Sugar Bowl to be held amid heightened security

Field Level Media|published: Wed 1st January, 10:42 2025

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view of the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game logo before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Sugar Bowl will take place as scheduled Wednesday night amid heightened security following the deadly truck attack in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed that there will be increased police awareness at the Superdome for the College Football Playoff game between Georgia and Notre Dame.

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 10 people and injuring at least 35, Kirkpatrick said.

"It was very intentional behavior," Kirkpatrick 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." The FBI said it was investigating it as an act of terror.

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 suspect has not yet been identified.

Wednesday night's CFP quarterfinal between the No. 2 seed Bulldogs (11-2) and No. 7 Fighting Irish (12-1) is set to kick off at 8:45 p.m. ET.

--Field Level Media