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  • LSU’s Sa’Myah Smith to be suspended after fight vs. Oklahoma


    In the first quarter of LSU women’s basketball’s top-15 matchup with Oklahoma, the high-stakes, contentious gameplay turned into a fight.

    After the whistle was blown, redshirt sophomore forward Sa’Myah Smith got tied up with an Oklahoma player under the hoop and shoved her forcefully.

    Another Oklahoma player, Liz Scott, retaliated with a shove of her own. Both were ejected and will be suspended for the next game, per the SEC’s rules.

    Smith will now miss LSU’s matchup with Mississippi State on Sunday.

    In a still contentious second quarter, Oklahoma head coach Jennie Baranczyk was assessed a technical for her interaction with a referee. 

    In addition, LSU center Aalyah Del Rosario was assessed a flagrant foul for another scrum under the basket.

    At halftime, LSU led the physical matchup 52-42.



    LSU’s Sa’Myah Smith to be suspended after fight vs. Oklahoma

    LSU’s star player Sa’Myah Smith is set to face suspension after a heated altercation with an Oklahoma player during their recent game. The incident occurred in the second quarter of the game, with tensions running high between the two teams.

    Smith was seen throwing punches and engaging in a physical altercation with the opposing player, resulting in both players being ejected from the game. The incident has sparked outrage among fans and officials, with many calling for swift action to be taken against Smith.

    LSU has announced that they will be suspending Smith for their next game as a result of his actions. The team has also issued a statement condemning the behavior displayed by Smith and emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect on and off the field.

    It remains to be seen how long Smith’s suspension will last, but it is clear that his actions have consequences. Fans and teammates alike are disappointed in Smith’s behavior, and are hopeful that he will learn from this experience and come back stronger and more disciplined in the future.

    Tags:

    LSU, Sa’Myah Smith, suspension, fight, Oklahoma, college basketball, disciplinary action, player behavior, NCAA, sports news

    #LSUs #SaMyah #Smith #suspended #fight #Oklahoma

  • South Carolina apologizes to LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson after arena DJ played song from her late father


    gettyimages-2195900708-1-1.jpg
    Getty Images

    South Carolina’s athletic department apologizes to LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson and her family after the Gamecocks’ arena DJ played a song by her late father during South Carolina’s win against LSU on Friday.

    In a statement, South Carolina described the song choice as “inappropriate” and revealed the DJ, who is known as DJ T.O., has been suspended for the Gamecocks’ next home game. 

    “Her actions were understandably upsetting to Flau’Jae Johnson and her family and disrespectful to the LSU program and fans,” South Carolina said in a statement. “Conference rivalries and passionate fan bases should only serve to enhance sports, not be used to target individual players personally. We regret that it came to that in our venue after a game that saw both teams capture the level of national attention that women’s basketball has earned.”

    No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 5 LSU in one of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season. After the game went final, DJ T.O. played an instrumental version of “Cut Friends,” which was a song by Johnson’s father, Jason, who was a rapper known by the name “Camoflauge” in the early 2000s.

    South Carolina hands LSU first loss: Gamecocks’ defense stifles Tigers in 2024 SEC championship game rematch

    Isabel Gonzalez

    South Carolina hands LSU first loss: Gamecocks' defense stifles Tigers in 2024 SEC championship game rematch

    Jason Johnson was shot and killed back in May 2003, which was six months before Flau’Jae Johnson was born.

    Flau’Jae Johnson took to social media to weigh in on the situation, and her post included a screenshot of an Instagram story from DJ T.O. where she posted a caption “my bad” regarding the song choice.

    “I’ll take my L on the chin, but this just nasty behavior,” Johnson wrote. “Nun funny bout that.”

    After Johnson called out DJ T.O., she did apologize for playing the song and stated it was “never my intent to disrespect anyone or offend anyone.”

    Johnson finished Friday’s game with 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting, while also tallying four rebounds and a pair of assists. LSU ended up shooting just 29.9% as a team in the loss.

    Johnson was an All-SEC Second Team selection for her performance during the 2023-24 season.





    South Carolina Apologizes to LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson for Insensitive Song Choice

    In a heartfelt gesture of apology, the University of South Carolina has issued an official apology to LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson after a song by her late father was played during a recent basketball game at the Colonial Life Arena.

