Amidst preparation for their eighth consecutive bowl game, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team earlier this week received special news that came rather unexpectedly: redshirt senior safety Tyree Skipper would be reinstated by the Sun Belt Conference for the 68 Ventures Bowl. And in today's media availability, head coach Michael Desormeaux and defensive coordinator Jim Salgado expressed their gratitude and emotions about being able to have him for one last game. "I'm incredibly grateful for [Sun Belt] Commissioner [Keith] Gill for reconsidering his suspension," Coach Des said. He later mentioned that ever since the suspension and prior to the reinstatement, Skipper had not missed a single team function or been late for anything, focusing on schoolwork and practicing with the team all while knowing he would not be able to play in any of the final three games. He was even voted scout team player of the week last week and has almost unanimously been voted the team captain by the team. "Skip has taken full responsibility. He's been a model teammate leader...He's done everything the way that you want a guy to do." Defensive coordinator Jim Salgado also expressed his gratitude about Tyree Skipper, emphasizing how special it is to be able to have one last game together. "I FaceTimed [Skipper], and...he said, we're going to be able to do this one more time together. And, you know, that's special. I'm just glad he gets a chance to do that...He's done a lot for this place, so it's big." A few weeks ago, following UL's 42-39 victory over Texas State, a post-game altercation between the two teams led to suspensions on both sides by the Sun Belt Conference. Six Texas State players were suspended, while Louisiana had seven players given suspensions. 11 of the 13 players were to serve one-game suspensions, and TXST's Tymere Jackson, who supposedly started the entire altercation, was suspended for two games. But one player received the biggest of all the suspensions, and that was star safety Tyree Skipper, who was given a suspension for the remainder of the season including any potential bowl game. This conclusion was made after it was determined that Skipper swung a helmet at another player during the brawl. With this year being Skipper's redshirt senior year, that basically meant his collegiate career was over. Following the suspensions announcement, Skipper wrote a heartfelt and well-written apology on X, which included, "I understand that as a leader, I have to hold myself to a higher standard. That moment doesn't define who I am or the values I stand for." That public apology was eventually received by Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill, which prompted his reconsideration on Skipper's suspension going into the bowl game. According to the Sun Belt Conference, the reinstatement decision was made with support of both UL and TXST administrations. Tyree Skipper himself was at media availability today as well and emphasized how much it meant to him that he would be able to finish his collegiate career off on a positive note. "It was the greatest news I got all year...Finishing one more with the guys, man that means everything to me. This is the game you'll remember for the rest of your life, the last game of your collegiate career...I even shedded some tears." Skipper, a redshirt senior, has been on the team all six years of his collegiate career. Earning All-Sun Belt Conference 2nd team honors last year and Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference 1st team this year, the New Orleans has been the leader of this secondary all season. Leading the safeties room in tackles, Skipper has recorded a sack and an interception this season prior to his suspension. With him returning for one final game, he looks to mimic those stats against Delaware and even more, as the Cajuns set to face the Blue Hens in the 68 Ventures Bowl game on Wednesday at 7:30pm in Mobile, Alabama. This article written by Abdul Abusada of Cajuns Insider and Cajun Sports Talk. Don't forget to tune into Cajuns Insider podcast shows on all The Kneaux socials every week during the football season! Our next episode is this upcoming Monday at 6pm. Also don't forget to tune into The Cajun Sports Talk Podcast Show on @CajunSportsTalk on YouTube every Tuesday evening!

