By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – Make no mistake about it.

With individual awards such as the Heisman Trophy and the Biletnikoff Award the only glory left on the table this season for No. 15 LSU, Tigers’ head coach Brian Kelly unapologetically is going for the gusto.

Saturday night in Tiger Stadium against 31-point non-conference underdog Georgia State, Kelly turned loose Heisman Trophy contender Jayden Daniels for almost 3½ quarters. It was enough time for Daniels to throw six TD passes and run for two more, tying 2019 Heisman-winning QB Joe Burrow’s school single-game record for TD responsibility in the Tigers’ expected 56-14 blowout of the Panthers.

“Everybody knew what was at stake,” Daniels said. who led LSU (8-3 overall) to TDs on the Tigers’ first eight possessions before he turned the controls over to backup QB Garrett Nussmeier for LSU’s last possession. “We just kept flowing. We had eight possessions and eight touchdowns. Once I tied the (Burrow) record (on a 40-yard TD pass to Biletnikoff candidate Malik Nabers with 8:59 left), I was trying to go (in the game) again. But I got shut down.”

Kelly, Georgia State and hopefully Heisman voters saw another brilliant dominating performance that has become the norm for Daniels. The senior second-year transfer from Arizona State leads the nation in four statistical categories including averaging 408.2 total offense yards.

Daniels torched the Panthers for 509 yards. He completed 25 of 30 passes for 413 yards with TD strikes of 18 and 40 yards to Nabers, 27 and 13 yards to Kyren Lacy, 70 yards to Brian Thomas Jr. and 3 yards to Mac Markway. He also ran for 96 yards on 10 carries, scoring on a 14-yard dodge-and-dash and a 1-yard sneak.

“We’re down to one game left in the (regular) season (next Saturday at home vs. Texas A&M),” Kelly said. “It’s our job to continue to put a young man in a positive situation and an opportunity to show his skills to everybody.”

Another reason Daniels stayed in the game longer than usual in a blowout was the Panthers limited LSU to just five first-half possessions.

Georgia State, which scored 14 points in each in a pair of identical 42-14 losses to James Madison and Appalachian State, played the Tigers to a 14-14 tie through the game’s first 17:15.

The Panthers’ TDs weren’t flukes. They culminated in scoring drives of 75 and 79 yards on GSU’s first and third possessions.

Quarterback Darren Grainger surgically carved up LSU’s notoriously weak secondary, completing his first 12 of 14 passes for 113 yards, including a 6-yard TD pass to Talique Williams for a 7-0 lead just 3:07 into the first quarter.

After LSU scored on its first two possessions on a Daniels TD pass and TD run, Georgia State running back Marcus Carroll roared for a 44-yard TD to tie the game with 12:45 left in the first half.

“LSU is a tough team,” said Grainger, who finished completing 23 of 29 passes for 179 yards though the Tigers outgained GSU 582 to 365 in total offense yardage. “Despite having only 14 points tonight, we feel like we moved the ball pretty well.”

Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliot believed his team had to score on every possession to have a chance to win.

“We knew they were going to take advantage of the secondary problems we have,” Elliot said. “That quarterback (Daniels) is a really good football player and they can catch the football over the top. We just can’t contain that.”

LSU scored 21 points in the last 10 minutes of the first half, including two TDs in the final 2½ minutes highlighted by Daniels’ 70-yard bomb to Thomas.

Nabers, who leads the nation in receiving yards, had 8 catches for 140 yards. Thomas, the national leader in TD receptions, added two more to his total as he had four catches for 101 yards. Lacy had five grabs for 101.

“We aren’t focused on who goes in and gets touchdowns every game,” Nabers said. “It might look like Brian will have a good game, then Kyren has two TDs and a 100-yard game. Week in and week out you don’t know who it might be.”

But vs. the overmatched Panthers, it seemed like every LSU receiver exploded.

Daniels referred to it as his “chasing greatness every week . . .I understand you can’t take games off.”

Kelly believes Daniels just isn’t the best player in college football, but he’s the best player Kelly has had in his 34 seasons as a college head coach.

“There’s this sense of whatever (play) you call, it’s going to be executed,” Kelly said. “It’s not like when the (play) call comes in you’re thinking `What’s the defense going to do?’

“Because they (the defense) have no chance unless they come up with something new. That’s a quarterback that has complete control over what’s going on out there. And that’s kind of fun.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Rapides felony drug charges are accusations, not convictions.

