The College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was postponed by a day following a tragic incident in New Orleans. A truck driver deliberately drove into a crowd near the Superdome early Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 15 people. Authorities reported the attack occurred about a mile from the stadium.
Originally set for 7:45 p.m. CST at the 70,000-seat Superdome on Wednesday, the game was moved to 3 p.m. Thursday. The winning team will move on to the January 9 Orange Bowl to face Penn State.
"Public safety is paramount," said Jeff Hundley, CEO of the Sugar Bowl, during a press conference with local, state, and federal officials, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "All parties agree that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game."
Fatal Incident in the French Quarter
The deadly attack occurred early on New Year's Day when a pickup truck was driven into a crowd of revelers in the French Quarter, close to the iconic Bourbon Street and Canal Street intersection. In addition to the fatalities, more than 30 individuals were injured. The driver was killed in a confrontation with police after the attack, which took place around 3:15 a.m., according to the FBI.
Impact on Traveling Fans
The postponement disrupted many fans’ travel plans. Fans who had purchased tickets for Wednesday’s game found prices for resold tickets dropping significantly, with some falling below $25 as others scrambled to change their plans.
Lisa Borrelli, a 34-year-old Philadelphia resident, shared her thoughts: "We can’t get new flights. It was absolutely the right call. I completely understand." She expressed disappointment but acknowledged the importance of safety.
U.S. Representative Troy Carter from Louisiana echoed this sentiment, stating the decision was "not done lightly." He emphasized, “It was done with one single thing in mind: public safety — making sure that the citizens and visitors of this great city...will be safe."
Community Reactions and Responses
The attack left many shaken, including Darrell Huckaby, 72, from Athens, Georgia, who witnessed the aftermath. He was staying in a hotel near the scene and woke up to find the bodies of the victims covered in pink blankets. “It was heartbreaking,” Huckaby said. “As important as football is to our Georgia culture, for a little while, the game just didn’t really seem to matter.”
Despite the cancellation of their plans, both teams remained in their respective hotels on Wednesday, with Georgia’s players briefly traveling to the Superdome for a walk-through. Meanwhile, Notre Dame players gathered in a ballroom to watch the Rose Bowl quarterfinal between Ohio State and Oregon.
Safety Measures and Enhanced Security
As the situation unfolded, the Superdome underwent lockdown security sweeps, and more officers were brought in to secure the area. The security perimeter around the stadium was expanded, and extra police presence was ensured, according to New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno.
Georgia’s Student Among the Injured
University of Georgia President Jere Morehead confirmed that a student from the university was among those critically injured in the attack. The school was in touch with the student's family, ensuring that all team personnel and members of the official travel parties were accounted for.
Super Bowl Security Measures and Future Events
The Superdome, which will also host the Super Bowl on February 9, is already coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to maintain a high level of security for upcoming events. The NFL expressed its sympathy for the tragedy, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the news of the devastating incident in New Orleans.” They also reassured the public, noting that security plans for the Super Bowl are comprehensive and robust.
Looking Ahead: Sugar Bowl 2025
The Sugar Bowl 2025 is set for Thursday, January 2, at 4 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Fans can tune in to ESPN to watch the highly anticipated matchup between No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Sugar Bowl is a prestigious event that traditionally takes place at the Superdome.