Louisiana Athletics have been working the phone lines today as they have set their second future non-conference matchup of the day. Just hours after the announcement that the Cajuns would be making a trip to USC in 2026, it has been revealed that Louisiana will make a trip to Fort Worth, Texas in 2028 to play the Horned Frogs of TCU out of the Big 12 Conference. The game will be played in week 3 of the 2028 season on September 16th at Amon G. Carter Stadium, and will be the second all-time matchup between the two schools in football. Louisiana and TCU last met in the 2024 Isleta New Mexico Bowl, where the Horned Frogs earned a 34-3 win. The Cajuns, who were depleted due to a large number of players opting out and entering the transfer portal, were limited to just two red-zone opportunities, taking advantage in one of them with a short 24-yard field goal that gave them their only points. TCU's QB Josh Hoover threw for 4 touchdowns and 252 yards. TCU finished their 2025 regular season with an 8-4 record, and are now shifting focus on playing #16 USC in the Alamo Bowl at the end of the month. Louisiana on the other hand finished 6-6 after a four-game win stretch to earn bowl eligibility, and look to end 2025 with a winning record as they set to face 6-6 Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl. This article written by Abdul Abusada of Cajuns Insider and Cajun Sports Talk. Don't forget to tune into Cajuns Insider podcast shows on all The Kneaux socials every week during the football season! Also don't forget to tune into The Cajun Sports Talk Podcast Show on @CajunSportsTalk on YouTube every Tuesday evening!

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team are scheduled to meet with the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, September 12, 2026, Cajuns Insider learned. USC will host the Cajuns at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with UL getting a $1.3 million guarantee for playing the game, according to Kevin Kelley of FBSchedules.com. This will be the first ever football matchup between the two schools. USC, a Big Ten school, has a record of 2-0 against Sun Belt teams, while Louisiana has an 0-6 record against Big Ten opponents. UL will have a chance to earn their first win against a Big Ten opponent when they make the cross-country trip to Los Angeles. USC finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and ranked 16th in the CFP Top 25, which included wins against #15 Michigan and #21 Iowa. They finished the season top 10 in total offense, averaging 472 yards and 36.5 points per game. R-Jr QB Jayden Maiava and R-Fr RB King Miller have been on the throne for this high-powered offense, both with the potential of returning to USC next season for another run at the playoffs. The Trojans are currently set to face the TCU Horned Frogs in the Alamo Bowl. With this addition, Louisiana's non-conference schedule, as of now, appears to be set for 2026. The Cajuns will play all four non-conference opponents in the first four weeks of their season, kicking off against an FCS opponent, the Lamar Cardinals, in Lafayette on September 5th. They will then head to Los Angeles to face USC the next week, then will be back home to face the UAB Blazers of the American Conference on September 19th. Following that game, the Cajuns are currently scheduled to play in Ruston against a familiar foe in Louisiana Tech on September 26th. However, the Bulldogs are set to join the Sun Belt Conference, which could happen either prior to the start of 2026 or 2027. If they do join in 2026, that game against Louisiana Tech would be taken off of the Cajuns' schedule, re-opening UL's search for another non-conference game. This article written by Abdul Abusada of Cajuns Insider and Cajun Sports Talk. Don't forget to tune into Cajuns Insider podcast shows on all The Kneaux socials every week during the football season! Also don't forget to tune into The Cajun Sports Talk Podcast Show on @CajunSportsTalk on YouTube every Tuesday evening!

