Florida’s first home football game was canceled Thursday because of Hurricane Irma.
"As the hurricane's track has approached the state of Florida, it’s become obvious that playing a football game is not the right thing to do,” UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said in a press release.
Stricklin said a large amount of fans traveling to the game could put a burden on roadways already filled with those trying to evacuate.
"Gainesville is also close to some of Florida's heaviest traffic points this week, specifically Interstate 75, which is a key statewide evacuation route,” Stricklin said.
Florida, which was slated to face Northern Colorado at noon Saturday, announced the game will not will not be rescheduled because the teams do not share an open date for the rest of the season.
The game had already been rescheduled from 7:30 p.m. Saturday to noon because the Category 5 hurricane was expected to hit Gainesville either Saturday night or Sunday morning.
After staying in contact with UF and government officials, Stricklin said the state’s focus should be on relief efforts rather than the game.
In a release, the school announced that refund information would be communicated to those who have already purchased tickets.
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