The Sugar Bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs will be postponed until Thursday at 4 p.m. ET after an overnight attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter that killed 15 people and injured about 30.
The two teams were scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. ET Wednesday in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Superdome – less than a mile from the site where a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers along Bourbon Street.
Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said that after consulting with representatives from the two schools, the conferences and ESPN, ‘all parties agreed that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game for 24 hours.’
The FBI identified the suspected driver of the truck as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Bahar Jabbar, and is investigating the attack the agency called ‘an act of terrorism.’
“There’s just too much stuff we don’t know. It’s just not worth it,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said during a news conference with state, city and law enforcement officials addressing the decision to postpone the game.
Louisiana AG supports delaying Sugar Bowl game further
‘Not my decision, but I would like to see it delayed at least another day,’ Murrill told NBC. ‘If they asked my opinion, I would tell them that.’
NBC reported that Murrill does believe ‘the community is safe.’
Superdome goes silent on day it should have hosted Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS — Silence.
That’s what strikes you while standing next to Caesars Superdome on a glorious Wednesday afternoon. Silence reaches up and shakes you, suffocates you, reminds you not so subtly that sometimes there are more important matters in this world than four quarters and 60 minutes and a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game.
They were supposed to play one, a big one, New Year’s Day night at the Superdome between Notre Dame and Georgia.
Counterterrorism expert on New Orleans attack, Sugar Bowl
Former senior U.S. counterterrorism official Javed Ali said things can evolve as the FBI investigation unfolds, including scenarios that could potentially impact the Sugar Bowl.
Based on what the FBI and other authorities have made public to date, “This wasn’t just one person acting on their own, and however many other people are involved in this conspiracy, they’re on the loose right now,” said Ali, who is not involved in the investigation but has held senior U.S. intelligence positions across multiple agencies.
Many factors would have to go into whether the game should be held as scheduled, further postponed or even canceled, Ali said. “That’s going to have to be something to figure out from a risk management perspective,” he said.
– Josh Meyer, USA TODAY
What time is the Sugar Bowl?
The rescheduled Sugar Bowl will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday in New Orleans, officials announced.
Former Princeton WR Tiger Bech killed in New Orleans attack
Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was killed in the New Orleans truck attack early Wednesday morning, his brother, TCU standout Jack Bech, confirmed on social media.
Jack Bech led the Horned Frogs with 1,039 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season, emerging as one of the best receivers in the country in 2024. Tiger Bech, 28, was an All-Ivy League performer, spending three seasons at Princeton from 2016-18.
‘Love you always brother,’ Bech wrote on X. ‘You inspired me (every day) now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.’
– Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Network
Saints coach Darren Rizzi discusses New Orleans attack
During a news conference Wednesday, Saints coach Darren Rizzi discussed the attack, saying the team prayed together and had a moment of silence for victims during a morning meeting. Rizzi added that it ‘hits home with me personally.
‘I have five children between the ages of 17 and 26. And I can tell you early this morning, the first thing I thought of was my own son was out last night for New Year’s Eve in this community. My daughter was home just last week and was down in the French Quarter … I know there’s a lot of information still coming out, but I want to reiterate how much support and how much thought is coming from the New Orleans Saints.’
The Saints will be on the road this weekend, playing the Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa.
Georgia’s official traveling party all safe, one student among victims
The University of Georgia athletic department has confirmed that in the wake of Wednesday’s early-morning attack, ‘All team personnel and members of the official team travel party have been accounted for.’
Notre Dame also said that all team personnel had been accounted for.
Georgia’s Redcoat Band also said all its students and staff are safe.
Georgia president Jere W. Morehead did say that one student was critically injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Security sweep of Superdome underway
The site of tonight’s Sugar Bowl game is undergoing a full security review following the fatal overnight attack on Bourbon Street.
Officials are conducting a full sweep of the Superdome to make sure there are no security breaches before, during or after the game.
Rose Bowl stands ‘in solidarity’ following Sugar Bowl tragedy
Tournament of Roses and Pasadena city officials have offered their condolences to the people of New Orleans as they look to reassure the public today’s Rose Bowl events will be safe.
“The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” the officials said in a statement.
“We stand in solidarity with the entire state during this difficult time.
‘The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners. We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.”
Georgia, Notre Dame release statements in wake of attack
Both schools participating in the Sugar Bowl issued statements on social media Wednesday morning.
‘We are horrified and saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans,’ said a statement from the University of Georgia. ‘University personnel are working to determine if any UGA students, faculty, staff, alumni or fans were among the victims.’
