Major production funding for game notes is provided by Hargrove.

Engineers and constructors is proud to support LPB.

Since 1995, Hargrove has been employee owned and relationship driven with 2700 teammates around the world.

Hargrove works as one team to go beyond expectations.

You have what it takes to begin your journey.

Curiosity.

Ingenuity.

Intellect.

Determination.

Through a vast portfolio of affordable and in-demand academic programs, hundreds of student focused activities, and wraparound services.

Southern University meets you where you are, giving you the tools and support that lead you to a successful career in the sciences or the arts.

Begin with your goals anywhere.

Finish stronger at Southern University at Superdog Edu.

The Ralph Pugh Agency is proud to support this program.

Based in Louisiana.

Ralph Pugh has provided marketing services nationwide since 1981, partnering with clients in health care, retail, automotive and more.

For more information, visit our agency.com.

With additional support from Lafayette Travel, the LSU Alumni Association and the Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU, Louisiana Tech University, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Northwestern State University, Red Stick Sports, the U.S.

Army Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion, the foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and viewers like you.

Thank you.

Hey, we are back for postgame Notes here on LPB and it's great to have you with us.

Welcome in everybody, alongside my Super Bowl champ partner Scott Shanley.

I am Victor Hall.

There's always a week like this in the month of November.

Scott in college football, we saw it on the grand scheme.

Texas A&M had to come back from 30 down.

Oklahoma goes in and beats up Alabama in Tuscaloosa Georgia pounds.

Texas.

That's on the national scale here in Louisiana.

There were pockets on the I-20, I-10 12 corridor and and down off of the LA one down in Tiverton.

You're pretty good north of Alexandria.

It's a bit of a tough day for teams and Louisiana.

Yeah, you're right, it is.

It is that time of the time of the year in November.

Don't get tired of the process.

That's the what coaches are trying to to tell all their players in their locker room.

Because the season gets long, you start to lose a little bit of focus.

And to your point, yesterday in College Station, that was a close one.

I mean, there's games like that all over the country because you cannot get tired of the process.

It gets a long season, gets long.

Yeah.

But if you hold on to that process, you can see good results for what these teams are shooting for.

We certainly have a lot to talk about here in the next 60 minutes.

So let's get you set with what's coming up here on Postgame Notes on help with a little bit of home cooking for LSU.

Frank Wilson making his interim coaching debut inside a Tiger Stadium, playing for the boot with a new quarterback for the Tigers.

We'll talk about that one.

Another weekend of struggling on the offense for the Southeastern Lions.

But this is a tough one and went down to the very end where a bar was involved.

We'll explain that.

And it was late night football up in the great Northwest Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

One week after playing in Delaware up in Washington state.

We'll give you highlights on what happened late night all coming up here in the next 60 minutes.

But hey, as we get started here, how about we go down to the bayou where the Colonels from Nicholls have been playing very well as of late, and with the game on Saturday, and a win would give them a chance to go perfect on the season in the South End Conference at home, the carnival welcoming the other NSU.

And in fact they play for that trophy, the NSU challenge.

That's the demons from Northwestern State.

There's Tommy Wright back in there as head coach Blaine McCorkle.

We get things going here with a new quarterback for the Colonels is not playing so well as of late, and that's Ian Rotary, the Thibodaux High grad and native Jackson to frame 15 yards here.

He gets the first down.

Later it's Jackson to Frain again.

Rodrigue again left side.

Great touch down to the 15 yard line inside the ten.

Now inside the five.

Next play Shane Lee is going to punch it in.

And it's seven nothing.

Colonels midway through the first quarter demons get the ball and they are forced to punt.

So when the Colonels get the ball back on the very next offensive play Scott we've seen this all year.

Shane Lee deceptively quick.

He breaks that hole.

You can forget about it.

Yeah it all starts up front.

The offensive line paved the way.

They made a nice little hole there.

That's just speed at the end and making plays on the outside 59 yards for the touchdown.

It's 12 nothing.

Colonels four minutes to go in the first on fourth and one.

Yeah let's go for it.

Why not.

You got nothing else to lose.

And it's a great play Abraham Johnston 39 yards to tie Moore and the demons are moving.

In fact three plays later Johnston on the keeper goes right side and he punches it in.

Demons cut the deficit in half.

It's 12 seven now.

Colonels on top.

Very first play of the second quarter Johnston keeps it goes right side.

Oh look.

Now the demons are on the road and they have the lead 14 to 12.

But rotary comes back finds Michael Brock junior left side.

The little lofty pass he does the rest takes it.

Stays in bounds inside.

The ten gets tackled down at the nine yard line.

Three plays later.

Row three to Alec Haynes right side corner for the touchdown.

It's 1914 Colonels.

We got ourselves a ballgame down a middle later in the second on the punt Chris Johnson gets pop on the reception.

Great timing by the demons special teams.

He fumbles.

Northwestern state recovers and they take advantage Abraham Johnson to tie Moore six yard.

This is as good as we've seen the demons play all season long.

And on the road it's 2119.

Demons on top.

Third quarter fourth and one at the Colonels 35 yard line.

Demons go for it and you can see how close it is.

But it's the Colonels defense that stops the demons.

They can't convert.

Fourth quarter Shane Lee again up the middle four yards for the touchdown.

It's 2621 under a minute to play.

Fourth down going for the end zone Johnson.

Watch how close this is for the winning touchdown.

But the ball is deflected.

Great defensive play and it's picked off.

Get out.

Teammates tell him get on the ground so you don't fumble.

It's that close.

But the Colonels hold on scrappy Austin what do you saying we head over heels celebrating the victory 2621 the Colonels get the NSU trophy.

Here's head coach Tommy Wright back.

So proud of the team for finding a way to win a game.

And if you've been around Colonel Football for the last ten years, that's what we're about.

It's about finding a way to win, no matter the circumstances.

I thought our guys put in a lot of hard work with a ton of effort, and I'm proud of them for that.

But, you know, wasn't always great.

We didn't always play well.

We made mistakes.

But we battled back and we found a way to finish with the victory.

So our job is to go to work, clean up the mistakes, continue to make progress with this team as we look forward to closing out the season.

That's how we play here at Nicholls.

Just being a colonel, you know it.

You know you anybody can beat anybody at any game.

You know they don't have the best record.

We don't have the best record.

And they came out and they wanted it real bad.

And we had to wake up a little bit and we just we did what we needed to do, took a breath, made adjustments and accomplished that game plan.

Going into the game by knowing that everybody was on the high horse, we got knocked down and then we all logged back in the second half to get it going.

It was amazing to go out like that as a senior and to see everybody come together.

I'm so thankful for everything that's played, what this place has done for me.

I love it here.

I love the fans, I love the coaches, and I've put a lot into it and they've they've given a lot back.

I just I can't be I can't say how thankful I am for it.

Outstanding performance by Shane I think he really runs hard, super competitive, has great vision, able to stick his foot in the ground and see the cuts and make plays.

