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Well, good morning everybody.

Welcome to the first weekend of the month of October and week five of the college football season.

I'm Victor Howell.

Great to have you with us here for game Notes on LP.

We certainly have a lot to talk about.

Over the next 30 minutes.

We have homecomings splattered all across the state between Grambling and southern Louisiana.

Over in Lafayette, even Louisiana Christian.

But we're going to start this morning with some troubling news.

But it has to do with finances and the status of some of the major universities here in the state of Louisiana.

You know, you've heard the phrase when the other shoe drops.

Well, not only is it dropping on major college athletic programs, that shoe could very well kick some Louisiana programs to a different curb.

While there's no fear of LSU dropping in status, president Wade Roos did tell the state Board of Regents last week that the Tiger athletic program is projected to have a $26 million deficit this year.

Now, that's actually down from the over $40 million deficit they had last year after the major firing and shopping spree for coaches.

In addition to now the player payments, the Tiger Athletic Foundation or a F, will they raise enough money to cover that $44 million hole last year?

But you can only wonder just how much money can they keep raising for deficits in the athletic program.

Well, on a different level, the story might be a bit worse for other major colleges throughout the state.

During the September 22nd budget meeting, it was suggested that the three teams in the Louisiana system that's Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana Tech, who are all members of the Sun Belt Conference, actually dropped down to the FCS level, which would put them in the same playing arena as southeastern, McNeese, Northwestern State and Nicholls.

Now, during the meeting, the board was presented numbers showing that you had a $10 million deficit.

Louisiana Tech they're saddled with a $17 million deficit, and Louisiana-Lafayette had the largest at $20 million.

University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallet acknowledged something has to be done and changes made to stop the financial beating that's taking place, saying the board will be facing some very tough decisions.

Wilbur Pryor, a Shreveport attorney and member of the Regents board, added that universities need, quote, some humble pie.

The system has hired Deloitte to take a deep dive into the programs and try to come up with a path of sustainability.

The report is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year, which coincides with the end of the football season.

And from there, we'll get a much better idea of the future of those programs and where they might be headed or forced to go.

Stay tuned.

Well, one of those schools in question, Louisiana-Lafayette, is back at home tonight to open Sun Belt play against Arkansas State.

The cages have been led by their defense to this point.

And for the second straight week they both the conference player of the week, Brant Gordon Junior, earned the honor this week after an outstanding game against Charlotte, where he forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and had an interception and helping hold the 40 Niners to just 137 total yards, the lowest amount since 2001.

Head coach Michael Decimal is determined to make sure his defense continues to play loose, but ultra focused.

I mean, I think the last two weeks, you know, I mean, what we've done on defense has been, you know, I mean, it's been pretty, pretty special.

I mean, our defensive staff has done a really good job putting together plans, that our guys can go out there and go execute really well.

And they're executing.

You know, I mean, I, I told our team this, I said the more physical we play, the more effort we play with, and the more discipline we play with, the less scheme matters, and the more that whenever you're dominating, you're one on ones which we were able to do the last two weeks on defense, then scheme is not as big of a deal.

It gets to be a lot of fun when you start throwing scheme into it.

This week is going to be a different challenge.

You know, this is you know, this is you know, this is the second best team we've played this year behind USC.

Without a question.

So this week will be a challenge.

You know, it's not going to you know, I hope it is, but I highly doubt it will be like the last two weeks.

I think it will certainly be more challenging.

And, you know, we're going to push our defense to go out there and go try to play the standard that they've said.

Well, you heard decimals say playing physical let you play more freely.

And the numbers tell you the Cajuns defense has been flying free so far in the conference.

Look at the major categories.

They rank either number one or number two.

Now that second ranked rushing defense will be challenged tonight trying to contain Trey Owens, who is fifth in the conference in rushing at just over 140 yards per game.

It's a 7:00 kick tonight on campus where it's also homecoming.

