NEW ORLEANS — Enthusiastic Georgia and Notre Dame followers filed into the Superdome on Thursday to look at the Fighting Irish’s 23-10 Sugar Bowl win with none worry of the terrorism that had struck simply blocks away.
The odd Thursday afternoon stage was dominated by No. 7 Notre Dame’s stout protection, which was an excessive amount of for No. 2 Georgia, hobbled by the absence of quarterback Carson Beck, who was injured in final month’s Southeastern Conference title recreation.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinal recreation kicked off about 20 hours late after an assault on pedestrians within the French Quarter.
The Sugar Bowl had been set for 7:45 p.m. native time Wednesday earlier than a U.S. Army veteran from Texas rammed his rented pickup into revelers on Bourbon Street round 3:15 a.m., killing greater than a dozen New Year’s Eve revelers.
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Wednesday’s assault prompted the Sugar Bowl’s postponement with native legislation enforcement assets dedicated to the crime scene, lower than a mile from Superdome. Fans noticed a second of silence for victims earlier than kickoff Thursday.
The uncommon begin time, a little bit after 3 p.m. on a workday, might need led to late-arriving crowds as some elements of the Superdome’s higher ranges weren’t instantly crammed for the nationwide quarterfinal recreation. But the weird setting didn’t seem to dampen followers’ enthusiasm.
“The police presence is in depth. New Orleans is aware of precisely what they’re doing with regards to a giant celebration,” stated Georgia fan BJ Barnett, 42, who drove to the sport from his house in Athens. “F— a terrorist, they ain’t making us miss no soccer recreation.”
Fans did not appear to thoughts the added safety.
“I really feel the incident was remoted however tremendous unlucky. Just how lengthy it took me to park reveals me there was a concentrated effort at mitigating any dangers that will happen,” stated Kelvin Jones, 40, who drove 90 minutes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the sport. “I really feel protected.”
Texas Longhorns fan Breonna Rodriguez, 25, was apprehensive about being on the recreation till she noticed the heavy legislation enforcement presence, which eased her fears.
“At first, I wasn’t positive if I needed to come back,” stated Rodriguez, already trying ahead to a potential title match in opposition to Notre Dame. “I used to be nervous, however now I really feel higher. I’m simply right here to see who we’re going to play.”
The block on Bourbon Street, which native and federal investigators have been combing for proof, reopened earlier than kickoff.
“This metropolis will likely be again, will likely be open to household and buddies and family members who need a while to loosen up from the pressures of life,” Gov. Jeff Landry advised reporters Thursday.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated guests will see loads of her officers on obligation within the neighborhood.
“People are going to see an extremely giant presence of police, and we’re assured. But we would like our neighborhood to really feel assured and know they’re assured” that the French Quarter will likely be protected, she added.
The lethal onslaught raised questions on future high-profile occasions in New Orleans, most notably the Super Bowl, which is ready for Feb. 9 on the Superdome.
New Orleans has lengthy been one of many NFL’s go-to cities for its championship recreation, which has been performed within the metropolis 10 occasions — three at Tulane University and 7 on the Superdome. No venue has performed host to extra Super Bowls than the Superdome.
The Bourbon Street assault has not shaken the NFL’s perception in New Orleans as a Super Bowl host metropolis.
The league stated in assertion Wednesday that it stays “assured attendees may have a protected and pleasant Super Bowl expertise” in 5½ weeks.
Jesse Kirsch and Deon J. Hampton reported from New Orleans and David Okay. Li from New York City.