I thought the big explosive run at the beginning of the game was a really nice, run by him really?

Well, block by the offensive line.

So I was happy to see that score.

But then throughout the game, he made a bunch of tough runs, three and four yard runs that are going to be important as the game goes on.

And I thought he really did that.

And the Wildcat runs were good for him to.

It has been is very fun.

Like once I started going in and so I'm going to keep going.

I'm a, I'm but one of the best names they had tonight and I want the best performance I had tonight.

I've known Shane for it's got to be going on six, six, five, six years now.

Back in high school, we were in the same district.

I always played against them, and it was never fun playing against them.

So it's awesome to have them on our side.

And I mean, he's always been electric in the backfield.

Winning the state is one of our main goals every year.

It's a it's a huge thing we take a lot of pride in, you know, going into next year.

It gives you a lot of momentum, sets a good standard for the following team and how important that is to win those games and beat those guys, because a lot of time they're crucial wins that you got to have in the season.

Coming across to do this play at home, in front of, to play against and all these rivalry games and everything.

So it's always a great feeling to win the game.

It's a great feeling that one of rivalry game at that and next week is just another game.

I mean, you want to look at it like it's just another game.

But at the same time there's always that hype around and you know, so next week we can prepare like we always have and work on the process and I'll work on the result, hopefully get the result we want.

You can certainly hear how proud those colonels are for the way they played.

And again, go four and zero at home in the Southland Conference to get the win 26 to 21.

A monster day from Shane Lee 14 carries for a buck 34.

And those three touchdowns that we showed you next up for the demons it's a quick turnaround.

They'll be at Stephen F Alston.

Also a quick turnaround for the Colonels when they go play that rivalry game up in Hammond against the Lions from Southeastern Europe.

The victorious side with the Colonels I got reaction out from head coach Blaine McCorkle from the demons.

A Northwestern State.

It's a heartbreaker for sure, and I don't know that I've can remember.

Being as proud of a football team.

And a really, really long time.

That's our third one score loss this year.

Two by three.

And that one by what?

Four?

And we're doing it, you know, an unbelievable circumstances.

And everybody knows that.

But anybody out there who claims to be a northwestern state demon.

If you weren't proud of this football team tonight, shame on you.

Shame on you.

Because we took 67 freshmen on our roster, I played a really good Nicholls team that beat McNeese 31 to 7.

And took a really, really good Utrgv team down to the wire.

And, they've been through a lot.

In week 11, they still showed up to fight.

So if you can't be proud of these kids, shame on you.

You need to get off the train.

I hate that my train hurts.

Northwestern state train.

And that's just real, you know, that's just as real as it gets.

These kids are fighters, and they're tough, and I'm proud of them.

And they've got the whole world, kind of against them.

And they know that, but they keep persevering and they keep showing up and they keep fighting, and I'm really proud of them.

I'm proud of our quarterback.

Tough.

He's tough.

How?

He's a competitor.

Our defense stood tall in some key moments and we had some penalties that absolutely hurt us at times.

But if you can't see this football team and what's happening and can't realize that we belong in this league and that we can play in this league and we've got some unbelievable days ahead of us.

Again, shame on you.

And you need to check yourself.

You know, he's right.

And I don't know if lady McCorkle starting to get a little heat Natchitoches or what, but if he is, I'm not sure what you were expecting.

He had won a game in two and a half years.

67 freshman.

We've watched Abram Johnson grow in front of our eyes.

And that very first game when they got the win over Alcorn State.

But he's right.

Three one score losses.

I'm not sure what you expected, but if you don't think this team has grown from when we sat here back at the end of August talking about this, you're not paying attention to what's going on.

Yeah, there's no doubt I'm sitting there.

You know, you watch this game and of all the teams we cover, you can you can make an argument that Nicholls is the most improved team in the last four weeks.

They didn't play in some of their best football.

They made the quarterback switch.

But I agree Northwestern State.

You look at Avery Joseph I say 250 total yards three touchdowns.

They outplayed Nicholls in a lot of different areas of this game.

I know the final result is is the final result.

Everybody looks at that.

But with game within the game, you were 5 or 7 on fourth down and you won the title possession battle against Nicholls, who I just said is playing some of the best football of all the teams recovered.

So there is growth within the program and I can understand coach McCorkle getting emotional there because it is a results oriented business and it is college football as a business.

But when you play that much youth, you want to see growth every single week and you want to see that that what we're doing, what we're telling the guys is working yet not yet on the final scoreboard, but within the game it's working and it should be a big challenge when it close up against Stephen F Austin next week.

And then let's turn our attention now to the Cardinals because you're right.

With Tommy Wright back, he has done after Tim Tebow steps down.

He's been on that staff.

They open up with a huge win over UW who has been playing much better.

And we've talked about them in just a moment.

Then they had their lapse.

But to see what they've done since he and Rhodri came in, the two native right there in the backyard of where the Cardinals play, his confidence and his swagger.

Seeing Lee with the way he's been playing with the running back position and the Colonels defense, which have been fairly consistent for most of the season.

Scott, they go four zero and South in conference play, including beating the reigning champs to kick off the season.

From the onset of the season.

We said the defense at Nicholls was going to carry the team and then Shane Lee, with the running game, but it's been the spark plug putting Ian Rodrigue in at quarterback.

He has been the spark plug of this team.

You can tell the locker room they play with a swagger, they play with a little bit of different energy since he's been in there because their quarterback we saw last week in a highlight helmet was off.

And he's going toe to toe with whoever's in his face.

So that type of personality it's a great coach team.

And they're playing some of their best football right now.

And as we mentioned, both teams will play on Thursday.

And as for the Colonels it's another big matchup because the ball is on the line.

It's one of those big rivalry games where Nicholls will be up in Hammond, Louisiana.

Ham in America, if you will.

They'll be taking on the Lions for southeastern in the River Bell Classic.

The Lions will lead this 1817 are all the lions for an AU at home.

But as we just talked about with the Colonels, three of their last four have gone in the win column.

You can check out that game Thursday night on ESPN plus.

Speaking of the Lions, one week ago, they took it on the chin in a big showdown against Lamar this week back in the state of Texas against those reigning champs in U. I w let's pick it up with E.J.

Colter.

The Jalen Walthall 50 yards across the middle gets tripped up before he could break it all the way.

But he's inside the 15 yard line.

It leads to a Will Farris field goal attempt.

And this one is no good.

Keeps it to the left.

That might be an important miss.

As we roll on to the highlights here.

Lions that are forced to punt.

Last week they ran a fake field goal for a touchdown.

This week.

No punt.

It's a fake for a first down 21 yard from Aiden Wilkinson.

Now on fourth and three Carson Camp.

That's Jalen DiMaggio.

That's good.

And DiMaggio's got the first down.

Leads to a 41 yard Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez field goal.