Enjoy the festivities or enjoy the game if you're staying home where you can see it on ESPN plus.

Well, the Cowboys from McNeese have made the trip east down I-10 to face the LSU Tigers in their final non-conference game and to pick up a check on the way.

The Cowboys earned a huge conference win last weekend, beating East Texas A&M at Navarre Stadium, 2724.

We're just getting into October, but when it comes to conference implications, that was about as close to a must win as you can get.

The Cowboys had already dropped two games in conference and now have one home game left between now and the end of the season.

That's at the end of October.

This game won't affect the standings, but it's a huge opportunity to experience Tiger Stadium on a Saturday night and matchup against one of the nation's premier programs.

Number one, it's a challenge.

Number two, it's an opportunity and you have to look at it that way.

It's a huge challenge.

I mean, come on.

But it's an opportunity for us and we're going to do what we do regardless of what week it is.

We're going to prepare the way we prepare, we're going to go down there and play as hard as we can, and we got to come back from Baton Rouge, a better football team than what we love.

And because we still got another half of the season to play, look, it's going to be a tough task, but we're excited for the opportunity.

I know that I am for sure.

I've always enjoyed going to LSU.

We've said it since the first time we went in 2010 and I'll always will say it.

LSU has treated us with nothing but class every time we went.

It's been a great experience for us and always go back to the 2015 season, and Matt Barnett was right on my side.

We couldn't have been treated any more professional where we were treated.

It was just it was phenomenal.

I thought the way they handled that, the way they handled the whole situation and, you know, one of these days were write a book I'm going to put in there.

The president from LSU came to our locker room to make sure everybody was okay.

I mean, I mean, how cool is that?

So I thought that, we've always been treated good there.

Obviously, if you look at it, I mean, this is going to be the fourth time LSU has played us since 2010.

We're scheduled to go back in 29.

So LSU is basically going to play McNeese five times in a 20 year span, which that's that's pretty good.

So I got nothing to respect for them and and look forward for for the opportunity because I think it's a really cool place to play.

Hey, congratulations to senior linebacker Landon Barrett, who was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the week in that win.

Last weekend, Barrett snagged his first career interception that led to a cowboy touchdown and finished the game with 11 tackles.

He actually leads the Cowboys and tackles on the season.

Well, the Tigers are from LSU.

Enter tonight's game ranked 11th in the country.

And while you're always taught to never take an opponent lightly.

Tonight should be a chance for a lot of players to get an opportunity to hit the field, partially because LSU is expected to win, but also because of the injuries that have ravaged Lane Kiffin roster through just four games.

Kiffin was asked this week how cautious he would be playing certain players in this nonconference matchup tonight.

And his answer very.

Here we got seven conference games to go for more road conference games.

Whatever.

Probably five five of the seven are probably ranked.

So yeah, I mean you got to look at things differently.

I feel like because of what's happened, this is not about the opponent.

This is really about us practicing really well and going and play really well and and not look at who they played and what division and all those things.

These guys play hard, have good players.

And so this will be much more about us playing really well.

And the challenge to us all week to get better.

On fundamentals.

LSU hasn't struggled at all against in-state opponents, having won the last 40 contests.

Officially, these teams have met twice.

It was supposed to be three times, but that 2015 matchup you heard Matt reference never got played.

It was suspended for hours due to weather before officials finally called the game off.

It's family weekend in Tiger Town, so hopefully everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoy the game tonight.

If you don't have tickets, you can see it on the SEC network and it kicks off at 645.

It's homecoming weekend up in Grambling, highlighted by this afternoon's 2:00 kick between Grambling and Alcorn State.

The Tigers need a rebound from last weekend's tough loss in Dallas to prayer Hugh, and if they get it done, well, they'll do it without quarterback RJ Johnson, who will be missing his second straight game.

Meanwhile, the Braves feature the top rated passing QB and Jalen Tolbert, who's thrown for almost 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns already.

