Stillman College officials have canceled the school’s first home football game of the season because of flu concerns, according to a story appearing in Friday’s Tuscaloosa News.

Stillman was scheduled to play Clark Atlanta on Saturday. The Associated Press reported that since the game was unable to be rescheduled, Stillman was required to forfeit.

Stillman officials released a statement saying that several football players were suffering flu-like symptoms this week. The game was canceled in an effort to protect the student body, faculty and staff.

“We are understandably concerned about the welfare of our players and our fans,” said Curtis Campbell, Stillman’s director of athletics. “I believe it would be irresponsible to ignore the possibility of putting our team, fans and the general public at risk.”

Stillman opened the season last Saturday with a loss at Kentucky State. Stillman’s next scheduled game is at home September 12 against Albany State (Georgia).