We think he misses it but we don't know.

It's Wayne's World ultra slow on the kick.

But the way they reacted yes he missed it.

Early second quarter camp to Brandon Hayes 26 yards down the far sideline for the first down.

Now on first and ten camp again who played the whole game by the way at quarterback Aiden Wilkinson.

This is good for 11 yards as he breaks a tackle and gets the first down.

This leads to a 22 yard field goal that we can see.

And it is true down the middle.

Lions are up three.

Nothing on the road.

Let's jump to the third quarter camp again.

Nice pitch and catch across the middle to DiMaggio.

What a year.

He's having 37 yards for the first.

First down two plays later camp to DeAndre Jackson.

Now watch Jackson look to the left side misses a tackle.

Boom.

Look at him turn on the Jets.

And there he goes.

Takes it to the end zone 37 yards for the touchdown.

Lions are up ten.

Nothing in the third quarter five minutes left to go.

Now in the fourth quarter E.J.

Colton back scrambles makes a move 27 yards.

Oh here they come.

Hewitt.

He's going to get on the board.

Oh he's tackled at the five.

But two plays later Tim Carter from one yard out is going to punch it in.

And just like that it's ten seven and it's time to start chewing on some fingernails.

We got four minutes to go UAW gets the ball back under 30s to go.

Colton has got to get the ball down the field.

You can see they're back by their own ends on at the 16 yard line.

Coles is going to heave this up and the prayer is answered.

It's Jalen Walthall again 57 yards.

He makes the catch.

Now they're a field goal range.

If they can't punch it in well they can't punch it in.

So they go for the field goal to tie.

The kick is tipped stalk off the crossbar.

That's how close it is Scott take another look lower left of your screen.

Even the officials ducking oh that close from tying it up.

But the Lions get a hand on the kick.

It's a huge win for southeastern.

The first in fact, at UW since 2016, K.K.

Reno had 17 tackles.

I'm not a defensive guy.

I hear that's a lot.

That's a lot.

That's a season worth for some guys.

17 tackles for the Lions defense that had four sacks, seven tackles for loss and a huge win for the 21st ranked Lions, ten seven.

And as we told you next up for southeastern, the quick turnaround, the Thursday night game against Nicholls.

And that should be a good one.

It had come sweetest threads in college football on Saturday, the City Edition threads for Tulane as they take the field at Yeomans Stadium sold out for this game against Florida Atlantic.

First quarter.

Maybe the punt returner was tipping his hand, the sun in his eyes off of Claiborne Avenue.

And that's a problem because Easton Messer loses the ball.

He loves it.

Tulane gets it and they are in great shape.

How good.

Very next play Jimmy Callaway on the end around from Rhett's left and he's going 14 yards for the touchdown.

And just like that Tulane is up seven.

Nothing.

Next few possession.

Well evidently no one wants to get these new threads dirty because canes camp hits Easton Messer and he makes up for that muffed punt breaks a tackle there.

Moves here.

Breaks another tackle here gets pass.

Another one finally is brought down at the 36 yard line.

Huge gain for FSU.

It leads to a Harrison Smith field goal 25 yards out.

Sneaks it in past the left hole.

It's 7 to 3.

First play of the second quarter Jake Retzlaff looking right.

And he's going to let it fly.

And it is perfect to Bryce Bohannan over the shoulder.

Who gets separation and that's a touchdown.

And it's 14 three.

Wave on top.

Three minutes later Zell Kapp and a 75 yard drive with this four yard dart to the back of the end zone to Jason Platt.

It's now 1410.

Johnson doesn't look worried.

You know why?

Because Retzlaff is a quarterback and he's leading the wave again 75 yards back down the field he hits Anthony Miller junior for the touchdown.

Yes it was 2110.

Wave up top third quarter.

Quick touch pass from fell camp to Messer.

Looks like he's going to score.

James Johnson has other ideas.

Bounces him out of bounds at the one yard line.

Now it's fourth and one.

They'll camp up the middle and the green wave make a goal line stand third and one and a half.

Fourth and one.

And FSU is denied hitting in the end zone under four minutes to play Scott in the third.

Another fourth down for FSU.

How tough is this open field tackle?

It's really tough.

I mean this is why you got to get space players.

You have to be able to run on the defense to make plays like that.

I mean, Makai Williams open field all alone makes that tackle and stops him on fourth down.

Tulane gets the ball back to Mario McClure up the middle.

Now it's 2810 wave are rolling 2816 mid fourth a little trickery.

Toss it back to Retzlaff.

He goes down field that Johnny Pascucci 22 yards on the game.

Four plays later Retzlaff caps off with a touchdown.

Yes 3516 wave rolling for you though.

Goes right back down the field.

They'll have to Messer 12 yards out with another dart.

We told you have the best passer in the American and he showed it yesterday.

Great arm but not enough to get passes to 1939.

Retzlaff hands it off to McClure.

He gets 19 yards.

That's it.

That's all Tulane runs out the clock and they get the win 35 to 24.

Retzlaff throws to 241 and two touchdowns on the day.

The owls had four turnovers.

More on Tulane's defensive effort in just a moment.

Next up for the Green Wave.

They control their destiny.

But they got to get it done on the road next weekend up at Philly against temple.

But before we get to that, let's hear from John Summerall and company on the big win by the Greenway.

Really thrilled that our guys stayed focused on the task at hand.

You know, there's been a lot of distraction in regards to like, I've had people ask me about tiebreakers for, conference and all this other stuff.

I'm like, I just want a freakin game, you know?

And so I think if you worry about what could be way out in front, you get lost about like, what's right in front.

And, I just very grateful for our guys focus and attention to be present, be in the moment.

We try to go one, two, no, every week.

I don't really listen to what the media say and the critics.

We just try to go want to know where we can get better.

And but I really don't think about it much.

I just going every week.

Sometimes I don't even know who we play it to like coach here.

So I just one week is trying to get better every day, you know, ready for the week?

Just work.

I think the one thing I'm most proud of, Jamari, you know, he was a little beat up this week.

He he was limited Wednesdays practice.

I like I say the injury.

Don't tell me injury.

I don't want anybody to know what it is.

But he was a little bit, had to be limited with his reps, and, so, for him to fight through it, show up to rehab, perform the way he did today.

He's he's he's taking steps forward.

Ten carries, 94 yards and a touchdown.

We're privileged to have another Tulane great running back here tonight Matt Forte.

So I introduced Matt to the locker room which is fun.

And that said he's trying to maybe become Matt Forte.

One day we'll see.

But he got a long way to go.

That would be quite the complement to come Matt Forte I wish Matt Matt Forte is looking at some of this offense.

Well I wish I played.

I played with that look, that UTSA game when they lost.

There's a bit of an outlier because when this offense is rolling, it's not like it was yesterday.

It's fun to watch because Retzlaff we know he can run it.

We know he can sling it.

Now he's got support.

Yeah.