Enjoy all the homecoming festivities, Tiger fans, but if you can't make it, don't worry.

You can see the action on Swac TV.

Well, it's also homecoming on the Bluff in Baton Rouge, where the Southern Jaguars are looking for win number three at home.

And on the season tonight, they host Arkansas Pine Bluff and head coach Marshall Faulk is hoping tonight is when his team takes that next step by putting for full quarters of consistent football together.

Yeah, we need our playmakers to make plays and our role players to play their role.

That's what we need.

We need, we need those guys to get out there and, and and not just make a play, but be consistent at making plays.

In today's world, it's hard to get kids to understand the importance of consistency.

You know, not just showing up, but showing up with the right intent, with the right intent, and not to just get the job done, but to get the job done.

We need effort.

And I'm going to continue to stress that to them.

Until until until they do it.

And even when they do it, I'm gonna still stress it because it is important for the first half against Alabama State.

The second half against Jackson State.

You know we are going to say we competed.

But you have to compete for home games against teams like that.

They're well coached.

They got they got good players.

And they just don't have many weaknesses.

And you got to go out and you gotta you gotta beat, you got to beat them.

They're not going to beat themselves.

So here's a breakdown of last week's road loss to Jackson State and to Fox Point.

Look at what Jay State was able to do in the first half on the left of the screen, as opposed to what southern limited them to in the final two quarters on the right of the screen.

Some drastic differences that explain why he's getting so frustrated.

They'll try to turn it around against you.

A PB who couldn't help but notice that the word homecoming is tied to their appearance in Baton Rouge.

Every game is like a it's a playoff.

So, we're excited about that opportunity.

You know, they're coming off a loss.

They're going to be there, ready to go.

And obviously, you know, I think when you when you, sign up people for homecoming, I think you've probably got a good feeling that you're probably going to win the game.

Right?

So, you know, I think we picked dead last.

Every year I've been here.

So I think they probably thought we'll just sign up UAB for homecoming.

I heard coach what he said that when you book a team on homecoming, you think that they're soft.

Now, that's not the case.

We're approaching this game with all the respect possible.

I don't believe that there's a such thing as a softness or an easy game or anything like that.

You know, a game fell where it is.

It's homecoming.

We're going to come out just like we do what every other game and, and, and impose our will and go and go for the win.

That's what we're trying to do.

Well, after tonight, Jaguar fans won't see their team again in Mumford Stadium until November 3rd.

Straight on the road, sandwiched around a bye week is how October shakes out.

So it's an important one tonight on the bluff.

But one more thing, coach.

I know your kicking game has had some ups and downs this season.

Any thoughts on that?

I'm real and I'm going to take my shots and take my chances.

And if my partner's not putting well we're playing with all four downs.

I don't care where we're at on the field.

And if my if my kick is not if he's not kicking him supporting I'm not trying field goals.

We're going to go for it.

That's just man.

That's where we're at right now.

I'll kick him out.

Kickers I'm not I'm not I'm not I'm not doing play with you guys.

They suck right now like I'm talking.

And I don't know where you're coming from.

I don't know why this is the case.

We can't kick the ball inbounds.

We can't kick apart.

We can't flip the field.

We can't make extra points look like Charlie Brown yesterday.

You know, I'm just like.

It's just not like we're at a higher level than that.

And my expectations for them are greater.

And when they give me crap, I'm gonna tell you guys the truth, man.

That's just that's not acceptable.

Like, they got a job to do.

Their job.

They got one job to do, and you do your job.

This guy's out there banging their heads, getting banged up.

You don't even get hit.

And you just got to make a. I'm going to put you down for a no opinion.

Kick off the schedule for 6:00 tonight on the bluff.

And you can see it from start to finish on Swac TV.

Well, after really finding their groove over the last few weeks, the Lions from southeastern have hit their bye week to open the month of October.

But riding a three game win streak with an average of 40 points per game scored.