November 16

Fredrick Bush, 48, Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia, improper license plate display, $2,000 bail;

Michael Grassa, 53. Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia, no MVI, expired plate/registration, switched plate, driving under suspension:revocation 3 counts, improper turn, $52,200 bail.

November 17

Kimberly Coutee, 32, Lake Charles — possession 2 counts, trespassing, $3,000 bail;

Stacie Kerry, 54, Ball — possession, no bail set;

Alexander Smith Jr., 33, Pineville — possession, contempt, $4,500 bail.

November 18

None.

This week’s rain led the Police Jury to lift the burn ban in effect during the summer-fall dry spell.

More rain is expected soon, further lowering the risk of dangerous wildfires in Rapides Parish.

By JIM BUTLER

Its audit report, released this week, for the fiscal year that ended April 30 is a straightforward reminder of the role utility collections play in the City of Alexandria’s wellbeing.

Transfers from the Utility Fund to the General Fund historically help pay the costs of city services.

A budgeted transfer of $5.3 million didn’t happen in the most recent fiscal year, leading to a net decrease of $3.6 million in the General Fund balance.

The absence of transfer funds, the report notes, was due to lack of timely cutoffs for non-payment.

Uncollectable billings rose from $9 million to $16.2 million. The cash flow impact is labeled “devastating.”

Issues such as a cyberattack, inconsistent meter reading and billing and discretionary cutoff enforcement in the Hall administration need no rehashing.

The Roy administration, which took office in December, has taken steps to recoup some losses and plug the leak, though expecting customers to pay in full for services, as the city has to do with its obligations, is not playing well with some.

The city’s total revenue for the audit year was $205.4 million, compared to $192.3 million a year earlier.

Much of the increase over the previous year was pass-along charges for increased fuel costs.

Electricity costs rose to $79.4 million from the prior year $60.7 million; gas expense was $15.9 million, compared to $14.5 million prior year.

The city’s overall net position increased from $319.6 million to $328.9 million.

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

It’s Underdog Week in Rapides Parish.

All four of the parish teams remaining in the football playoffs will hit the road to play tonight at schools with higher seeds.

In Division I Select, No. 10 Tioga will travel to Covington to face No. 7 St. Paul’s while No. 13 Alexandria Senior High heads to Metairie to play No. 4 Brother Martin at Joe Yenni Stadium on the campus of East Jefferson High School.

No. 14 Peabody also heads south as the Warhorses will travel to play No. 3 Lafayette Christian in the second round of the Division II Select playoffs, while No. 15 Menard travels north along Interstate 49 to Shreveport to play No. 2 Calvary Baptist in Division III Select.

Tioga (9-2) is the highest-seeded parish team remaining and faces the smallest disparity in seed differential against St. Paul’s (9-1), which has won eight straight games after a Week 2 loss to Brother Martin.

St. Paul’s is led by 25th-year head coach Ken Sears. Junior quarterback Brennan Keim triggers the offense, and the Wolves use a stable of running backs, including sophomore Cody Corales.

The Wolves won an extremely competitive District 6-5A, which included four straight wins of three points or less. Junior kicker Drew Talley has been clutch for St. Paul’s in big moments.

Tioga coach Kevin Cook said he has a lot of respect for Sears and the consistent program he’s built.

“They’re gonna be very well-coached,” Cook said. “You’re not gonna trick ‘em. You’re just gonna have to play as solid of football as you’ve ever played in your life and catch some breaks along the way.”

Cook said he doesn’t expect the Indians to stray too far from what has led to their success this season, which is a strong running game and sound defense. Junior Travis Adams has rushed for 903 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing three games due to injury.

Adams is coming off a 245-yard, 5-touchdown performance against L.W. Higgins in the first round, and while Cook said he would like to throw the ball more, last week’s rainy conditions weren’t conducive to that.

“I think in the playoffs, if a team is diversified, they have an advantage,” Cook said, “but at the same time, you’ve got to do what got you there and not try to do something you’re not.”

ASH (7-4) will take its balanced offense – led by senior quarterback Ty Feaster and junior running back JT Lindsey – and try to knock off last year’s Division I Select runner-up.

Feaster, who has gotten stronger as the season has progressed, has passed for 1,925 yards and 27 touchdowns, while Lindsey has compiled 1,299 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.