And that support starts with the running game.

The running game yesterday I think it looked as good as it's looked all year.

And that's a good sign especially late in the year.

You want to be able to run the football and play good defense.

And obviously the quarterback's played outstanding most of the year, one of the greatest transfer portals of the offseason, and it's a well-coached team.

So this Tulane offense, when they get to going like they are in, they can add balance to their to their to their team.

They're tough to beat.

The offensive line is giving him time and they're opening up holes to this running backs because now we're seeing trick plays.

We see him run, but we see him able to roll out stick behind that line.

And some of those passes yesterday I mean they were just right in the bread.

Yeah.

Right.

Yeah.

Red sauce playing some of his best football.

We said earlier in the year we were surprised at how many times he used his legs.

But you can see as he's getting comfortable with his offense with his receivers and it takes time, timing, the chemistry, all that stuff takes time in the passing game.

But I just love the makeup of this team.

You listen to those answers and and there's times where I don't even know who we're playing until we get to the game week.

Some of the best teams I played on, it wasn't about who we were playing, it was a faceless opponent is about how how are we going to play no matter who they put in front of us.

So this team has has the right identity, what they're doing, but they have the right personality as well.

I know they don't want to focus on it, but I promise you they're looking at it in the standings of the American because right now, with the win and the way things have fallen with Navy, what happened yesterday with South Florida.

Now Tulane basically controls its destiny.

They have two games left at temple and they got to play Charlotte.

You see Charlotte's one and nine on the season.

Winless in conference.

Tulane can win those games.

They put themselves in position not only to play in the American Championship, possibly host the championship game for the conference.

And of course, that could have big bowl ramifications.

There's a look at the American standings up to the moment, but again, it all starts with temple in a 245 kick next week.

So let's talk about and take a look at this Tulane defense, because I wanted to ask you, when you're on defense how many tip drills that you do.

Because I'm telling you I can think a half a dozen tip drills offense a defensive side.

But two lanes defense had them again yesterday.

Goal line stance, turnovers, tips on the interception.

They always seem to be there.

Is that something that has worked on consistently because they're doing it.

Oh yeah yeah you work on it.

A lot of the teams will take the football away because that's what it's about.

Yes, you want to tackle the guys, you want to limit points.

It's about taking the football away and get it back to your offense so they have an opportunity.

Score more points.

So every every Wednesday Thursday it was turnover circuit.

It was tip throw.

It was punching the ball out taking the football away I mean you just got to have somebody in the right place at the right time.

But I told you earlier they forced four turnovers.

Look here's one again deflection tip.

There's a guy right there to pick off.

They had another interception later in the game.

What else.

The same thing I can remember one of the touchdowns early in the ballgame early in the season for Tulane to win off of a tip.

But then here's the turnover I told you the punt returner may have tipped his hand.

He couldn't see the ball with the sun.

His problem not Tulane's.

But again it's another turnover opportunistic for this green wave defense.

And when the offense is playing like we just talked about that's trouble for opponents.

Yeah.

And you know what good things happen when you when you play with effort.

Coaches always tell you full speed of the ball every single play to till the whistle.

That's how good things happen.

That's how you get those tip drills.

That's how you forced fumbles.

Full speed hat catch on the football.

And we said their ball is going to be up a lot yesterday 57 attempts.

And that's a lot of opportunities three takeaways three interceptions.

So great job by the defense making them pay when they threw the ball.

Yeah.

And now we'll see if they can carry this momentum on the road next weekend at Temple.

Let's take out the Bumper Stadium on what was a chamber of commerce Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge, where the Jaguars were hosting Texas Southern Final home game of the year for southern.

Looking for that elusive win number two of the season, but number one at home Ashton Strother again getting the start at quarterback.

It's Cam Jefferson as Jefferson does the rest 51 yards.

And also nobody surprised the Jaguars are out the gates early.

That's what they always play their best football before halftime seven nothing Jags up top.

Texas Southern strikes back K.J.

Cooper to Rory on Richardson.

And Richardson's going 57 yards.

Eventually gets it inside the 15 before he's bounced out of bounds on second and eight Cooper rolls.

He's going to find Trenton Leary.

That's good for nine yards in this game is tied at seven.

But back come the Jags on offense before the end of the first quarter.

Strother to Dupree Fuller now watch Fuller make the tough catch.

Runs into congestion here but stays inbounds.

Now two Texas Southern players hit each other and he's gone.

Takes it all the way to the end zone 54 yards.

And it's 14 seven southern in front of the home crowd.

Second quarter Strother look at this touch to Malachi Jackson.

What a great catch by Jackson 19 yards on the reception.

Then Barry Remo showing some grit and determination up the middle ten and a half yards.

Oh he needed 11.

You see him stretch out his chest short Scott everybody's doing the touch.

Yeah they can't.

But nobody does it quite like the Eagles man.

Until people stop and keep running down.

Oh we're dancing in the street.

You love to see Jaguar fans dancing at home.

It's 21 seven.

Southern's a tough but we still got more football to play.

Two minutes to go in the second Lawrence Butler 12 yards for the touchdown.

Makes it 2114.

Jags with another chance at the end of the half in the red zone.

But Strother here is picked off by Quentin Murray.

That could have been a monster possession.

Instead Murray's going the other way.

He would get caught and it would be 2114.

Southern at the break now 2414 southern as a field goal.

K.J.

Cooper from midfield goes up top to carry it.

Charlie he's open.

Left side.

Jaguars in pursuit.

They get him out of bounds at the five.

Two plays later Lawrence Butler is going to finish it off.

He goes left side for two yards out.

It's 2421 oh.

Here comes that second half again.

It's now 2824 Texas Southern.

Camron McCoy is in at quarterback.

And he goes right.

And he does the one thing he can't do.

He loses the football.

And Texas Southern jumps on it.

And great field position.

They then score again when JJ Cooper hits Jalen Williams from 12 yards out.

Once again it's self-inflicted wounds.

The fumble horrible field position for southern.

Great field position for the opponent.

They take advantage of the short field.

It's 3524 Cameron does punch it in one more time for the Jags.

But unfortunately for the man in blue and gold it is not enough to get the job done at home.

Texas Southern wins it 35 to 30, so the losing skid continues.

Kelvin Givens, who as we've talked about has been an outstanding player for his entire career.

Seven tackles and one and a half sacks for the Jags defense.

But southern goes winless at home this season.

Oh and five they're now 1 in 10 overall, and they have a bye week before they head down to New Orleans for the nationally televised season finale against Grambling in the Bayou Classic.

Speaking of the Graham and Tigers down 18 players heading into Saturday's game at all Corn State after last week's fight with the Dome Cookman Hayden Ben Wall gets the start again at quarterback.

Here.

He hits Keith Jones junior.

That's 15 yards and a first down for Grambling.

Third and ten.

Hey if it worked once why not do it again?

Same connection.

This time it's across the middle.