Are they happy to be at home instead of keeping that momentum going this weekend?

It's the first question I asked head coach Frank earlier this week, when he was nice enough to spend some time with game notes.

Yeah, like you said, it's a never ending question.

Nobody knows that.

Nobody can, you can't gauge that.

I don't think it's something that you, say.

Oh, I wish we didn't have it this week.

It is where it is on the schedule, and we plan for it.

So we've taken the the all the things that we did to get ready for this week.

So that we can, as we go forward, be able to capitalize on the time that we had this week to focus more mainly on us, right?

Instead of the opponent.

And sometimes coaches are probably the worst.

You can't see the forest for the trees.

You, you you spend so much time game planning that you forget to really take a hard look at your own personnel.

And that's what we're doing this week.

That's what we do during the open week.

Ever since I've been here.

Now that you're really getting getting set for the heart of of conference play, what is it as a staff you're going to focus on?

I have a couple examples I want to ask you about in a moment.

But as you enter the by week and you want to evaluate, is there anything in particular you want your staff to look at as you get ready for for that big stretch run and all these important games?

Well, we do we we self scout everything.

So everything.

Offensively defensively special teams wise we'll be doing some self scout and taking a look at the percentages.

Because that's how teams will break us down and be able to and and get their game plan set for us.

So we do those things.

But then I think the biggest thing for us is to really take a hard look at our personnel.

When you look at a 12 game schedule, limited roster spots and then with in limited scholarships available for us, you know, other schools don't have that, but we've got that.

We've got to really do a good job of evaluating our guys and see who can help us out in certain situations.

And that's what we're doing this week.

And I'm not saying this tryouts, but it's development.

It's continuing to grow the bottom half of your roster to be able to go into games and use them, which helps the top half of your roster from a practice standpoint, and also from a game rep standpoint that those guys aren't being worn down.

I know at the beginning of the season, tough loss to open the season and then one on the road, and you talked about wanting to see your team get more consistent.

You talked about you called out some players about showing leadership.

And here you are in your last two games now, you've averaged 45 points a game, zero turnovers, four penalties.

So next to no penalties, you led the conference in penalties last year.

In terms of least number, what were the changes you've seen in the improvement so far that you wanted the team to learn from, from those early losses that have now led to the success you've had over these last few weeks?

It's it's understanding what it takes to win.

And I think when you have a collection of new players, which we have this year, we had 26 seniors.

We brought in 31 to 32 high school kids, about 8 or 9 transfers.

And so you're looking at them, you know, over a 30 year roster, almost 40% of your roster is brand new and don't understand what we do here and the way we do things.

And I think what's really the eye opening thing for them was you can tell them, but a lot of times they really have to experience it and they had to experience some of the you and you hate to do it.

The pitfalls of, of, you know, a lack of success early on and not being consistent.

And then when they saw that by doing some of the things we're asking them to do and committing to that process, that, they were going to have success not only as a team but as an individual.

And we're seeing those things now.

They're they're they're doing some of the things that we needed them to do early on from a mindset standpoint of how we practice and prepare and then how how that translates to the game on Saturdays.

Well, my thanks to coach for his time during his by week, and you'll hear more from my interview with head coach Frank next week on Game Notes.

Well, the team that they just beat the demons from Northwestern State are in Beaumont, Texas for tonight's game against number 14 Lamar.

The learning process continues to develop for the demons, who at times show plenty of life and competitive potential.

It's getting that to show up consistently, or at least earlier in a game.

That's been the problem for head coach Blaine McCorkle following the loss to Weber State in Utah two weeks ago.

McCorkle had that been here, done that, seen this bike before?

Of a feeling last Saturday night when they played the Lions.

Yeah, yeah.

Very similar game to Weber State.

Got behind early 21 to nothing.

Just like we did Weber State in a hurry.

And mostly because of our own doing, not because anything that they really did, we kind of gave them that early lead.

