The Sugar Bowl will start 20 hours late with a moment of silence following the terrorist attack in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS – Enthusiastic Georgia and Notre Dame fans filed into the Superdome Thursday afternoon, cheering on their beloved Bulldogs and Irish without fear of the terrorism that had struck just blocks away.

College Football Playoffs (CFP) quarterfinal game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame started about 20 hours late, after a one-man attack on pedestrians in the French Quarter.

The sugar bowl had been set for 7:45 p.m. CST Wednesday, before a US Army veteran from Texas rammed his rented pickup truck into partygoers around 7 p.m. 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street and killed more than a dozen on New Year’s Eve.

Wednesday’s attack prompted The postponement of the sugar bowl with local law enforcement resources devoted to the crime scene, less than a mile from the Sugar Bowl’s Superdome site. Fans observed a moment of silence for the victims before kickoff Thursday.

The odd start time, a little after 15 on a weekday, could have led to late-arriving crowds as some sections of the Superdome’s upper levels were not immediately filled for this national quarterfinal game.

But the unusual setting did not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans in attendance.

“The police presence is extensive, New Orleans knows exactly what they’re doing when it comes to a big party,” said Georgia fan BJ Barnett Barnnett, 42, who drove to the game from his home in Athens.

“F— a terrorist, they won’t make us miss any football game. Those dogs want to win, that’s what we do.”

Fans didn’t seem to mind the hassle of extra security.

“I feel that the incident was isolated but very unfortunate. The amount of time it took me to park shows me that there was a concentrated effort to migrate any risk that may have occurred,” said Kelvin Jones, 40, who drove 90 minutes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Wednesday and Thursday to attend the game. “I feel safe.”

The block of Bourbon Street where local and federal investigators have been searching for evidence was reopened before kickoff.

“This city will be back, will be open for family and friends and loved ones who want some time to relax from the pressures of life,” Gov. Jeff Landry told reporters Thursday.

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said visitors will see plenty of her officers on duty in the neighborhood.

“People are going to see an incredibly large police presence, and we’re confident. But we want our community to feel safe and know that they’re confident” that the French Quarter will be safe, New Orleans added ‘ top officer.

Less than 24 hours ago, local and federal officials warned that the suspect had an accomplice

“I know something can change again,” Landry said. “Here’s what I do know, though: Right now, this is one of the safest places on earth.”

The deadly attack raised questions about future high-profile events in New Orleans, especially that one Super Bowl, which is set for 9 Feb in the Superdome.

New Orleans has long been one of the NFL’s go-to cities for its championship game, which has been played 10 times in the Big Easy — three at Tulane University and seven at the Superdome. No venue has hosted more Super Bowls than the Superdome.

The Bourbon Street Attack has not shaken The NFL’s faith in New Orleans as the host city for the Super Bowl.

The league said in a statement Wednesday that it remains “confident that attendees will have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience” in 5 1/2 weeks.

This is a development story. Please check back for updates.

Jesse Kirsch and Deon J. Hampton reported from New Orleans and David K. Li New York City.