    Flau’Jae Johnson, a talented rapper and daughter of the late rapper Camoflauge, was understandably upset when she heard her father’s song being played in the arena. The song, which featured lyrics that brought up painful memories of her father’s tragic passing, was a clear oversight on the part of the arena’s DJ.

    In a statement released by the University of South Carolina, they expressed their sincerest apologies to Flau’Jae Johnson and acknowledged the insensitivity of playing the song. They have also promised to take steps to ensure that such a mistake does not happen again in the future.

    Flau’Jae Johnson has graciously accepted the apology and hopes that this incident can serve as a learning opportunity for everyone involved. She continues to honor her father’s legacy through her music and hopes to inspire others with her talent and resilience.

    Let us all learn from this mistake and strive to be more mindful and respectful of others’ feelings in the future. Our thoughts are with Flau’Jae Johnson as she continues to navigate the ups and downs of her musical journey.

    Tags:

    South Carolina, LSU, Flau’Jae Johnson, apology, arena DJ, song, late father, music, tribute, heartfelt gesture

    #South #Carolina #apologizes #LSUs #FlauJae #Johnson #arena #played #song #late #father

  • Notre Dame in championship special for LSU’s Verge Ausberry | LSU


    ATLANTA — Five years ago, Jaiden Ausberry stood on the field as LSU won the national championship. Confetti fell around him, the culmination of an undefeated season.

    Ausberry still thinks about that night. Now a Notre Dame linebacker, he hopes to feel that way again Monday night when the Fighting Irish plays Ohio State in the national championship game.

    “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Ausberry said, “and hopefully I can experience that again Monday with my teammates as a player.”

    Ausberry, the son of longtime LSU athletics official and former linebacker Verge Ausberry, has played in every game while making two starts this season. He ranks fourth on the team with 56 tackles. He has also recorded 6½ tackles for loss, one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries after taking on a larger role as a redshirt freshman.

    “He has done a better job of being confident in his play,” Notre Dame senior safety Xavier Watts said. “He’s a talented player. Continuing to grow and trust in the coaches and the plan they have for him has allowed him to grow and get better.”

    Ausberry is one of three Louisiana natives in the national championship game, all of them at Notre Dame. Senior safety Jordan Clark, the son of former LSU and NFL safety Ryan Clark, and junior backup running back Dylan Devezin also play for the Fighting Irish.

    After transferring from Arizona State, Clark has made 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and five pass breakups.

    For Verge Ausberry, having a son playing in the national championship game makes this one different than anything he has been through before. He won two SEC championships as a player in the late 1980s. While working in LSU’s athletic department for the past 23 years, the Tigers have won five conference titles and three national championships.

    Nothing compares to this, he said.

    “This one here is more special when it’s your child playing in the game,” Verge Ausberry said. “It’s a different feeling in your gut. The butterflies, getting nervous — almost like you’re playing the game yourself. Because that’s your heart out there.”

    Jaiden Ausberry grew up around LSU because of his dad. Verge Ausberry described running backs coach Frank Wilson and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond as uncles to his son. He got a firsthand look at top players, and then he became a four-star recruit in the 2023 class out of University High himself.

    As his sons went through the recruiting process — his oldest, safety Austin Ausberry, transferred to LSU last year after signing with Auburn — Verge Ausberry said he didn’t want to tell them what to do. Jaiden chose Notre Dame, they said, because of his relationship with the coaching staff, the academics and the feeling he got on campus. There was also an element of moving away from home.

    “That was something I really thought about as I got older, really just experiencing something new so I could grow as a person and as a football player,” Jaiden Ausberry said. “Just being around new people and making new connections and relationships.”

    Verge Ausberry told his son he would never go to a Notre Dame home game in November because of the weather, but then Notre Dame reached the playoff this season. It hosted the first on-campus playoff game Dec. 20 against Indiana.

    “Well, it’s December,” Verge recalled his son saying when the game was announced.

    “You got me on that one,” he replied.

    As Notre Dame continued to win, the Ausberry family went to every game. And when Notre Dame kicked a go-ahead field goal in the Orange Bowl semifinal to reach the national championship, Verge Ausberry threw his hands in the air and thanked God.