So we definitely got to learn to start faster.

And then once, just like at Weber State, once we settle down and then the game got flowing, we realized we can play with people and that's, you know, it's highly encouraging and very frustrating all at the same time.

I don't know if there's a good form of frustrated, but that's kind of where we are.

It's really awkward place that we're in.

And we've just got to believe we can go out there and start and play with people, you know?

And once we realize that, we're we're good.

So, I think we'll get there.

I think we're learning from it.

It's all part of the growing process.

Southeastern is a really, really good football team.

You know, they went to the playoffs last year for a reason.

They'll have a chance to go again this year.

For a reason.

When you kind of prove to yourself that you can go toe to toe with those guys in moments.

Hopefully that continues to give our guys a little confidence, because little surely needed this week because Lamar is is just as good, if not better, probably a better football team than we've seen so far this year.

Well, tonight's opponent, Lamar, returned home last weekend after beating Nicholls and basically had to get reintroduced to the campus in the city.

The Cardinals spent the entire month of September on the road.

So as if the demons don't already have a big enough challenge, they'll have to deal with the team and the crowd extra amped up about returning home.

Its Covid for 6:00 kick tonight in Beaumont.

You can catch all of the action on ESPN plus.

We made way too many mistakes in the first half in all three phases of the game.

And you know, you pointed to the kickoff, we finally answered it and then we gave up the big return.

And you know, that was another mistake on our part and the way that we kicked the ball and the way that we covered it.

And so we got to play much better in all three phases early in the game.

We're able to get into third down a number of times in the first half, and we're not able to get off the field, whether it was then making a play or our own penalties, that extended drives for them, that it was critical in the first half that we were get off the field and give our offense another opportunity because we felt like we could move the ball.

But, you know, unfortunately we weren't able to do that.

Extremely disappointing the outcome of the game.

We take a ton of pride in playing at home, our guys working hard to protect home field and to have that be an advantage for us.

So this one hurts.

It hurts a lot.

But you're exactly right.

Our season is not over.

We got a ton of work to do to improve this team and to keep it moving forward.

We still have goals.

We still have aspirations.

Today was a huge setback, but we know that we'll be able to rebound from it and keep it moving forward.

Well, that was Nichols head coach Tommy right back in last week after that home loss to the Cardinals from Lamar.

It was just the second loss in Thibodaux under Ryback.

And this season both of the wins for Nicholls have been at home.

Things are about to get a little more challenging for the Colonels, since they'll have three of the next four games on the road.

A place right back has yet to register a win.

He'll try again tonight over in Houston, Texas, when his team faces Houston Christian.

Kickoff is set for 6:00.

You can catch all of the action on ESPN plus.

Well, one more week.

Just one more week to wait until the Bulldogs from Louisiana Tech open up conference play in their new home, the Sun Belt.

But what a way to end their nonconference slate hosting Army, a team that leads the country in rushing and beat you rather handily two years ago when you faced them in the Independence Bowl?

With the schedule set as it is back to back games against LSU and Baylor, and now the unique playing style of Army head coach Sonny Cumbie was glad the by week fell when it did last week, so his team could take advantage of the extra time to get healthy and get prepared.

We had a great by week last week.

Guys I think were arrested.

We were able to get some really good practice in, you know, the three days that we did practice in preparation for Army, a really good football team coming off of a big win against temple and obviously present a lot of different problems for our defense.

And from an offensive standpoint, they do a tremendous job.

There's I have to count them up, but I know there's several guys on our team that were in that bowl game two years ago that played against their offense.

And so you have, you know, what it feels like and how fast it happens and how fast it gets comes to you.

And so I think that from a reference point is is beneficial for our players.

It's going to be a great challenge for us.

They you know, play the game very physical, very tough football team really should be, you know, minus the fourth and sixth conversion.

The South Florida hit a vertical route at the end of the game.

You know, very likely should be three and zero.