Brother Martin (7-3) is the only team to defeat St. Paul’s this season and is battled-tested with a tie for second place in the Catholic League, arguably the deepest district in the state. The Crusaders’ three losses are to three of the state’s powers year after year, and this year — St. Thomas More, Edna Karr and John Curtis.

The two teams have one common opponent in STM, which defeated ASH 49-21 in Week 2 and Brother Martin 41-7 in Week 3. That Trojan team is quite different from the one that will step on the field Friday night, especially on defense as seniors Amyrion Mingo and Jaylin Johnson are now starting at cornerback.

Brother Martin is led by second-year starter Seth Dazet at quarterback, but the Crusaders did most of their damage defensively this season. Coach Mark Bonis praised his team’s defense to Crescent City Sports after the Crusaders’ Week 10 win over St. Augustine, saying that side of the ball “is why we are in this position” as the No. 4 seed in the playoffs.

Peabody (7-4) faces perhaps the toughest task of any parish team against LSU commitment Ju’Juan Johnson. Johnson, the Knights’ senior quarterback who led LCA to back-to-back state runner-up finishes the past two seasons, has compiled nearly 13,000 yards of total offense in his career.

Johnson has thrown for 2,489 yards and 32 touchdowns this season while rushing for 1,079 yards and another 18 TDs. He sits 691 yards shy of former Evangel Christian quarterback Brock Berlin’s state record of 13,659 career total yards (combined passing and rushing).

Peabody coach Harry Coleman said he knows the challenge his Warhorses face against Johnson and the Knights, but he feels like he has some weapons of his own to unleash Friday night.

“I know the cards are stacked against us, but like I said everybody puts their pants on one leg at a time,” Coleman said. “I’ve been challenging them all season. It’s just another week. The quarterback at LCA, he’s really good, but I got some real good guys here, too, so they got to deal with us, too.”

Menard, meanwhile, also squares off against an elite quarterback in Calvary junior Abram Wardell. Wardell finished second in the state in passing, completing 80 percent of his passes for 2,921 yards with 33 touchdowns and only one interception.

Senior Aubrey Hermes (49-948, 12 TDs) is Wardell’s top target, but the Cavs have plenty of offensive weapons, including Louisiana Tech commitment John Simon (37-676, 7 TDs) and junior running back James Simon (849 yards, 13 TDs), who has offers from LSU, TCU and others.

Menard’s defense, led by seniors Cooper Scott and Drake Aldredge, has been the Eagles’ bread and butter all season, but they will face their toughest task of the season this week.

Rapides OWI/DWI bookings are accusations, not convictions.

Rapides felony bookings are accusations, not convictions. 

November 15
Jameion Osteen, 29, Alexandria — firearm possession/sell with obliterated serial number, resisting, criminal trespass, contempt 2 counts, $29,500 bail;

Parnell Payne Jr., 34, Alexandria — felony flight, speeding, parole violation, $100 bail.

The Woodworth Shooting Range will be closed Thanksgiving (Nov. 23), the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. It will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 24-26) with normal hours.

The Woodworth shooting range is located at 661 Robinson Bridge Road in Woodworth.

By JIM BUTLER

Its Education Committee is recommending the School Board alter its magnet school admission criteria to allow current Bolton High students a greater opportunity to continue there when the school‘s mission changes next August.

Committee chair Linda Burgess and member Sandra Franklin expressed concerns Tuesday about current BHS underclass members who might want to stay and finish there but have to leave.

Supt. Jeff Powell told the panel he had discussed the parameters with students this week and suggested to the panel the one-time modification.

Revised minimum requirements for admission to the new Bolton Academic & Performing Arts Magnet School for current Bears would include a 2.0 Grade Point Average and a rank of “approaching basic” on annual state testing.

Parish magnet admission policy calls for a 2.5 GPA and basic mastery on testing.

Powell said about 50 percent of the affected sophomores and juniors would qualify under the revised standards, noting two quarters remain for GPA improvement.

Attendance and behavioral measures are also involved.

He had not included current freshmen in his discussions.

Moving to adopt the superintendent’s outline, the committee reiterated its grandfathering proposal is for current 9th, 10th and 11th-graders at the school only.

Next year’s students new to Bolton incoming freshmen or otherwise, will have to meet the 2.5/basic mastery standard.