    “It was almost like I forgot where I was,” he said. “This is my son. Then this feeling comes over you like, ‘Is this real? Am I dreaming? Let me wake up.’ ”

    The dream isn’t over yet.



    LSU fans, get ready to witness history as the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame gear up to face off against your beloved Tigers in the championship game! We caught up with LSU’s own Verge Ausberry to get his thoughts on this monumental matchup.

    Ausberry, LSU’s Deputy Director of Athletics, shared his excitement for the game, stating, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both teams to showcase their talent on the national stage. Notre Dame’s tradition and legacy in college football is unmatched, and facing them in the championship is a true test of our team’s abilities.”

    As the excitement builds for the championship game, Ausberry encouraged fans to come out and support the Tigers as they aim to bring home another title to Baton Rouge. “We have a dedicated fan base that has been with us every step of the way, and we need their energy and passion to propel us to victory,” he said.

    So mark your calendars and get ready to witness a clash of titans as LSU takes on Notre Dame in the championship game. Let’s show the world what the Tigers are made of and bring home that championship trophy! Geaux Tigers! #LSU #NotreDame #ChampionshipBound

    Tags:

    1. Notre Dame
    2. Championship
    3. Verge Ausberry
    4. LSU
    5. College Football
    6. National Title
    7. Playoff
    8. LSU Football
    9. Championship Game
    10. Verge Ausberry Interview

    #Notre #Dame #championship #special #LSUs #Verge #Ausberry #LSU

  • Livvy Dunne impresses in LSU’s season opener with boyfriend Paul Skenes in attendance

    Livvy Dunne impresses in LSU’s season opener with boyfriend Paul Skenes in attendance


    A star couple was back in Baton Rouge Friday night, and one half of that couple began a quest to become a back-to-back national champion.

    Livvy Dunne and the defending national champion LSU gymnastics squad opened their season Friday against Iowa State.

    Dunne, back for her fifth year of eligibility, helped the second-ranked team in the nation to a 197.300-194.100 victory over Iowa State.

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    Olivia Dunne of the LSU Tigers before a meet against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Feb. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla.  (James Gilbert/Getty Images)

    Dunne placed third in the floor and fourth on the beam with scores of 9.875 and 9.825, respectively.

    Dunne’s boyfriend, LSU alum and National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes, was also in attendance.

    Before becoming the No. 1 pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes was the ace of an LSU squad that won the College World Series. Skenes was called up to the big leagues early in the season, started the All-Star Game and finished third in the NL Cy Young Award vote with his 1.96 ERA and 11.5 K/9.

    Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” at the LSU Quad Nov. 9, 2024, in Baton Rouge.  (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

    LSU’s Aleah Finnegan, an Olympic gymnast from the Philippines, led the all-around with a score of 39.725.

    The meet came just days after Dunne and Skenes were out on Bourbon Street, hours before a terror attack killed 14 people in the French Quarter.

    LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne and her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, celebrated New Year’s in New Orleans. (livvydunne via Instagram)

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    Bourbon Street is roughly an hour and a half from Baton Rogue.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





    Livvy Dunne, a standout player for LSU’s women’s basketball team, put on a stellar performance in the team’s season opener, leaving fans and spectators in awe. But what made her performance even more special was the fact that her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, was in attendance to cheer her on.

    Dunne, a dynamic guard known for her speed and scoring ability, showcased her skills on the court, leading her team to a decisive victory. She was a force to be reckoned with, driving to the basket, sinking three-pointers, and playing lockdown defense.

    Skenes, who was seen cheering enthusiastically from the stands, couldn’t hide his pride and admiration for his girlfriend’s performance. The support and love he showed for Dunne was evident, and it was clear that he was her biggest fan.

    As Dunne and her teammates celebrated their victory on the court, Skenes joined them in the post-game festivities, sharing in the joy and excitement of the win. The couple’s bond and support for each other were truly heartwarming to witness.

    With Dunne’s impressive performance and Skenes’ unwavering support, it’s clear that this dynamic duo is a force to be reckoned with both on and off the court. LSU fans can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for this talented couple.

