11^th ranked LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow night. Coach Lane Kiffin said we could see a lot of backups play as the Tigers look to avoid any more injuries. Safety Jhase Thomas earned his first start last week because of those injuries and says senior safety Ty Benefield was a big help in his first start.

Cut 17 (18) “…lot to me.”

Former LSU Star Angel Reese has been named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. It’s an award that means a lot to the Bayou Barbie. In her first season in Atlanta, Reese ranked third in the WNBA in both steals per game and total steals. She also finished third in total defensive rebounds. Atlanta is in the WNBA semifinals.

Louisiana Tech returns to action against Army tomorrow. The Black Knights have the nation’s most productive rushing attack thanks to their trademark triple-option offense. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says Army hogging the time of possession is a legit concern.

Cut 19 (18) “…the first quarter.”

Rough first inning for former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola as the veteran right-hander allowed three runs in the first inning and the Braves defeated the Phillies six to two last night to advance to the N-L-D-S, where they’ll face the Dodgers.

Saints running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan) has been placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. That means Etienne will miss at least the next month. Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara are expected to share carries when New Orleans hosts Atlanta on Monday night.

LSU redshirt freshman safety Jhase Thomas made his first career start against Texas A&M and could make his second against McNeese on Saturday. The Destrehan product made four tackles and defended one pass against the Aggies. He says he’s learned from his father Fred Thomas, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the Saints.

Cut 20 (16) “…whole life.”

11^th-ranked LSU kicks off against McNeese on Saturday night at 6:45 in Tiger Stadium

Former LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She led the league with 12.1 rebounds a game and became the first player in WNBA history to grab 500 boards in a single season. She also ranked third in the league in steals. Her Atlanta Dream punched their ticket to the WNBA semifinals with a 93-75 win over the Mystics last night.

3-and-1 UL Lafayette kicks off Sun Belt action with a big West Division game against Arkansas State on Saturday. The Cajuns have the top-ranked total defense in the conference and the second-best scoring defense. Head coach Michael Desormeaux says the staff has put together game plans that allow the players to execute well, and that’s what they’re doing.

Cut 16 (18) “…sound on it.”

Louisiana Tech hosts Army for its final non-conference game on Saturday. The Black Knights have the number-one run game in the country, so Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says the secondary will need to step up against the run.

Cut 19 (09) “…run attack.”

ULM opens Sun Belt play at South Alabama.

LSU hosts McNeese this weekend. Cowboys head coach Matt Viator says he and many of his players are from Louisiana, so they’re excited for the opportunity to play in Tiger Stadium. For many athletes at FCS schools, big games like this are a chance for athletes to put their best on film against a Power Four opponent, but Viator says he won’t be worried about roster retention when his team takes the field.

Cut 20 (14) “…we’re in now.”

The LHSAA has suspended the Carroll High School football team for the rest of the season and barred Assumption High from hosting any more home games this year. The penalties come after a brawl broke out between Carroll players and Assumption fans following Mustangs’ 16-6 home win last Friday. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich…

Cut 9 (14)  “…games this year.”

UL Lafayette opens its Sun Belt schedule against Arkansas State. The Red Wolves are 2-and-2 to start the season, coming off a 17-14 win over Kennesaw State. Third-year quarterback Trey Owens is fifth in the conference with over 800 passing yards this year. Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux says they’re a good team still finding their offensive identity.

Cut 18 (14) “…up front too.”

Just months after Louisiana Tech officially joined ULL and ULM in the Sun Belt, a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents is suggesting all three drop to the FCS. Shreveport Attorney Wilbert Pryor made the suggestion during a recent UL system budget hearing, citing concerns about how much money the schools’ athletics programs lose each year.

Cut 4 (09) “…10-million-dollars.”

Louisiana Tech hosts Army, and ULM visits South Alabama this weekend.

McNeese is preparing to make the short drive over from Lake Charles to take on the 11^th ranked LSU Tigers on Saturday. Cowboys Coach Matt Viator says the trip to Baton Rouge will be more about the Cowboys than the Tigers.

Cut 19 (17) “…when we left.”

The Saints are looking to get the bad taste out of their mouth from last Sunday’s loss to the Raiders. New Orleans has an extra day as they do not play until Monday when they host the Falcons who are feeling good after beating Green Bay last week.

A bad scene after the Carroll-Assumption football game last Friday. A huge fight broke out and the LHSAA has ruled Carroll’s season is over and Assumption will play road games the rest of the year.

