The Daily Advertiser from Lafayette, Louisiana • 25

Classified Sports LEI UJ NOW you have any questions about today sports stories or a sto idea please cal Sports Edrrx KevfiFoo at 289-6317 or e-marf ktooteOtneadvertiser com. Wiiiiihy, Dittaber 21, SEE PAGE 5C fww.tliidnrtinr.cn Page 1C Benson meets with Tagliabue, owners 4 I ing its "home" opener against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in New Jersey New Orleans has played the rest of its home games either in San Antonio or Baton Rouge The moves have been one reason for the team's 3-1 1 record, the worst by far in coach Jim Haslett's six-year tenure NEW YORK (APi The NFL remains focused on returning the New Orleans Saints to Louisiana next season, the league said after a Tuesday meeting between team owner Tom Reason and commissioner Paul Tagliabue A committee of eight OW ners also met for about an hour to discuss the future of the team, div Haslett, who has one year left on his contract, said Monday he has no plans to resign. He added that he believes Benson is "stressed out" with other issues facing the team. "It's been a hard couple of months for him." Haslett said. "He's got tough decisions ahead of him He's got other things on his mind." Tagliabue has repeated ly said he would like the Saints to play as many games as possible in Louisiana in 2006 and officials in New Orleans say they believe the Super dome, badly damaged by the hurricane, could be ready by next Nov 1.

The team has been home at three different venues this season, play placed by Hurricane Katn na Hist before the season began The Saints have been based in San Antonio since leaving New Orleans "Both meetings were positive and continued to focus on the Saints' opera Hons in Iwisiana." league spokesman Greg Aiello said ii statement New Orleans Bowl Southern Miss repeats Shane BeveHoutsiana Gannett News Service LSU running back Alley Broussard heads downfield last season after beating Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway to score a touchdown on a 74-yard run in the second quarter of the Capital One Bowl in Orlando. Fla. Alley Broussard begins running on injured knee INSIDE Arkansas state not enough to stifle Golden Haglcs. Mi Donald Southern Mismsip pi Golden Eagles came in with a reputation for defense, but it was a pair of offensive performers that provided a teennd straight New Orleans Bowl trophv Tuesday night Tailback Cody Hull rushed for a bowl record 162 yards and wide receiver Shawn Nelson had a pair of touchdown catches in another bowl record effort, and the Eagles prevailed in a 31 19 victory over gutty underdog Arkansas State before 18.338 fans at the University of Ixhj it una Cajun Field The Indians, repre sent ing the Sun Belt See RPTS i ftp JC hm 'm mmu aaaS IB rte Jw Bbl jajBi Br Ih bbs'bh MM BBBlBBBBB BaVBm. BH PHgB mw Hp -Mk 1 km mm Am WB mm mmk.

Hto mm mtrnt 1 Arm fmmkn 1 Glenn Guilbeau La Gannett News Service BATON ROUGE Alley Broussard sightings are becoming more and more common around the LSU football complex. "Man, you missed it." Broussard said Monday from his car while parking to work out in the weight room. "'I ran today for the first time. It felt all right. There is still a lot of scar tissue." Broussard, who led LSU in rushing last season with 867 yards on 142 carries, was lost for the season when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a scrimmage before the season.

He had surgery shortly after the injury and is on schedule to return to practice for spring drills. "I'll be back," said Broussard. a product of Acadiana High in Lafayette who will be a junior next season. In the meantime, tailbacks Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent appear to be back at 100 percent for the Dec. 30 Peach Bowl against Miami after nursing ankle and leg injuries before the Southeastern Conference championship game.

"We hope to have all our tailbacks at 100 percent," LSU coach Les Miles said. Shifting positions Find out who may become LSU's new backup quarterback for the Peach Bowl. Page12C THE STREAK IS BROKEN: Senior offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth of West Monroe missed the first practice of his career on Monday afternoon, but he had a good excuse. He graduated from LSU in general studies. Whitworth has never TrmsedanTSSU game either luHWjaw'the school r-for games played and games started with 51.

He has started every game in his career Other players who missed practice to graduate were Addai and outside linebacker Kenneth Hollis. Offensive tackle Peter Dyakowski has also graduated, but he chose not to take part in the ceremony because his parents were unable to attend. Dyakowski is from Vancouver. British Columbia, in Canada. wanted to practice," Miles said.

"And yes, he will get points for practicing." INSIDE Full history Atarsus St nada Omon t-A borfappaaranc and fsiw Oneans Bcw igOMOtgre? Page 3C ONLINE Full coverage Lac tor gara aogs pftc gatones and am of 9 ew Orleans Bo at nw ttvtacVfrtiser com Southern Mississippi Cole Mason (40) is brought down by an Arkansas State defender Tuesday at the New Orleans Bowl in Cajun Field in Lafayette. USM won the game 31-19. Cajuns wary of road game against Nicholls Southall may not play big both down go to injuries i i Nicholls a 59-57 victo-rv in J. Kel-ley Hall's first game as the Cajuns' coach in 2002. UL won handi-lv the next Sat at order urdav LSU.

he more Tonight: Cajurs at Nicholls, 6:30 p.m. and was Thursday: Cajuns vs McNeese. 7 06 p.m Biackham about the Bruce Brown bbrnwn a theadvertiser com THIBODAUX Logic says that any team that can invade SEC member Auburn, stay within five points with 3 1 2 minutes remaining and eventually fall 65-55 should be able to dust off a 1-7 Nicholls State squad. That's what the Louisiana Ragin' Cajun women did last Saturday so they should approach today's 6:30 p.m. contest at Stopher Gym against the Lady Colonels with confidence.

However, nothing is guaranteed against an opponent that often seems to give the Cajuns more than they bargained for despite UL's 29-18 overall series lead. A last-second shot gave the next three games. He had a doctor's examination on his dislocated shoulder Monday, and Lee said he's likely out for as many as three weeks "That's a major blow to our team," Lee said. "Losing a guy like Chris, one who was really starting to come into his own, it's going to be very difficult." Southall had a knee problem early in Satur day's game, and a Tuesday examination revealed more damage than ongi nally expected. "He had a lot of swelling in his knee," Lee said.

"Sunday, it was worse than we thought it was Saturday night. I'm not sure if he'll be available Thursday" That leaves squadman See SOUTHALL on Page 12C Knee injurs COUld keep center out of Thursda game. Dan McDonald dracdonaid thMxhertiaer.com Robert Iee must feel snake-bit "1 must have made somebody really mad." Lee said, "because the baaM ball gods are not smiling down on us right now." The coach of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajun basketball team had seen his team show signs of recovering from early season doldrums, with wins in two of three games Then, in rapid succession, he watched his two year(57-3b). but NSU was causing headaches again last year at Earl K. Long Gym.

The Colonels were in position for the winning shot until Alicia McDaniel stole the ball on the baseline to save the day and preserve a 57-56 UL victory "I know they stayed close the whole game," McDaniel said before Tuesday's practice. "They were able to stick with us. Coach See CAJUNS on Page 12C status' of Chris Cameron and Michael Southall than the 81-62 loss to the Tigers "If we'd had those two in there. 1 think it was obvious we were going to hav a great chance," Lee said "Now, every game is going to be even more of a chal lenge." Cameron's status for Thursday's home contest against McNeese State is certain, as it is for at least John Rowtend'irowlandetheadvertisercom Michael Southall shoots over Glen Davis (0) and Tasmin Mitchell at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Saturday..