    Tags:

    1. Livvy Dunne LSU season opener
    2. Livvy Dunne boyfriend Paul Skenes
    3. LSU football game
    4. Livvy Dunne performance
    5. LSU season opener highlights
    6. Livvy Dunne game day
    7. Livvy Dunne Paul Skenes relationship
    8. LSU football season kickoff
    9. Livvy Dunne player spotlight
    10. LSU game day atmosphere

    #Livvy #Dunne #impresses #LSUs #season #opener #boyfriend #Paul #Skenes #attendance

  • “Way-too-early” projection of LSU’s 2025 depth chart

    “Way-too-early” projection of LSU’s 2025 depth chart


    The calendar year has flipped to 2025 and now LSU can begin its quest to working its way into the college football playoff picture in year four under Brian Kelly.  

    Much of the offseason work has been completed with 12 transfer additions and 23 true freshmen signed with the program and many of which whom will be enrolling in the month of January. Offensive line commit Josh Thompson is the lone transfer who hasn’t been officially announced by the Tigers at this time. 

    But with the roster numbers gaining great clarity over the last several weeks, the work is still not done. Kelly told reporters before the Texas Bowl matchup with Baylor that the program is continuing to look at options on the offensive line and the back end of their secondary. Safety is the one position on the roster that has yet to be addressed in the portal and it very well could be that LSU is waiting for a new batch of players to start entering the transfer portal. 

    Bowl team players have an additional five day window after their game to enter the transfer portal, so for LSU we could hear news about any last minute departures over the next three or four days. The wide ranging evaluation will continue for not just adding new players but what changes, if any, that could be coming from a staff perspective. That was something Kelly was asked about directly following the end of the bowl game. 

    “At the end of the season, we’re doing what did we do well as a staff? What do we need to do better? And certainly what did we learn? We have to do some things better, there’s no question. That’s part of this process every year. Whether you’re a football program or whether you’re a Fortune 500 company, you’re going to evaluate everything within your program: How we travel, how we recruit, how we coach, how we develop our players,” Kelly said. 

    “All of those things over the next four to six weeks will be evaluated. Look, this is a championship program. This is about winning championships, and we fell short of that. So we have to evaluate all of those things. It starts with me and how I led, and it goes through and permeates the entire program.”

    What’s clear is that more moves are on the way. LSU needs to hire a tight ends coach to replace Slade Nagle and there are still a few positions that need to be addressed in the portal. From that point on, it’ll be workouts before spring ball where this new look roster will really come into form. 

    Today we’ll run through some of our way too early projections of what this 2025 depth chart looks like. There will be plenty of change in the months to come but there will be a vision going into spring ball of what that could look like.



    As a college football fan, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the future, especially when it comes to projecting a team’s depth chart. With that in mind, let’s take a “way-too-early” look at what LSU’s depth chart could potentially look like in the year 2025.

    Quarterback:
    1. Top Recruit (Class of 2025)
    2. Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    3. Top Recruit (Class of 2023)

    Running Back:
    1. Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    2. Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    3. Top Recruit (Class of 2025)

    Wide Receiver:
    1. Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    2. Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    3. Top Recruit (Class of 2025)

    Tight End:
    1. Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    2. Top Recruit (Class of 2025)
    3. Top Recruit (Class of 2024)

    Offensive Line:
    LT: Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    LG: Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    C: Top Recruit (Class of 2025)
    RG: Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    RT: Top Recruit (Class of 2023)

    Defensive Line:
    DE: Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    DT: Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    DT: Top Recruit (Class of 2025)
    DE: Top Recruit (Class of 2024)

    Linebacker:
    OLB: Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    MLB: Top Recruit (Class of 2025)
    OLB: Top Recruit (Class of 2024)

    Cornerback:
    1. Top Recruit (Class of 2024)
    2. Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    3. Top Recruit (Class of 2025)

    Safety:
    1. Top Recruit (Class of 2023)
    2. Top Recruit (Class of 2025)
    3. Top Recruit (Class of 2024)

    Of course, this is all purely speculative and based on recruiting rankings and potential development over the next few years. But one thing is for sure, LSU’s depth chart in 2025 could be filled with top talent and potential stars of the future. Geaux Tigers!

    Tags:

    LSU football, 2025 depth chart, LSU Tigers, college football, SEC football, projected depth chart, LSU football roster, LSU recruiting, future of LSU football

    #Waytooearly #projection #LSUs #depth #chart