CFP issues statement on Sugar Bowl postponement; what is the latest status of the Orange Bowl?

Penn State football punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl with a dramatic 31-14 win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night. However, the Nittany Lions had their schedule for next Thursday’s playoff game altered following the decision to postpone Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl as a result of the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans.

“With law enforcement assets that would typically be allocated to an event of this stature currently engaged in active investigations related to the incident, the postponement will allow for additional security resources to be put in place in order to maintain the typical standards of a major event in the Caesars Superdome,” the College Football Playoff wrote in a statement on Wednesday. The matchup between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 2 Georgia will now be played on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.

“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,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said. “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.”

As of Wednesday evening, the Orange Bowl is still scheduled to be played as planned on Thursday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Penn State football will take on either the Bulldogs or the Fighting Irish. The Nittany Lions will now have a typical seven-day game week to prepare for their opponent instead of eight days if the game had been played as planned on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I want to enjoy this Boise win and this Fiesta Bowl win for a couple hours,” James Franklin said when asked his initial impressions of Georgia and Notre Dame on Tuesday night.  “We’re going to enjoy the new year. We’re going to enjoy this win for a couple hours, and then, obviously, we’ll start to get a little bit of a head start on these teams.

“But obviously, two great programs. Won a bunch of games. History, tradition, talent, coaching. At this point in the season, you’re going to play really good people, and we’re excited about that opportunity.

“But tonight, we want to enjoy this for a couple of hours. There will be plenty of time and hours to get focused on those next opponents.”

You can watch James Franklin’s full postgame press conference on the Basic Blues Nation YouTube Channel.

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