Powell noted a new school administration and Central Office staff are working daily in preparation for Bolton’s conversion, emphasizing the need to minimize revisions in aspects of the change.

Powell also ran through a set of alternative high school attendance zones aimed at optimizing use of Bolton, Peabody Magnet and Alexandria Senior High facilities.

He recommended that board members not take up such changes at this point, noting uncertainties about enrollment results next Fall.

That seemed to set well with the committee.

By JIM BUTLER

Renaissance had revenues of $2.8 million in the year ending June 30 and expenses of $2.45 million, according to its audit report released this month.

A property tax accounted for $1.9 million of the revenue. That tax’s renewal is built into a millage proposal on Saturday’s general election ballot.

That proposal is for a 20-year levy that would yield about $4 million annually, based on current valuation.

The additional millage funding is sought by the nonprofit’s board to finance construction and operation of a secure holding area for juveniles accused of felonies.

Renaissance has both detention and shelter care programs.

It provides secure detention care until trial and resolution, has a girls shelter for abused, neglected, runaway or abandoned girls and a girls residential center for long-term care and rehabilitation.

Contracting agencies pay a negotiated daily fee for the services. That income totaled $334,000 in the audit year.

According to the auditors, detention costs were about $950,000 and girls residential/shelter costs near $474,000.

Management and general support costs were about $1.2 million.

Executive Director Angela Chustz was paid $86,241.

Twenty-one Rapides Parish schools were recently recognized as “Top Gains” honorees by the Louisiana Department of Education. Top Gains schools are those demonstrating exceptional student achievement, earning an “A” for student progress, and ensuring that students meet or exceed their learning goals each year. Top Gains schools must also not be persistently struggling with specific groups of students or student behavior.

The schools are: Alexandria Senior High, Ball Elementary, Buckeye Elementary, Buckeye High, Caroline Dormon Junior High, Forest Hill Junior High, Glenmora High School, Hayden R. Lawrence, J.B. Nachman Elementary, J.. Barron Elementary, Lessie Moore Elementary, Martin Park Elementary, Northwood High School, Oak Hill High School, Paradise Elementary, Phoenix Magnet Elementary, Plainview High School, Poland Junior High, Ruby-Wise Elementary, Scott M. Brame Middle School, and Tioga Junior High.

My initial close-up-and-personal encounter with a bobcat was a hair-raising experience. (If I had such an experience today, I’d have to describe it differently; I don’t have enough hair to raise.)

I was probably around the age of 12 when, one dry summer day, I tagged along with my dad as he headed out to run his trap-line; he worked in predator control for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at the time. Dad parked the Jeep on a dry hard-packed red clay road between Creston and Ashland in Natchitoches Parish to check one of his steel traps. Only a depression in the red clay remained; the trap was gone. Something had jerked it, chain and drag hook attached, out of the ground and vamoosed. 

This was by design; he never staked a trap, but allowed a critter to take off, chain and hook in tow, rather than risk the chance of finding only a foot in the trap. It was usually a simple matter of following the trail left by the drag hook until the animal was encountered, usually tangled in a thicket not far away.

It hadn’t rained in weeks and the red clay was like concrete; the trap was gone, but there was no track to indicate what had gotten in the trap. It could have been a coon, skunk, possum, fox or bobcat but without a track, it was speculation at best.  Dad suggested that we spread out; he’d go one way and I’d go another to see if we could find any sign indicating which way the animal had gone.

It was exciting for me; it was like I was on safari sneaking through the Serengeti in Tanzania after a wounded leopard. As I moved cautiously along, I noticed a log ahead that had been freshly disturbed; something had recently knocked off a chunk of bark. I approached to within six feet or so to check it further when something caught my eye. There was a brushy sapling growing next to the log and when I happened to look up, I saw something that stunted my growth for a few years; I was staring into the menacing yellow eyes of a big bobcat with lip curled to reveal fangs I could have sworn were four inches long. Two more steps and I wouldn’t be sitting here telling you this story; I’d have died of fright. Back pedaling quickly, I yelled – more likely squealed like a little girl – to my dad, he came and dispatched the cat.

Last week, I learned of another close encounter with a bobcat. Reagan Dupree, my nephew’s 16-year-old son, was walking to his deer stand along a pipeline in the dark. The stars and sky were bright enough that he didn’t need to use his flashlight to find his way to his stand.

