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ESPN announces updated kickoff time for Gator Bowl after Sugar Bowl postponement

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With the Sugar Bowl now set for Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, ESPN has to update its programming schedule. That includes a new kickoff time for the Gator Bowl and TV channel designation for the Under Armour All-America Game.

The Gator Bowl between Ole Miss and Duke will now slide back to 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from its previous 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff time, the network announced. It will follow coverage of the Sugar Bowl, which will feature Notre Dame and Georgia squaring off for a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

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But because the Sugar Bowl is at 4 p.m. ET, it will be in the same window as the Under Armour All-America Game. As a result, the showcase will move to ESPN2 at the same time.

The Sugar Bowl will have the same broadcast team even with the shift back to Thursday. Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath and Laura Rutledge will be on the call for the highly anticipated matchup.

With the opening in the schedule Wednesday night, ESPN called an audible. Following the Rose Bowl between Oregon and Ohio State, SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt will take over until 11 p.m. ET when SportsCenter LA wraps up the day.

More on the postponement of the Sugar Bowl

The status of Wednesday’s game came into question after an overnight attack on Bourbon Street. According to police, a man drove a white pickup truck into a crowd after 3 a.m. local time, killing at least 15 people and injuring many more. The suspect also shot at officers, and an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle, officials said.

The incident lead to shelters-in-place at both Georgia and Notre Dame team hotels ahead of their schedule appearance in the Sugar Bowl. Security did a sweep of the Caesars Superdome, which is near the site of the attack, but officials announced the game would be postponed. Bowl officials, as well as those from the College Football Playoff and ESPN, were part of the decision.

“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 College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark in a statement. “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.”