During a Board of Regents meeting looking at the University of Louisiana System budget, a regent member, Wilbert Pryor, suggested U-L Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and ULM should move down to the FCS level because of the large deficits their athletic departments are facing…

Cut 6 (12) “…enrollment”

Fan bases for these schools are pushing back against these comments on social media.

The Ragin Cajuns are preparing for their Sun Belt opener this Saturday against Arkansas State. U-L Lafayette has been rotating several running backs this season and Coach Michael Desormeaux says it is working for them…

Cut 17 (12) “…plays for us”

Kick-off is at 7 PM.

11th-ranked LSU hosts McNeese on Saturday. The Tigers rank 3rd in the nation in total defense, as they’re getting great contributions from older players and freshmen like defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. Geralds is second on the team in sacks with four, and linebacker Davhon Keys says he’s been impressive since he stepped foot on campus.

Cut 18 (15) “…the big screen.”

The Cowboys are coming off their second win of the season. Head coach Matt Viator says he is more focused on his team than the Tigers.

Cut 20 (13) “…football team too.”

Kickoff in Tiger Stadium is set for 6:45.

Northwestern State has another tough draw with a trip to Lamar on the slate for this Saturday. The Cardinals are 3-and-1 to start the season, and Demons head coach Blaine McCorkle says they are the best FCS team they have played so far. NSU quarterback Zach Wilcke threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns against Southeastern and McCorkle says the offense is improving.

Cut 19 (19) “…young playmakers.”

Nicholls will also hit the road to take on Houston Christian. Both teams are 1-and-1 in conference play.

In the SWAC, Southern and Grambling are both prepping for their homecoming weekends. Grambling hosts Alcorn State. Starting quarterback RJ Johnson is expected to miss his second straight game. Head coach Mickey Joseph says Jacobe Robinson will get the start, but Ashton Frye will play as well. The Jaguars welcome Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Both teams are searching for their first conference win.

With Whit Weeks out for the foreseeable future, LSU junior linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys is expected to replace Weeks in the starting lineup. Keys has plenty of experience, as he started five games his freshman year and filled in for Weeks when he was injured last year. Keys says Weeks brought a lot of energy to the defense, and he needs to do the same.

Cut 16 (11) “…and speak up.”

The Tigers kick off against McNeese at 6:45 on Saturday.

The Pelicans held their first day of practice yesterday. After winning only 26 games last season, New Orleans welcomed former Magic head coach Jahmal Mosley to lead the team. Forward Zion Williamson says he has already developed a great relationship with the team in the offseason.

Cut 21 (11) “…mean a lot.”

The Ples tip off the season against the Pacers October 21.

ULM fell to 0-and4 after a 53-17 loss to FAU and has now lost 12 straight. The Warhawks open Sun Belt play at South Alabama this Saturday. The Jaguars hung around with Kentucky in a 45-21 loss last week. ULM head coach Bryant Vincent says the team needs to clean up its mistakes as a new season kicks off.

Cut 20 (12) “…South Alabama team.”

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Louisiana is the first state to have a special black-bellied whistling duck season, which opens Saturday and runs through October 11^th. Shooting hours will be sunrise to sunset, and there is a bag limit of four and a possession limit of 12. LDWF Assistant Secretary Tommy Tuma says all hunters participating in the season will be required to have a free, black-bellied whistling duck hunting permit from LDWF.

Cut 9 (09)  “…whistling duck permit.”

Hunters are required to report effort and harvest within 15 days of the season’s closure.

This Saturday, 11^th ranked LSU hosts the McNeese Cowboys, an FCS team that the Tigers should be able to handle rather easily. But linebacker Davhon (Day-von) Keys says they are keeping the same mindset that they had last week when they faced Texas A&M.

Cut 17 (12) “…make a difference.”

McNeese is coming off a much needed win in Southland play, where they held on to beat East Texas A-and-M. Cowboys coach Matt Viator on their  mindset as they prepare to face one of the best teams in the nation…

Cut 29 (12) “…left”

Kick-off is at 6:45.

The Giants have released receiver Odell Beckham Junior after three games where he didn’t catch a pass.

______________________________________________

After falling to FAU 53-17 last Saturday, ULM has now lost 12 games in a row heading into Saturday’s game at South Alabama. Head coach Bryant Vincent likes how senior quarterback Aidan Armenta against the Owls…

Cut 19 (16) “…to make plays.”

