (13) “…way smoother.”

The Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary Sunday. From the Rolling Stones to Muhammad Ali, the venue has brought legends and fans from all over the world to the Crescent City. Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, Doug Thornton, says its impact on downtown New Orleans has been immeasurable.

Cut 9 (12)  “…those days.”

With fall camp underway, LSU has multiple ongoing position battles, the most important being the offensive line unit. Redshirt sophomore left tackle Tyree Adams will have the unenviable task of replacing fourth overall NFL draft pick Will Campbell, but head coach Brian Kelly is confident in the former four-star.

Cut 19 (16) “…from him.”

The Tigers are waiting on the commitment announcement of three-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley, the younger brother of current Tiger Dominick McKinley. The Acadiana High product will decide between LSU, Florida, Texas and Tennessee at 1:00 this afternoon.

The Bulldogs began fall camp in head coach Sonny Cumbie’s fourth season in Ruston yesterday. Louisiana Tech is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Evan Bullock. With the departure of top receivers Tru Edwards and Jimmy Holiday, Bullock will rely on junior tight end Eli Finley. Finley was an All-CUSA honorable mention last season, and head coach Sonny Cumbie has high expectations in year three.

Cut 17 (18)  “…his play.”

Louisiana Tech Hall of Famer and former NFL quarterback Luke McCown will be the color analyst for the Bulldogs’ two ESPN+ broadcast games this fall. He’ll join play-by-play voice Malcolm Butler for Tech’s first two home games, August 30 versus Southeastern and September 13 against New Mexico State.

The Saints are signing guard Shane Lemieux. The 27-year-old started four games for the injury-riddled Saints last season.

LSU fall camp is fully underway in Baton Rouge, and one name in particular has stood out. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley has bulked up to 308 pounds for this upcoming season, and his strength has put head coach Brian Kelly on notice. Kelly says he’s grown mentally and physically.

Cut 18 (16) “…every day.”

In recruiting news, 4-star defensive lineman Darryus McKinley, brother of Dominick, is set to commit today. The Acadiana High defensive tackle will choose between Florida, Texas, Tennessee, or LSU. Reports point towards McKinley joining his brother in Baton Rouge to play for the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech opened fall camp yesterday. The Bulldogs are led by new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.  Redshirt senior offensive lineman Landon Nelson says Franklin brings a winning mentality back to Ruston.

Cut 16 (18) “…good job.”

The LSU Student Food Pantry has reaped the benefits of Tigers fans indulging in Jello shots at Rocco’s during the College World Series. The food pantry received a check from Rocco’s for $52,390 – one dollar for each Jello shot Campus Life Manager Jennifer Cristina says the money will com in handy.

Cut 7 (11) “…all of us”

The Tigers were still easing into action in their second day of practice today. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson was not seen during the open portion of practice, but he was replaced by Kentucky transfer Barion Brown. Head coach Brian Kelly says he has 8 high-caliber SEC receivers, but the offense won’t be able to take advantage of any of their firepower if the trenches don’t do their job first. Questions have swirled around an offensive line that lost four starters to the NFL Draft last season. Kelly is confident in his mix of returning talent and proven transfers but says nothing is set in stone.

Cut 18 (14) “…couple of weeks.”

Former Saint and veteran NFL running back Latavius Murray announced his retirement after 11 seasons. Murray totaled over eight thousand yards and 61 touchdowns in his career.

The Saints had a reportedly energetic practice today as head coach Kellen Moore led the offense against coordinator Brandon Staley’s defense in team drills.  The offensive line has been one of the strongest units of camp so far. Seven-year NFL vet Will Clapp returned to New Orleans this offseason and says he’s been wowed by young tackles Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga.

Cut 20 (20) “…was younger.”

Louisiana Tech kicked off practice today. The Bulldogs were 12th in total defense a year ago but lost coordinator Jeremiah Johnson to Coastal Carolina. The unit is led by preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Kolbe Fields.

Cut 19 (12) “…take heads off.”