Meanwhile, Notre Dame said it was ‘working with law enforcement and others to determine the full scope and impact of the tragedy.’
The school also announced that a previously scheduled Mass at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel will be held at 11 a.m. and asked those fans not in the area to ‘join us in prayer from wherever you are.’
Georgia fans praying after tragedy
Yellow police tape was hanging and police cars were parked inside and outside that area, some with lights flashing and with officers standing nearby. An Orleans Parrish coroner van was also parked.
“Crazy,” said Iacovazzi, wearing a Georgia cap and hoodie.
Iacovazzi’s hotel was not evacuated, but others in the area were. Iacovazzi’s daughter, a University of Georgia senior, is with him on the trip. She woke him up to tell him about what happened.
“She woke up and heard all that noise, but she didn’t know what happened,” he said. “Her grandparents were calling her all night wondering if we were OK.”
Former Georgia tight end Leonard Pope was sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton New Orleans, across the street from the Marriott.
Pope woke up to the news after going to a concert by rapper Juvenile on New Year’s Eve and then bought some pralines and came back to his room.
“We’re praying for their families and hoping things can get together real soon,” said Pope, who played in the NFL for seven seasons including with the Cardinals and Chiefs. “We’re here supporting the Bulldogs and down here just visiting family as well.”
– Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
On scene: South Bend reporter awakens to tragedy
In New Orleans to cover tonight’s Sugar Bowl, South Bend Tribune reporter Tom Noie was stunned to see flashing lights and emergency vehicles outside his hotel room window before sunrise.
‘On a day of football, of new beginnings, of hope, there is only tragedy,’ Noie writes. ‘Sad. Senseless. People lost their lives down there. Others who were down there last night woke up this morning in area hospitals, many possibly fighting to see the rest of 2025 and beyond.’
Now, Noie continues, the all-important playoff game seems much less important.
‘The sight of all those squad cars, all those blue lights flashing quietly in the pre-dawn hours, leaves you shaken. How might Notre Dame’s offensive line handle Georgia’s defense? Will quarterback Riley Leonard make as many plays with his right arm as with his feet?
‘None of that matters.’
Superdome will be secure, Sen. Cassidy says in interview
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) appeared on CNN on Wednesday morning and was asked about tonight’s game.
‘Extremely confident,’ Cassidy told CNN when asked if the Sugar Bowl would be played later in the evening. ‘The standard operating procedure for a big game like the Sugar Bowl, for a Saints game, for the Super Bowl is to go through the building, make sure there’s nothing there that’s wrong, and then to lock it down. The Sugar Bowl, the Superdome has been locked down. There is going to be no problem there.’
In addition to the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans will also play host to Super Bowl 59 on Feb 9.
Former Homeland Security official discusses security plan for New Orleans
“The Sugar Bowl is huge. Lots of people will be watching,” Juliette Kayyem, a former top U.S. Department of Homeland Security official, told CNN. “It should go on. The police department has lots of resources to draw on. It can protect the investigation and also draw on other local and state resources to protect people going to the bowl.”
She added: “This is the way that big cities have to work. Unfortunately, we want to provide what might even be security theater at this stage, lots and lots of law enforcement presence to make the city and people attending understand that they are safe, to stop anyone who might want to copycat at this stage, and then you let the investigation and the mourning continue simultaneously. It’s just the nature of how these things happen is that you have both these horrible incidences, and then you have to prepare for the next big event. And this is when we’ve seen in prior instances as well.”
Sugar Bowl official offers condolences for victims
Less than 12 hours before kickoff, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley released a statement Wednesday morning in which he expressed sympathy for victims and their families and added: “We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”
Notre Dame vs. Georgia preview
Coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl for the right to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Quarterback Riley Leonard has completed 217 of 325 pass attempts this season for 2,293 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. Leonard also rushed for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Irish. Running back Jeremiyah Love had 142 carries for 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
Georgia did not play last week after beating Texas to win the SEC Championship game on Dec. 7. For being one of the four highest-ranked conference champions, the Bulldogs earned a first-round bye.
Starting quarterback Carson Beck will not play for the Bulldogs after having surgery for an elbow injury. He declared for the NFL draft on Saturday.
Gunner Stockton is expected to start against Notre Dame. Stockton completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 71 yards and an interception after replacing Beck in the SEC title game. Running back Trevor Etienne rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns to help lead Georgia’s offensive attack.
Here’s what you need to know for the Sugar Bowl:
When is Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia?
The Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs kicks off at 8:45 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
How to watch Notre Dame and Georgia in Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Watch Notre Dame take on Georgia with a Fubo subscription
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