Armenta was the starter coming into the season but was benched for Austin Carlisle, who missed Saturday’s game with an injury. Vincent says he would like to be able to play both quarterbacks.

In the high school football, Edna Karr is ranked number one in Class 5A after its shutout win over Holy Cross. Ruston is ranked second, St. Aug is ranked third.

Alexandria Senior High has fallen to seventh after losing to Neville. St. Thomas More has entered the Top 10 as Cougars are ranked eight after beating 9^th ranked Acadiana. West Monroe is ranked 10^th after a double overtime victory over Central.

Weeks broke his leg in the 35-6 win over Texas A&M. Coach Lane Kiffin says he will miss a lot of time after undergoing surgery yesterday. He says it is a devastating blow for the defense and for Weeks, who chose to return for his senior season instead of going to the NFL draft.

Cut 17 (13) “…rolling into you.”

Junior Davhon Keys will be the starter next to TJ Dottery with Weeks out. Keys came into the game against the Aggies and helped make a stop on fourth-and-one. He says he had to stay ready to back up his teammate.

Cut 20 (15) “…ride for him.”

The Protect College Sports Act is headed to the House after passing through the Senate yesterday. The bill gives antitrust protection to the NCAA, caps conference membership at 20 schools, helps regulate N-I-L and revenue-sharing and ends unlimited transfers for athletes. Opponents of the act argue that it unfairly limits the earning potential of athletes without the same limits on coaches or schools’ revenue.

The Saints will look to bounce back from a disappointing 35-27 loss to the Raiders in their first divisional game versus the Falcons on Monday. New Orleans blew an 11-point second-half lead versus the Raiders with four fourth-quarter turnovers. Tight end Juwan Johnson says that has to change.

Cut 21 (12) “…or you learn.”

The Saints and Falcons kick off on Monday at 7:15 in an anniversary game for the 2006 Domecoming, celebrating 20 years since Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt.

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks underwent successful surgery on his fractured leg yesterday and is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks. The Tigers will turn to junior Davhon Keys at linebacker. Coach Lane Kiffin says he will need to do that again this year.

Cut 18 (15) “…to step up.”

The Senate voted 77-22 to pass the Protect College Sports Act, so the bill will now head to the House. The act provides N-I-L guardrails, limits athletes to just one transfer without having to sit out a season, and gives the NCAA antitrust protection to enforce rules. Louisiana senator John Kennedy voted in favor of it but says it favors the universities.

Cut 8 (10) “…athletes can make.”

The Saints yet again found themselves on the wrong end of controversial officiating during their 35-27 loss to the Raiders on Sunday. In a play that reminded many fans of New Orleans’ reversed forced fumble against the Lions, quarterback Tyler Shough was strip-sacked on a crucial third down, and the Raiders took the lead after the turnover. Shough says he disagreed with the decision to let the call stand.

Cut 19 (12) “…get it done.”

The Pelicans are a week away from tipping off the preseason under new head coach Jahmal Mosley. Star forward Zion Williamson says he is not where he wants to be in his NBA career, but he emphasized expanding his shot selection this summer.

Cut 22 (16) “…going in.”

The LSU football team has suffered significant injuries to starters Whit Weeks, Dashawn Spears and Trey’Dez Green. Coach Lane Kiffin says they are especially impactful now that rosters are less deep thanks to the transfer portal. He says he is considering not playing some starters when LSU takes on McNeese on Saturday.

Cut 16 (12) “…of what’s happened.”

Quarterback Sam Leavitt has a hamstring injury and Kiffin would confirm whether he’ll play against McNeese. Kiffin would not say if linebacker Whit Week’s broken leg is a season ending injury.

Former Cecilia star and Ragin Cajuns sophomore defensive back Brent Gordon Junior was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week. Gordon had seven tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a 34-7 win over Charlotte. The Cajuns host Arkansas State this Saturday night.

A couple of big calls did not go the Saints way in their 35-27 loss to the  Ravens. One of them was a roughing the passer penalty against linebacker Danny Stutsman. Watching the replay, it’s hard to say what Stutsman could have done differently when he took Cousins to the ground after he delivered a pass. Stutsman says the flag lines up with others around the league…

Cut 20 (12) “….make those calls”

Saints receiver Chris Olave has been named a Guardian Signature Athlete in a partnership with the company behind the Guardian Cap. As part of the new partnership, Olave will have the chance to donate Guardian caps and chin straps to his former high school, as well as to high school teams in the New Orleans area

Cut 15 (11) “…effect is magical.”