As he walked along, he was aware of footsteps that were matching his. He’d walk; he would hear steps. He would stop and the steps would cease. Realizing that something was following him, he flipped on his light and there a few yards behind him, matching him step for step, was a big bobcat. 

It is highly unlikely that the bobcat would attack; he may have been attracted to the snacks Reagan had in his pocket or it may have just been curious. Whatever the reason, Reagan did what any teen with a gun being stalked by a bobcat would have done. Since bobcats are considered predators of game species, the state has approved the taking of one bobcat a year by Louisiana residents who are big game license holders. The big cat had stalked its last quarry.            

 I talked with a wildlife biologist for his take on the prevalence of bobcats in the area today. 

“Timber thinning and clear cutting have created prime habitat for rabbits and wood rats, primary food sources for bobcats. Bobcats can also have an impact on wild turkeys, but if you think about it, there are lots of predators, such as ‘coons, hawks and coyotes, that will prey on turkeys; their eggs, poults or sometimes mature birds. Bobcats are just one of a host of critters that will eat a turkey,” the biologist explained.  

I was on a deer stand once and I let a bobcat, which I called up, sneak away after he looked up and saw me; it was a neat experience. However, if I saw one stalking me or chowing down on one of my beloved wild turkeys, he wouldn’t be so lucky.

Pineville senior catcher Matt Warden officially signed his scholarship papers to play at LSUA on Wednesday.

During his first full season as a starter at catcher, Warden helped guide the Rebels to the Division I Select semifinals in 2023, when he batted .274 with two home runs, 13 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs. 

Defensively, Warden showcased a strong arm behind the plate by throwing out 25 percent of the runners trying to steal. 

Warden is the second straight multi-year starter at catcher to sign with a local college after Chris Kelley inked with Louisiana Christian in 2021. Warden is one of four returning starters for the Rebels in 2024 as they look for another strong season and deep run in the playoffs. 

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/YouTube TV

This is the time high school players and coaches dream about, the opportunity to still be playing football as Thanksgiving nears.

There are four (of eight) Rapides Parish teams in the LHSAA Select playoffs going into the second round – Menard, Peabody, Tioga and Alexandria Senior High. Let’s take a look at this Friday’s games and matchups in Round 2 – none are easy.

Peabody Warhorses — They are 7-4 and play Lafayette Christian (8-2) on the road. This would be an epic upset for Peabody, who has had a great season. The Warhorses’ signature wins are beating Ferriday and previously unbeaten St. Mary’s.

Lafayette Christian’s big wins are over Acadiana, Jesuit, and Westgate. It’s been a great season for Peabody coach Harry Coleman and his team, regardless of what happens Friday night.

Alexandria Senior High Trojans — The Trojans are 7-4 with a quality win over East Ascension High School. They will play New Orleans’ Brother Martin on the road. The Crusaders are 7-3, coming off a state finals appearance in 2022. Brother Martin has impressive wins over Jesuit, Holy Cross, St. Paul’s, and Archbishop Rummel — all talented Class 5A teams.

This would be the biggest win of the season for ASH. But there’s a lot of talent on Thomas Bachman’s team even though statewide they get taken for granted. I am taking the Trojans in an upset.

Menard Eagles — Menard is 8-3 as it heads up I-49 to Sheveport to meet undefeated, No. 1-ranked Calvary Baptist High School. Menard has impressive wins over Oakdale and Houma Christian HS.

Calvary Baptist has beaten a slew of top teams this year – Class A power Logansport, District 1-5A undefeated champion Captain Shreve, along with Westgate and Wossman. They gave Captain Shreve and Logansport their only losses – both are 9-1.

This would be a massive upset. I am going with Calvary Baptist, which is deep, talented and very well coached. No disgrace in losing to the Cavaliers — they will win a state title in the Superdome. I tip my cap to the Eagles’ coaches and players for a great season in 2023.

Tioga Indians — Tioga is playing St. Paul’s High School of Covington. Tioga is 9-2 and St. Paul’s is 9-1. Tioga has huge wins over Franklin Parish, Peabody, and Breaux Bridge. St. Paul’s has impressive wins over De La Salle, Mandeville, and Northshore.

I think this game is even. I will go with Tioga for the close win because I believe the Indians have more game-breaking athletes, but playing on the road will add an extra degree of difficulty. This is a club that I believe has the goods to move on.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE — The fact LSU junior wide receiver Malik Nabers needs 284 yards and 12 catches to become the Tigers’ all-time leader in receiving yards and catches speaks volumes about how you finish college careers and not how you start them.