The Game Saturday’s clash between the Southeastern Lions and the Lamar Cardinals is, without a doubt, one of the biggest FCS games of the week and possibly the defining moment of the Southland Conference season. Both teams enter at 7-2, but Southeastern sits atop the standings at 5-0 in conference play, while Lamar’s 4-1 mark leaves them one game back after last week’s loss to UIW. A win for Southeastern would certainly position the Lions well for the Southland Conference title and keep them firmly in the driver’s seat for an FCS playoff berth. For Lamar, this game represents their last real shot to stay in the title hunt. A loss to Southeastern today would all but end their hopes for the conference crown and a shot at the FCS post season. Kickoff in Beaumont is set for 3 PM in what promises to be a physical, high-energy battle. The Season So Far Southeastern has been dominant in FCS play, averaging 47.1 points per game while giving up just 12.2 points per game for a point differential of +34.9, ranking among the FCS leaders in point differential. In 9 games, the Lions have outgained opponents by over 110 yards per game (402.9 to 289.1), powered by a balanced offense and a ruthless defense. Quarterback Carson Camp leads the passing attack with 1,313 yards and 11 TDs, while Kyle Lowe has also put up numbers in the passing game (723 yards, 7 TDs). Jaylon Domingeaux remains a steady playmaker, averaging 70 yards per game and 8 TDs on the year. On the ground, the committee of Deantre Jackson, Calvin Smith Jr., and Jaedon Henry coupled with the running ability of Kyle Lowe continues to control tempo and wear down defenses. Defensively, Southeastern is thriving behind the leadership of guys like KK Reno, Kaleb Proctor, Jakyri Jones, and Ian Conerly-Goodly. The Lions lead the conference with 29 sacks. They have forced 11 turnovers, holding FCS opponents to under 290 yards per game. What truly separates this Southeastern team from the rest of the Southland is its elite special teams play. The Lions have scored in every possible way this season, whether it be offense, defense, or special teams, and their return units have been lethal. Brandon Hayes and D’Khai Joseph have combined for multiple kickoff and punt return touchdowns, consistently flipping field position and providing momentum-changing plays. The Lamar Story After starting 7-1 and climbing into the national rankings, Lamar’s momentum took a hit last week in San Antonio, falling 24-17 to UIW. The Cardinals are physical on defense, led by LB C.J. Miller (51 tackles) and DL Andrew Huff (4.5 sacks), allowing only 22.4 points per game. Their offense averages 296 yards per game, with quarterback Aiden McCown throwing for 948 yards and 7 TDs, supported by running back Xavier Coleman’s 346 yards rushing, yet their offense has gone stagnant late in games, a problem that haunted them even in wins against East Texas A&M and UTRGV. Their special teams, however, remain dangerous. Kyndon Fuselier is one of the top return men in the nation, averaging 19.0 yards per punt return with two TDs, while kicker Ben Woodard is 12-for-14 on field goals, including a 57-yard bomb. Expect Lamar to rely on field position and turnovers to stay competitive. With all of this, the statistics tell a clear story, Lamar’s offense ranks near the bottom of the conference in total yardage, while Southeastern’s defense ranks among the highest. If the Lions continue to play their brand of fast, physical football, they should control the line of scrimmage and dictate tempo early. Predictions This matchup carries massive weight in the Southland title race and the FCS playoff picture. Southeastern can all but clinch the conference with a win, while Lamar is fighting to stay alive. Expect a fired-up home crowd in Beaumont, but the Lions have shown time and again that they thrive in pressure situations. According to Dimers.com, the Lions enter as 9.5 point favorites with a money line of -350, while Lamar sits at +255. The total for the game is set at 51.5 points, suggesting an expectation of moderate scoring but with Southeastern’s balance on offense and defensive discipline, the Lions could easily move that number upward if they start fast like they have all season. The keys to victory in this game are simple: win the line of scrimmage, protect the football, and sustain drives. Southeastern’s defensive front will be tested against Lamar’s offensive line, but have been dominant all year. The Lions’ offensive efficiency, averaging 402.9 yards per game, should continue to wear down a Lamar defense that has struggled late against physical teams. Final Prediciton: Southeastern 31, Lamar 20. The Lions keep rolling, improve to 8–2 (6–0 SLC), and move one step closer to locking down a conference championship and postseason berth. Where to find me? X: @LionUpLeBlanc You can also see me on the weekly Louisiana Gameday show, previewing all the College Football in Louisiana! Lion Up!