15 more yards and the Tigers are moving the sticks.

It leads to a Theo Caballero field goal from 45 yards out.

And that is a season long.

And it's true right through the middle.

Even though it look like I got tipped three nothing.

Grambling on top.

Late first quarter Jalen Tolbert we have seen him a couple of times this season when we've had Alcorn highlights.

He keeps it 16 yards.

Gets it down to the Grambling eight yard line.

Very next play Jacob Sewell is going to take it in.

Makes one cut up the middle.

Gets it into the end zone as he stretches it out 12 plays 75 yards.

And for 42.

Seven three Alcorn up top.

Midway through the second same score.

Tolbert again drops back.

Waits sees the opening.

It takes off.

He gets 12 on third and eight.

So it's good position on first and goal.

Two plays later Reggie Davis dives it in for the Braves.

It's now 14 three and Grambling is behind the eight ball now 14 six.

Let's go.

Late third quarter where the brain is going to make a big mistake Reggie Davis coughs it up.

Tigers pounce on it Tyrrell Raby scoops it up and he is off to the races into the end zone.

It's 1413.

Tigers need a stop, but then the Braves go to the ground game, and Grambling had a tough time getting stops on the ground.

This one's good for 12 yards and it's a first down getting deep into Grambling territory.

Then from the ground to the air, it's Tolbert to rush again.

On third and ten they get 12.

First and goal Reggie Davis wraps it up 21 to 13.

Is the score there?

One last chance for Grambling.

They got to go 98.5 yards.

You got to stay alive.

Now this play might have been devastating for some.

You'll see why in a moment.

Everybody's going to just pitch this thing around.

Let's keep it alive.

Anything you can do to try to get down the field.

But then Eric Thomas, junior pixel.

Every point matters.

Oh, oh oh, you've got to be kidding me.

He picks it up at the end to get it.

And that's your final score 27 to 16.

So the four game win streak comes to an end for Grambling.

The Braves have their fourth straight home win versus Grambling in this series.

Grambling now seven and four and four and three and Swac play may as well have a bye week.

And they will get players back from that suspension as they now get ready to meet southern at the Bayou Classic in two weeks down in the Superdome poll on game notes on Saturday morning, Scott and I were talking about the LSU situation.

We heard from Frank Wilson saying that Garrett Nuss Meyer tweaked an injury.

He planned on seeing both quarterbacks play.

How much we didn't know.

We found out very quickly early Saturday morning because when it was game time, Garrett Meyer ruled out.

That meant Michael Van Buren gets the start at quarterback for the Tigers as they hosted Arkansas.

Playing for what else?

The boot.

Here come the Razorbacks with their interim coach.

Here come the Tigers with their interim coach.

And there is the 200 pound gold boot that they are playing for that's been residing in Baton Rouge for quite some time.

Hogs offense went right down the field on the opening drive and on third and one a bad pitch.

Mike Washington fumbles it.

LSU jumps on it but then else he goes three and out.

Grant.

Chadwick.

Scott.

This was an ambush.

One of 2 or 3 players could have blocked this one.

Yes, definitely a breakdown on that right side.

But it was ominous early on.

Usually you see plays like this and things get worse from there.

And, and you kind of had a feeling because after this they go three and out again.

And then this punt is shanked.

So two bad special teams plays for LSU.

That punt only went 24 yards.

And guess what.

Arkansas answer is Taylor Green.

He catches it in from 11.

And just like that it's 14.

Nothing Arkansas on the road midway through the first quarter.

They're up two touchdowns.

Michael Van Buren then starts to settle in.

Here he rolls out and Xavien Thomas for 11 yards on second and eight.

Same drive now.

First play of the second quarter.

Katie Durham breaks a tackle right there.

And now he's gone 27 yards for the touchdown.

And it's 14 seven.

Tigers trailed by seven.

How about an LSU defense mid second quarter.

Harold Perkins junior jumping this route and making an incredible intercept interception Scott we're going to watch it again as he comes from behind.

And it's basically a tie.

And he just muscles his way to this ball.

I want to know what Arkansas did to help Perkins somewhere along the way recruiting.

That made him mad.

He loves playing against Arkansas in interception.

Is that great game for seven?

Yeah, it sure was.

And then they go down and they're in the red zone.

But now it's another interception.

After LSU had a field goal the defense makes another play.

Matt Dillon with the interception Damian Ramos and hits another field goal.

LSU leads at the break.

It's the first time since the 1930s.

The Tigers trailed by double digits in the first quarter, but they led at the half early third quarter.

There goes Mr.

Green, and this has been a problem for running quarterbacks against LSU defense.

They struggle against him.

He gets tripped up.

He might have gone all the way but he goes 55 yards nonetheless.

It leads to a fourth and goal.

Not going to happen.

The Tigers defense is going to have none of it as they hold on the goal line.

Stan.

Now four minutes left in the third quarter, Arkansas finally punches it in.

Mike Washington from nine yards out makes it 2216 as LSU to get to 25.

I don't know the set on 16.

Here we are in the fourth quarter.

Third and six.

Van Buren to power Sharpe back in the end zone.

And he makes a great catch.

Tigers up 2322.

Still haven't gotten to 25 but they got the lead.

Scott stars like that with a shot to win it from 48 yards out.

Oh no.

Misses it just to the right.

That's all LSU needed.

It's the pass for Frank Wilson.

And the boot stays in Baton Rouge LSU doesn't get 25 but they get the win 23 to 22.

Here's reaction following the game.

I told our staff, you know I'm proud of them.

And the way that they prepared, the way that they challenge their position group, the way that they coached, but I'm even more proud.

And I want them, as I concluded meeting with them when we go into that locker room you love on these babies, you let them know, I appreciate you for doing what was asked of you.

And it's just it it culminated it culminated, in this day, for our staff and for our players.

So, a big win for us.

And I couldn't be more, overjoyed for our football team.

When you were introduced as interim, you made sure to reiterate we are going to run the ball.

So how do you just assess the success of the rushing attack today?

When you look at this football game and our offense plays 70 plus snaps and our defense plays 50 snaps, that's what allows them to be so dominant.

It as as it goes on your first year goes like a stadium.

Well there you go.

Thank you.

Stadium no Falcon.

Right.

You know, I think that that's a testament of what we were trying to achieve.

We, you know, when they're when they're that dangerous as an offense, you want to reduce their opportunity.

We want to increase our opportunities.

And we were able to do that, because we ran the ball well, because we beat them in time of possession and more possessions compared to what they, they had.

And so the defense now they're their ears open back, they're fresh and they're eager, and they were able to go out there and play their very best.

And it's a compliment of the worst game.

Coach.

On your game winning drive.

You broke out some very creative plays.

Yeah.

Did that.

Did you practices all during the week.

And you're saving them all for one driver.

What's the thinking?

No, we yes, we practiced them all week.

Some had been with us, some from last week, some we added this week.

