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Sugar Bowl to go on as scheduled following 'act of terrorism' in New Orleans

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra01/01/25

SamraSource

Sugar Bowl
(Imagn)

The Allstate Sugar Bowl will be going on as scheduled, despite a devastating mass casualty incident that killed 10 and injured as many as 30 on New Year’s Day in New Orleans.

Questions regarding whether the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game between Georgia and Notre Dame at the Caesars Superdome would be played came to light after vehicle drove into a crowd on Canal and Bourbon Street in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has called it a “terrorist attack” in the wake of the incident.

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However, the Bulldogs and the Fighting Irish will still kickoff at 8:45 p.m. with a chance to advance to the Semifinals of the CFP on the line. In light of the devastating event, Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said officers would work to ensure safety at the Sugar Bowl, per ESPN.

Furthermore, ESPN added that the male driver responsible was shot and killed by police when he got out of his truck, according to what law enforcement officials told ABC News. The man was also in possession of an assault rifle and had allegedly been firing a gun while he was driving through the crowd, the officials added.

“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said, via ESPN. “It was very intentional behavior. This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”

Moreover, President Biden has been briefed on the matter and has been in touch with Cantrell to offer support, according to the White House via ABC News.

All told, the heartless incident has left New Orleans and the world shaken to start New Year’s Day. Thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this senseless crime in Louisiana.

Georgia defeated the Texas Longhorns to capture the SEC title, which led to them receiving a bye during the First Round of the CFP. As for the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame welcomed Indiana to South Bend, where they took care of business to advance to the Sugar Bowl, setting up a massive showdown between two of college football’s biggest brands.

The Caesars Superdome should be rocking, as Georgia and Notre Dame fans certainly made the trip to New Orleans for the showdown. Whichever team gets the victory will have a date with the Penn State Nittany Lions next on the docket, as they defeated the Boise State Broncos on New Year’s Eve to clinch their spot in the Semifinals already.