CALIFORNIA — A state university in Western Pennsylvania says it’s forfeiting an upcoming football game after five players were arrested in connection with a violent assault outside an off-campus restaurant.

California (Pa.) University immediately suspended the players Thursday and told the state athletic conference the Division II football team won’t play Saturday against Gannon University.

Police say the players attacked Lewis Campbell around 2 a.m. Thursday as he tried to stop an argument between his girlfriend and a player.

They say the players beat and stomped the 30-year-old Campbell and yelled “football strong” as they fled in a car.

The players are jailed on charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Campbell is in intensive care with a severe brain injury.