Just vulnerabilities in ways we thought we had to be creative to find a way to score.

And so to the staff, it was, you know, we're going to just leave these bulletin and practice these plays and come back and then talk about, man, we should have did this.

We could have did that.

We're not doing it.

Empty the chamber, use everything that we practice.

And we began to call those things and go down the field.

And it worked out for us.

They worked out in our favor, and they're no guarantees, but it gives you a chance.

And also, that's all our kids needed and want.

It was a chance.

And so we called the things that we thought could give us opportunity to get chunk yardage and big plays.

And tonight it worked out.

This afternoon it worked in our favor with, Van Buren's performance today and obviously the result of the game.

What is the hope that today does for him moving forward?

Yeah.

Continue to sin that he knows when we talked about, him playing, you know, in his mind he came here for an apprenticeship, if you will, to learn the offensive system to be developed to be the the parent, the next year.

And, we talked about that and we were willing to honor that.

And he said to me, things change.

I see things has changed.

With your thought, he said, coach, I want to play.

I said, I want you to play if that's what you want to do.

And, and this will be something that will be taken into consideration and not just an opportunity to go in, to run his own read and then take you out, that we would invest in you and we would develop you so that you become the best version of you, going forth.

And so, I think he is, an ascending player that continues to improve.

And the more he plays, I think the more productive he will be.

We're going to get to Van Buren in just a moment, but you can tell that the emotions, first of all, was very emotional after the game for Frank Wilson for a variety of reasons.

And most people know his dedication.

You can see his love there.

I don't think, you know, under the other regime that you're going to see the emotion with players seeing it.

Do you ever play with a coach that has the effect on players like yourself that you see Frank Wilson having on the players that he helps recruit?

And with this team right now?

Yeah, I think for me it was my linebackers coach in the NFL when I got to the Saints job.

He's still coaches with the Denver Broncos now coach 37 years.

But I think for for me as a player, I think most players don't allow coach to coach them until they feel like they can trust him.

And once you feel like you have that trust, like a coach truly cares about you, be on the jersey number.

That's when you elevate your game as a player.

And I think just you can tell there's love.

There's a different type of environment around the program.

And Kane, you know outstanding.

Played his best game since the start of the year Barry.

These guys getting touches.

Their coach saying, hey, we're going to run the ball and we're not going to go away from it just because didn't work early.

Those guys are beginning to see and listen to those words, and they trust the coaches in front of them.

And you can certainly see there's a different approach and a different emotion.

One thing that might be concerning to Tiger fans, when you heard him say, we have to find ways to score.

Once again, this offense did not get north of 25 points, but they finally, after several weeks, did get the win.

Van Buren gets the start at quarterback.

Let's talk about the day that he had your head coach was talking about, hey, I went to I said, you want to play?

He said, yeah, I want to play.

Not a bad debut as a starter.

21 to 31 for 221 yards.

He had the touchdown.

Also had 36 rushing yards.

What were your thoughts knowing that on Wednesday he was working with us on Thursday nights.

Got hurt on Saturday morning.

You're told, young man, you're going to start for us.

Well to go out there and play the way he did, getting that news that late, that tells you about the character of an individual.

It's hard to be a backup player, let alone the backup quarterback, because I tell you every week you got to prepare like you're the starter and then you don't get to play.

And to do that week after week after week, it gets exhausting.

And you know what?

He was prepared.

He was prepared for his moment.

Went in 21 to 31 for 221, manage the game good and used his legs to make plays on the outside.

Yeah.

And coach Frank talk about how he brings other things to the table than what they had with Nuss Meyer if they had to use them and we had to use those talents, he said, we will.

Well, they certainly use them all day long.

And he did enough to get the win over Arkansas.

But then there's the other side of the ball.

Scott.

What?

You have to look at it again.

We know that Arkansas came into this ballgame with a running quarterback.

Unless you struggle with that.

When they played Ole Miss week, they struggled with it against Texas A&M.

That defense had to be strong.

Look they forced three turnovers.

This is a mistake by Arkansas.

But LSU took advantage of it and jumped on it.

But they forced three turnovers a couple in the red zone for Arkansas.

That really could have helped the Razorbacks.

There's the outstanding interception even more impressive.

Third and goal.

Fourth and goal in the student section.

And the defense held on both of those plays.

To me, there were a lot of plays in this game that could have changed the outcome.

That was the play of the game.

To me, the goal line stand late in the game to to take back the momentum and three takeaways.

You're gonna win a lot of football games, but two for 11 on third down.

I think that to me it was the start of the game.

You kept Arkansas off the field.

You'd have to worry about that running quarterback as much when he wasn't on the field, able to use his legs.

Well, sometimes, like you've often said and shows we've done over the years.

Play between the 20.

What'd you get?

20 to the goal line.

It's a different ballgame.

Yeah.

Make teams kick field goals.

It's hard to win.

I don't care what level of football you're playing at, it is hard to win.

Just kicking field goals.

I know you people look at the box score total yards and the defense get up 20 yards.

You take the football away.

You make team kick field goal.

You're going to win games well.

And most importantly for LSU with the win over Arkansas now they now bulldoze eligible six wins.

Western Kentucky comes to Baton Rouge next week for the home finale and the tribute to the seniors.

Then they will finish up in Norman against a very good Oklahoma team.

But they got a big monkey off their back and it was a very impressive win over Arkansas.

There was late night football for Louisiana fans.

If you stayed up late to watch the Bulldogs from Louisiana Tech, Delaware one week ago on the East Coast, the Great Northwest.

Last night it was just after 9:00 central when they kick things off against Washington State.

Evan Bullock got the start at quarterback rolling out here to the left side.

He's looking for Jalen Mickens 15 yards on this completion.

And it's a first down.

Bulldogs have to go back to punt.

And early in the ballgame like 2.5 minutes into the ballgame.

Sonny Cumbie calling the trick play.

And it looks like it's going to work.

But Scott look at the defensive play here by Marley and Jackson.

What he where it's broken up.

Watch the play with the hands right here.

That's a heck of a play I mean just we talk about being a space player going out and making individual plays offenses and special teams.

They want to get the ball out there on the edge.

You got to make plays.

I mean, that play looks like it's going to work.

You can see even the shock.

I can't believe it didn't work.

But that was just a great individual play.

And it sets the Cougars up with good field position.

Xavier House to Joshua Meredith 23 yards.

And just like that now Washington State's in the end zone.

And they're up deep in their own territory.

Now Evan Bullock gets sacked for a loss of six.

So now it forces tech to punt.

And this one is a booming punt.

We're not taking this one Scott.

This one goes 65 yards.

But you hear the phrase sometimes you outkick the coverage.

Watch the bounce and then watch what happens on the return straight up straight to him.

And just like that, he's past six.

Defend a lot of white jerseys running by like blind in the night.

You got to open your eyes.

You got to be able to stop on a dime.

That's why you do those special teams.