The Battle of the Lions The Southeastern Louisiana Lions delivered a complete performance in front of the home crowd of 4,121 on Military Night, dismantling East Texas A&M 59-14 in a statement victory at Strawberry Stadium. With the win, Southeastern improves to 7–2 overall and 5–0 in Southland Conference play, continuing their march toward a potential conference championship and FCS playoff berth. The win this week moved the Lions up to No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coach's Poll and No. 19 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 from No. 16/21. All week leading up to kickoff, fan account WeAreETAMU had plenty to say on X, predicting an upset in Hammond. The Lions responded where it mattered most, on the field. By the time the final whistle blew, Southeastern had outclassed their Southland foe in every phase of the game, forcing the talk from Commerce to turn to near complete silence. Southeastern’s offense set the tone early and never looked back, totaling 476 yards, 340 through the air and 136 on the ground, while holding ETAMU to just 291. Quarterback Carson Camp led the way with an efficient 11/18 for 226 yards and two touchdowns, while Kyle Lowe added 85 yards and a touchdown on 9/11 passing. Tanner Murray saw action as well in the fourth quarter, going 3/4 for 29 yards. Jaylon Domingeaux continued his incredible campaign, hauling in four catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight 82-yard bomb that put the first points on the board. The backfield committee was again steady and balanced as Kyree Paul, Calvin Smith Jr., Jaedon Henry, and Deantre Jackson combined for 114 rushing yards on 21 carries. Smith Jr. led the charge with two touchdowns, while Paul and Jackson each added one. Coach Scelfo’s Lions showed a ruthless edge all night, refusing to take their foot off the gas. Up 28-0 late in the first half, Southeastern could’ve run out the clock, but instead drove the field with 1:36 remaining and scored again to make it 35-0 at halftime. Then, up 52-7 with under three minutes to play, the Lions threw one more touchdown to make it 59-7, reaffirming that this team continues to play all the way to the final whistle. From a fan’s perspective, that relentless mentality is exactly what you want to see; no coasting, no mercy, just pure dominance from start to finish. Defensively, the Lions continued to assert themselves as one of the most complete units in the FCS. Linebacker KK Reno led with 10 tackles, while Ian Conerly-Goodly made a major impact with an interception, a pass breakup, and several key stops. Rowan Briggs forced a fumble and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, while Jakyri Jones added 1.5 TFLs and a pass breakup. The pass rush was ruthless with sacks coming from Briggs, Evan Aubrey, Gabe Whittington, Kaleb Proctor, and Peyton Anderson. Special teams once again contributed in a big way. D’Khai Joseph electrified the crowd with a 63-yard punt return touchdown, totaling 117 yards on returns for the night. Brandon Hayes added 35 yards on a kick return, and Kyree Paul added another 30. Kicker Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez drilled a 43-yard field goal and was perfect on PATs, while Jack Hunter averaged 42 yards on his two punts, both pinning ETAMU deep. Lion Up LeBlanc’s Players of the Game Offense - Carson Camp: Carson Camp was 11/18 for 226 yards and 2 TDs. Camp was in full control of the offense leading the Lions to their most dominant offensive showing of the year. Defense - Jakyri Jones: Jakyri Jones had 9 total tackles (6 solo, 1.5 TFL, 1 BrUp) helping to hold ETAMU to only 291 total offensive yards! Jones is a consistent producer week after week. Special Teams - D’Khai Joseph: D'Khai Joseph had 117 punt return yards, including a 63-yard touchdown, his second Punt Return TD of the year. He averaged 29.2 yards per return. Looking Ahead The Lions now hit the road for a pivotal Southland showdown with the Lamar Cardinals (7-2, 4-1 SLC), a team looking to bounce back after a tough loss to UIW that drastically reduced their conference title chances. Lamar will be hungry for redemption, but for Southeastern, Coach Scelfo's mission remains clear: keep playing mistake free football, build consistency, and play like we have all year. In his Monday Morning press conference, the Head Coach indicated that this week is business as usual for the Lions and just one more game. This matchup begins a crucial two-game road stretch before returning home for the heated River Bell Classic against Nicholls. With confidence surging and all three phases firing, the Lions are looking to close strong and prove once again why they’re among the FCS elite. Stay tuned for my pre-game report on the Lamar matchup later this week! Where to find me? X: @LionUpLeBlanc You can also see me on the weekly Louisiana Gameday show, previewing all the College Football in Louisiana. Lion Up!