He may become the first person to win the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver who never played a down as a high school senior because he was ruled ineligible after transferring schools.

“I was on the practice squad my entire senior year,” Nabers said.

He may be the first Biletnikoff winner to start a season (2022) fumbling two punts, as he did in a one-point loss to Florida State.

“Every time I played another game, I had flashbacks about that (the fumbles vs. FSU,” Nabers said.

And then ending that same season as the runaway Most Valuable Player winner in the Citrus Bowl.

“It (the FSU fumbles) drove me to change the narrative about me,” Nabers said.

As the No. 15 Tigers (7-3 overall) prepare to play their final two regular season games – both in Tiger Stadium vs. Georgia State on Saturday at 7 p.m. and vs. Texas A&M on Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. — Nabers has developed into a 2024 NFL first-round draft choice projected as the second or third receiver chosen.

It’s still heady stuff for someone who didn’t even think about playing college football until he finally put aside baseball and was placed on the Lafayette Comeaux High varsity football team as a sophomore, where he caught a TD pass in his first game.

“I think he’s the best wide receiver in the country,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said of Nabers. “I’m sure that (Ohio State) coach (Ryan) Day is going to say that his guy (Marvin Harrison Jr.) is the best, and I totally understand that.

“I think he (Malik) is multi-dimensional, leading the country in receiving yards. I think he’s the best receiver in the country and deserving of being a Biletnikoff Award winner.”

In what is likely his final season, Nabers already has 72 catches (equaling his 14-game total from last season) for a nation-leading 1,284 yards and 10 TDs, which is more than his two previous LSU seasons combined.

What has separated him this year is he has 469 yards after the catch or 36.5 percent of his yardage. His knack for lining up in the slot and turning a short slant route into a gain of 20 or more yards — which he has done 30 times — is a result of his off-season work on quickness and acceleration.

“I wanted to be more explosive and improve my running after my catches,” Nabers said. “Every year, I’ve tried to up my game level. I got faster my sophomore season and this year I got way faster.”

Kelly said Nabers’ improvement isn’t by accident.

“His skill level has always been there,” Kelly said. “At times last season, he got distracted. He had some ups and downs during his practice.

“This year, very little to no distractions have put him in a position where his practicing has consistently put him at a high, high level. His ability to come out every single day, maintain his emotion, and focus on what’s important – being at his best during practice and not being distracted by anything.”

Nabers also has taken a jump because he developed a close-knit relationship with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“It’s a great relationship that we have outside of football and it makes our football relationship a lot stronger,” Nabers said. “We’ll go shopping, things like that. I joke with Jayden that he spends too much money on clothes and jewelry. Getting to know the person behind the helmet increases our trust when we’re out there on the field making plays.

“We’re on the same page a lot, especially on different reads. He can still get me the ball when I’m facing bracket coverage. It’s me and him being on point.”

And for those rare times opponents repeatedly try to cover Nabers 1-on-1 – as Mississippi State did when Nabers had 13 catches for 239 yards and two TDs in a 41-14 win on Sept. 16 – Daniels will throw the ball in Nabers’ direction all game long and trust he’ll come down with it.

“I have a mindset that when the ball is in the air, I just feel like it’s always mine,” Nabers said, “because the quarterback trusts me enough to make that play.”

In 35 games during his LSU career, Nabers has 172 catches for 2,718 yards and 17 TDs. Wendell Davis holds the school record for career catches with 183 (set from 1984 to 1987) while Josh Reed has the career yardage record of 3,001 (set from 1999-2001).

Nabers has already joined Reed as only the second player in LSU history with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Becoming LSU’s all-time receiving leader was never Nabers’ objective when he signed with the Tigers in 2021. But winning the Biletnikoff has been his ultimate individual goal.

“After seeing (former LSU wide receiver) Ja’Marr (Chase) win it (the Biletnikoff) in his last season (2019),” Nabers said, “it was also a receiver goal, when I came to LSU, to win it.” 

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

The boil advisory issued on Nov. 13 for Hwy. 28 West is now lifted. Repairs to a 16 inch water main made by COA personnel resulted in the need for a boil water advisory. The State of Louisiana has tested the water, and the results of the tests are clear, according to Assistant Water Superintendent Luis Saucier.