Drills in space 65 yards on the kick Tony Freeman 58 yards going the other way.

It was an unbelievable return.

And it sets up house on the keeper here.

Left side early second quarter.

And it's 14.

Nothing Washington State first and ten.

Now for Louisiana Tech watch.

This is Bullock on the keeper for ten yards.

But he gets popped Scott we're going to take another look.

This isn't helmet to helmet.

This is helmet and shoulder pads probably the toughest area.

If it's not a concussion the ribs look at the shot he takes on the right side.

That's a side.

No Evans trying to get the first down.

Normally you'd want your quarterback to slide here.

He's trying to put it on the line for his team and dive across the first down.

But that's a tough shot to take as a quarterback.

He would have to leave the game eventually would come back.

But they checking him out on the sideline.

And now you're down another quarterback if you're Louisiana Tech.

End of the half John Hoyer from 56 yards.

Oh this was well left.

And it's no good.

But wait we've got a defensive penalty Washington State can't believe it because now they get another chance.

Let's switch kickers.

Hornets now holding.

Drew Henderson's now kicking.

And it's good 51 yards.

And the tech gets on the scoreboard rolling into the break.

It's 14 to 3.

But in the fourth quarter EC House again from one yard out makes it 21 to 3.

Trey Tucker is now in at quarterback because remember bullet got banged up with that shot that he took to the ribs.

Gets picked off here by Colby Humphrey.

It's a tough day for the Bulldog defense.

Our offense rather overall defense played tough for a while.

But in the end it was Washington State that would get the win 28 to 3.

They improve to five and five Louisiana Tech falls to five and five.

Still one win away from full eligibility.

Here's Sonny Cumbie after the game.

Yeah I would have liked to been able to see you know, I haven't had a great look in his eye opening act like I'm able to see how he would have done, you know, had he been healthy for the whole game.

You know, I think that he, he had a really good week of prep was throwing.

I was really into it tonight.

Took that huge hit.

And, you know, I think that, you know, we'll evaluate him, you know, tonight, tomorrow.

I think I'm hopeful that, you know, it'll be something that, you know, he can work through, you know, next week, he gives us a great chance, you know, throwing the football.

And I thought Trey competed.

But, you know, obviously we've got to be better there at that position.

And, and, you know, we've got to be more productive on offense.

As you can imagine, losing Baker one week ago and pull up that Bulldog offense a struggle over the last week.

Plus after that loss up there in Delaware, the combined for the 60 passing yards and an interception.

Louisiana Tech did fly back late Saturday night after the ballgame.

Now they get ready for the final home game of the season.

That will be next weekend against Liberty, and once again, they need that one win to get to six wins.

An automatic bowl LV penalty for the first time since 2019.

While Louisiana Tech was up in the Great Northwest, but the Warhawks when you all Monroe were at home up there off of I-20 welcoming Major Applewhite, former Catholic high star in Baton Rouge, coaching South Alabama.

South Alabama has to punt on this one early.

Jake Godfrey great return inside the 50.

Goes one way, turns around and goes left side 18 yards.

When it's all said and done.

And that's going to set up the Warhawks.

And really good field position shockingly Scott guess who gets the carry first.

Former South Alabama star Braylen McReynolds.

And there he goes.

That's what happens.

Oh you like it.

You guys miss me.

Exactly.

Making a statement 29 yards and a touchdown after one play the Warhawks are up seven.

Nothing later in the first, third and one.

Bishop Davenport on the keeper.

He gets stopped.

Where's Noah Fleming going?

Wait, wait.

Are we going the other way?

Take another.

That's a touchdown.

Take another look at this Scott Andre Mack with the strip.

They don't blow it dead.

He picks it up literally takes it out of his lap.

There he goes.

That was one man play until he hears a whistle.

Everybody else stood around thought they heard a whistle.

This guy scores a touch and there he goes.

Touchdown.

And it's 14 nothing Warhawks second quarter now Keenan Phillips with a tough run here 15 yards when it's all said and done Kentrell Bullock then cashes.

This went in and it's 14 seven as he scores from three yards out 14 seven is the score at the half.

We'll go third quarter.

Now it's third and 13.

Bishop Davenport he's going to fling this one over to Anthony Eger who's eager to keep going 48 yards on that reception.

Great field position for South Alabama.

Next play Davenport.

He keeps this one.

Left side 23 yards trying to find the block inside the five.

Gets knocked out of bounds at the one yard line.

Two plays later Davenport keeps it himself and punches it in.

And now we're tied at 14.

Great start out of the gate for Warhawks.

Now they've kind of slowed down and gone in the neutral.

Got to pick up something after Warhawk punt.

Davenport looking for Anthony Eger.

Right side gets down to the three yard line.

And on the next play it's Davenport again.

He helps him get down there.

And Davenport likes to pad the stats with the scores.

He punches it in.

It's 2214 early fourth quarter Kentrell Bullock eight yards left side.

Now it's 2614.

And South Alabama's getting separation Warhawks.

Looking to close the gap Aiden our men up top.

This is deflected.

And Scott this might be.

And I'm not overstating it.

This might be the interception of the year.

It looks plain.

Now I'm going to zoom in and I want you to take another look at the concentration here by Ty.

Good.

Well bounce bounce catch pins it on the helmet.

That's some serious hand-eye coordination.

Then he ends it with the Giants Patriot Super Bowl to the helmet catch.

Exactly to the helmet.

And he keeps it pinned against the helmet.

South Alabama goes on to win it 26 to 14.

Here's Brian Benson after the game.

I told him I said you know there's only one way to ever do anything.

And it's to do it to the end.

And that's all we know and that's all we've ever known.

And we're not going to get down.

We're not on.

This is the long haul.

This is a journey.

And look at yeah, we're better than you know.

We're better than that.

And we've got to show it.

We've got to show it.

But I love these seniors.

I love this class.

They meant a lot to this program, this town.

And we're not done.

We'll go to the end.

It's, you know, it's just frustrating for them.

We're going to finish.

We're going to fight to the end.

That's the only thing we know.

It's the only way they've been led.

And we just got to improve our execution.

The thing that's killed us is all year is it's the third and 20.

Again, you look up and you're in third and 25.

You're in third and 22.

The penalties put us in unmanageable third downs.

So it's hard to be good on third down when it's third and 20 plus.

And we've had a record of those this year, a record I think we're 61% under 800.

And you know, I think we're over seriously over 28 on third and 20.

And plus.

So we put we've just we put ourselves in bad situations from lack of execution and penalties.

And those are hard to overcome.

You know Aiden again he's not getting the penalties.

You know he's not you know, putting us in third and 15 third and 20 situations.

That's tough on quarterback when you look up, you know every couple of third downs and is third and 20.

So I mean he comes from the unit.

Every man that takes the field he comes from the unit.

And we had some big plays pulled back.

You know big plays pull back.

But it's all we got to fix.

