The College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed due to a tragic pickup truck attack in New Orleans, which resulted in the loss of 15 lives and numerous injuries.
The game, initially set for 7:45 p.m. Central at the 70,000-seat Caesars Superdome, will now take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday. The winner of this matchup will proceed to the Orange Bowl on January 9 against Penn State.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families as we work through this,” said Jeff Hundley, the chief executive officer of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. “We have full faith and confidence in the governor and the mayor and all the federal, state, and local first-responders that they’ve applied to this horrific event. Any time we have an event like the Sugar Bowl, public safety is paramount, and all parties involved agree that could only be achieved with a postponement. Now we will move ahead to take care of the details to make the Sugar Bowl the first-class, fun, and safe event that it has been for over 90 years.”
The decision to postpone the game was made following a security sweep at the Superdome, prompted by the discovery of two improvised explosive devices at the location of the incident in the French Quarter district. Jason Williams, the district attorney for Orleans Parish, which encompasses New Orleans, informed ABC News that investigators are currently performing a grid search to ascertain whether any additional explosive devices have been planted.
“On behalf of the College Football Playoff, we are devastated by this morning’s attack, and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,” said Rich Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff. “We are grateful to the leadership of the Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, the State of Louisiana and federal authorities as we work together to ensure we can provide a safe environment for everyone. We are also appreciative of ESPN’s flexibility in moving the game to tomorrow afternoon.”
The incident, which resulted in injuries to over 30 individuals, took place at approximately 3:15 a.m. CT on Wednesday in the vibrant French Quarter of New Orleans, a renowned destination for New Year’s Eve celebrations. According to the FBI, the driver of the vehicle was deceased following an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. The agency further noted that it is conducting an investigation, in collaboration with its partners, treating this as a potential act of terrorism.
A vehicle collided with a group of individuals on Bourbon Street. Following the incident, the driver, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, exited the vehicle and discharged a firearm at responding law enforcement officers, according to the New Orleans police. Officers returned fire, resulting in the death of Mr. Jabbar.
Authorities reported that Jabbar drove onto a sidewalk, maneuvering around a police vehicle that had been stationed to prevent vehicular traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians on Bourbon Street. A barrier system designed to mitigate vehicle attacks was undergoing repairs in advance of the Super Bowl, which is scheduled to take place in the city in February.
The Georgia and Notre Dame football teams arrived in New Orleans on Sunday and have been accommodated at downtown hotels located just a few blocks from the site of the recent incident.
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