The Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed until Thursday following the deadly truck attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday morning, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley announced Wednesday afternoon.
“We have been in consultation with ESPN, with the College Football Playoff, with the Southeastern Conference, with the University of Georgia, with Notre Dame, all parties,” Hundley said at a press conference. “And all agree that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours.”
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. The postponement comes as law enforcement continues to comb the crime scene and secure the French Quarter.
A shelter in place was in effect for the Bulldogs at their team hotel, ESPN reported. At least one Georgia student suffered critical injuries in the attack and was receiving medical treatment, the school said.
Early Wednesday morning, a driver “hell-bent on creating the carnage and damage that he did” drove his pickup at high speeds through the crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 15 people and injuring at least 35, police said. Law enforcement identified the suspect as Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas. A flag of the terrorist group known as ISIS was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, police said.
“It was very intentional behavior,” Anne Kirkpatrick, the New Orleans Police superintendent, said. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”
Explosive devices were found on the scene, according to multiple reports, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
Authorities said the male suspect exited his truck with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers before he was killed by return fire. At least two officers were shot and wounded, officials said.
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available,” Hundley said in a statement earlier in the day.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said on ESPN, “When we learned of the severity of the tragedy and what happened, we had to get back together as a team and we had to discuss what happened.
“What I told the team, in the toughest moments the culture of any program or nation is revealed. I have a lot of faith this nation will rally around New Orleans and will support all the victims and the families who are affected today.”
Barring further delays, the CFP quarterfinal between the No. 2 seed Bulldogs (11-2) and No. 7 Fighting Irish (12-1) is now scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Freeman said Wednesday of the delay, “We had to redirect our focus for preparing for this game. We have to utilize this time we had today and tomorrow morning to continue to prepare for this opportunity. …
“That’s where our focus has to be. We will mourn and pray for our country. We have support systems around for anyone who needs someone to talk to but we also have to be prepared for this great opportunity we have in the Sugar Bowl.”