You know we got to look at it and fix it.

So to where we're at Brian Vincent's starting to call for a little bit of accountability.

You know and the defense third and more than 15.

You're put years back.

You're coming at you.

You have a high success rate on third and that long third.

And long and really consider third and eight plus.

So well you're in third and 15, third and 20.

Yeah.

Everybody's just dropping back to the sticks playing that area and getting after the quarterback.

Yeah.

Look they were one for nine on third downs.

Just 154 total yards for the Warhawks.

And then you add to that eight penalties for almost 100 yards.

That's why you only had the ball for under 23 minutes.

And South Alabama came in to get the win.

Up in Monroe.

Well, last week the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Buckaroos had to sneak by one against Nichols Saturday night.

They were over in Lake Charles taking on the Cowboys from McNeese.

Devin Holden at quarterback on fourth and one, he hit Logan Molden for 16 yard play.

Then two plays later, we see Jake Strong.

He goes to Curtis Neville for 15 yards after Neville makes one big move there.

It leads to a Dylan Cameron field goal and that well, that's his first college field goal.

Congratulations young man 35 yards out.

It's three nothing Cowboys at this point.

End of the first quarter.

It's a two play drive.

And that's because play number two is a big one.

Strong to Matthew Mccalister fastest guy on the team.

You can forget it 85 yards.

He's gone.

In the first quarter the Cowboys had 157 total yards UT RGV had eight.

It's ten nothing McNeese first big mistake comes midway through the second quarter.

Strong pass is tipped and picked off by Jayden Winter UT RV's in good shape and Eddie Lee Marburger is going to scramble here.

He finds Tavion cord 21 yards for the touchdown.

Don't forget the Buckaroos are the highest scoring team in the Southland Conference.

Yes, southeastern beat them by double digits early this season in Hammond, but this team knows how to put points on the board.

Cowboys had to punt.

Now more.

Berger's running 26 yards up the middle.

Clock is ticking, but corrals are moving.

30s left in the half marker finds Tony Diaz back at the end zone and it's 1410.

The Bobcats lead at the break.

Third quarter it's third and goal from the six.

And the one thing you can't do is this take a sack.

Strong was trying to move, but he ran into a brick wall and it's a loss of four.

So now you have to settle for 27 yard field goal which is good.

But it's 1413 Utrgv second play in the fourth quarter the Vaqueros strike gold.

Marburger goes deep to Tony Diaz.

This young man can move and when he gets the ball in stride, you can forget it.

One of the reasons why they are the highest scoring team in the Southeastern Conference.

75 yards on that big strike, 21 to 13 Utrgv up and now the Cowboys are carrying something going nine minutes to go.

Fourth and three for the Cowboys and go for it.

But they come up two yards short.

Needed more.

Don't get it.

The defense holds.

And then the pickles put this one away.

More Bernarda Diaz again for a third time 28 to 13 is the score at that point in the first and third quarters, McNeese outgained Utrgv 234 to 24 in total yards, but they come up short on the scoreboard.

28 to 13 is your final.

Jake Strong throws for 275, but at two interceptions, the Vaccaro is, by the way, the most wins in the nation among all first year football programs.

They've been outstanding with what they've done eight wins on the season.

And they lead the conference in scoring.

Next game for McNeese, they close it out with the Border War in Beaumont next weekend against Lamar.

Well, the team that was on a bye this weekend, the Raging Cajuns from Louisiana.

They will be heading into their next game on a shortened week, but they're also coming off struggling because they won't have a full allotment of players.

This all took place following their last game a week ago against Texas State, when there was a postgame brawl, and because of the brawl, players were suspended from both teams.

And it's one of those situations the Cajuns have been dealt and now they have to deal with it.

And head coach Michael Decimos not happy about it.

Here's what happened in the handshake.

The coaches would greet Louisiana won the ball game, but afterwards the players get into it and there are some haymakers thrown, there are punches thrown, there are players knocked to the ground.

The Sunbelt Conference said the issue is over with.

They have addressed it, they have made the suspensions and they don't want to talk about it anymore.

But now the cages are dealt a short hand.

Going into this week's short week game against Liberty.

And as I mentioned, Michael Desormeaux, not pleased with what happened.

I just think it's really hard.

You know, you get attacked and I don't know how you're supposed to respond.

I mean, to be honest with you.

And and and those are things I mean, I don't know what you want.

I don't know, like, that's that's part of, like, the I don't understand how.

I don't understand how this wasn't cleared up before.

I don't understand how that this this wasn't once it broke the first time.

I don't understand how we didn't get people off the field.

I just don't understand how this happened.

And you know what you're supposed to do, you know?

I mean, if you're walking down the street and someone punches you in the jaw, I would imagine you'd probably want to fight them back.

You know?

So we're going to, you know, we're going we're going to deal with it.

We're going to do the best we can.

We're going to try to try to save as many guys as we can.

Because I think what happened is I think it's just I don't think we should have to be dealing with it, but we are.

We're going to have to, you know, Scott, it's something they're going to have to deal with.

Remember, this is the same weekend as the Grambling brawl as well.

Tyree skipper was suspended for two games.

That's the remainder of the season and any potential bowl game.

So his season and his college career is done.

Scott.

He's third on the team in tackles, flowers fifth on the team in tackles.

Khalil Jacob 14 tackles against Marshall, 31 on the year.

These are players that are contributing that will not play in this next game.

Yeah, well that's tough.

That's a lot of production.

And you know as a football player it's tough in those situations.

You're taught to stand up for your brother.

Be there.

And what do they want you to do is get out of the scene completely.

But, you know, I think you're wired to go help your teammates.

And I think that's why a lot of these guys are guilty by association.

Yeah.

So it's a tough situation.

As a Ranger.

Cage will be shorthanded coming up in their next ballgame.

So some of the games we are going to be looking towards as we head into week 13, three of them on Thursday night, including Louisiana, Stephen F Austin.

We're taking on Northwestern State as we talked about Nicholls and Southeastern for the bell.

That'll be the big classic game on Thursday night.

Then Liberty's at Louisiana Tech and the Bulldogs get win number six on the season.

Tulane needs a win to keep going in the American Western Kentucky at LSU.

And of course our Swac teams are on a bye as they get ready for the Bayou Classic.

Can't believe it.

We're down to two weeks left in the season, but we're looking forward to being there with you.

We thank you for wrapping things up on the Sunday, and we'll see you next Saturday for another edition of Game Notes.

Until then, for Scott, champions Victor all have a great week and we'll see you next week on LTV.

Major production funding for game notes is provided by Southern University and A&M College, and Hargrove engineers and Constructors, and the Robert Pugh Agency, with additional support from Lafayette Travel, the LSU Alumni Association, and the Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU, Louisiana Tech University, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Northwestern State University, Red Stick Sports, the U.S.

Army Baton Rouge Recruiting Battalion, the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and viewers like you.

Thank you.