Buses arrived at Grambling State University to take the football team to their game against Jackson State, but just like practice all week, no one showed up, USA Today reported.

Some players did show up, 22 in total, or in other words, one-quarter of the Tigers' roster. Half of the players needed to field a team, Grambling was forced to forfeit their game Saturday, which also resulted in a $20,000 fine to the school as part of league bylaws.

"I've been in touch with the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) and Jackson State University and this has been declared a no contest," school spokesman Will Sutton said in a statement.

The players have been protesting all week by not showing up to practices. They are reportedly displeased with the poor quality of equipment, the travel arrangements that include taking a bus to distant games like Indianapolis instead of a plane and the turmoil surround the head coaching position.

Athletic director Aaron James named the team's third head coach in five weeks Thursday, announcing George Ragsdale would be "reassigned" in the department and Dennis Winston would take over as interim coach. In late Sept., the team fired Doug Williams after a 0-2 start. The team is now 0-8, including the forfeit to Jackson State.

One player who wished to remain anonymous told ESPN the players held a meeting Friday afternoon and decided not to show up to the buses later that day.

"We aren't playing," the player said.

The turmoil boiled over Tuesday in a meeting between school administrators including Grambling president Frank Pogue, James, Ragsdale and the players. Sutton confirmed that the meeting became increasingly negative and "some players" walked out before it was over.

The next morning, at the team's weight training session, one player reportedly voiced his opinions and frustrations to a coach and was kicked out. The team followed suit and have not showed up to an organized team event since.

In his first public appearance since Williams was fired, Pogue told the Grambling community in a Friday morning press conference he expected the team to play against Jackson State. He said he and the school would support its struggling football team no matter what.

"We support our team when we are losing and when we are winning," Pogue said. "Our goal right now is to move forward with our academic and our athletic program. We support our men on and off the field."