And so it's a good time for us in terms of the by week, you know, in terms of rest preparation, you know, for this upcoming opponent as we wrap up really, you know, wrap up the second toughest non-conference schedule in all group of six.

And and it's going to be a big challenge for us Saturday night at 630.

I'm looking forward to having a great home crowd and looking forward to being back in front of Joe Stadium and our fans again.

Now, remember when LSU played tech a few weeks ago and the Tigers talked about having to spend so much time preparing for a defense that tech runs because it's so different and unique from most every other school.

Well, that's what it's like trying to scout and prepare for Army, because look at these numbers.

They literally run over, around and through you for four quarters.

It's a relentless ground attack that uses traditional sets and then oddities like the option.

Well, having seen Army two years ago help the Bulldogs prepare for this one.

We'll find out tonight.

They kick it off at 6:00 in Ruston and we'll all watch it together on ESPN.

Plus, we'll just down I-20 from Ruston.

Down in Monroe.

The Warhawks from Ulm are hoping the start of the second season brings about some wins.

It's been a tough go of it the first four weeks of the season in nonconference play.

Some bright spots, absolutely glimmers of hope for turning the corner, of course.

But while they've come up short against their first four opponents, head coach Brian Vincent hasn't felt like anyone completely beat them.

Maybe other than Mississippi State, it's been more like they've kept themselves from winning with too many mistakes and too many missed opportunities.

And against the South Alabama team they'll face tonight in mobile.

He knows they have to improve and it has to happen now.

I think this is a really good South team.

They're offensively you know they're detailed.

They're fishing.

They're averaging I think 34 minutes 34 minutes time of possession which is incredible.

That's number one in the in the league.

That's number five in the country.

So third downs and fourth downs are going to be critical.

You know we're winning a lot of first and second downs.

We give out a win third downs and we've got to be able to get off the field.

I think we've got 20 two third and threes in under 22.

So we're winning first and second down and we're not executing those third and short.

So on Tuesdays we've been going live and in color short yardage.

You know you just go back to the last play.

You know Nick drills one of our best receivers you know and he plays with everything he's got.

That was the third down.

Even at the end of the game that's there.

She got to execute him.

And so we're putting a major emphasis on it.

We're doing extra preparation in it.

And the same thing on defense you know showed up the last game 58%.

But then there were the turnovers, you know.

So no turnovers this game.

Ball security balls King takeaways.

You just got to continue to emphasize it in the film meetings and on the practice field.

And then it's got to carry over to the game.

Well to Vincent's point the crack research staff here at Game Notes took a deep dive into their third down situations.

You know what?

He's right.

They get positive yards on first downs.

But by the time they get to a third down, their averaging needing over five yards per play and just three conversions of nine or more yards.

But it doesn't get much better when you get to third and shorts, so we'll see if they can crack the win column for the first time this season.

Tonight, when they kick things off against South Alabama just outside of mobile.

6:00 is kick time.

Check out all of the action on ESPN plus.

And there will be afternoon football at Wildcat Field in Pineville, where Louisiana Christian celebrates homecoming against East Texas Baptist.

This is the battle of the Border Claw.

It's the second of three straight, three straight home games for LCU, who continues to put up gaudy numbers there, outscoring opponents 51 to 30.

If you can't make the game, you can stream it on the 446 sports YouTube page.

And that's about all the damage we can do here on a Saturday morning.

It's time to play some football.

Hope the weather holds up for everybody.

Enjoy the games.

If you're going out there, enjoy being at home.

If you're watching on TV and join us Monday when we recap it all on post-game notes.

Until I see you then for everybody here at LP, I'm Victor Howell.

Thanks for joining us for game those here on LP Bank.

Major production funding for game notes is provided by Southern University and A and M College and Hargrove Engineers and Constructors and the Romp Pugh Agency, with additional support from Lafayette Travel, the LSU Alumni Association, and the Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU, Louisiana Tech University, Northwestern State University.

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