USC dropped a bombshell of a statement Monday, trying to explain away the brutal attendance numbers from their season opener against San Jose State on Saturday. The LA Memorial Coliseum looked shockingly empty, prompting the program to address the optics of a less-than-packed house for what they hope is a pivotal season.
The Brutal Truth About Those “Factors”
The official word from USC to USA Today was, “We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance.” They went on to say they have “high expectations and a premier home schedule this season,” and that an “electric Coliseum atmosphere” is key. They even thanked the fans who *did* show up. But come on, we all know what those “factors” probably were. For one, it was a ridiculously hot day in Los Angeles, and the Coliseum offers zero protection from the sun. Former NFL cornerback Will Blackmon, who was actually at the game, backed this up big time. He said, “It was outrageously hot and humid with zero shade. No breeze. Nada… We could barely survive the 1st quarter and they are playing San Jose State at 12pm. Lol Brutal.” Ouch. The other big “factor”? Playing San Jose State. They are not a Power Four program and haven’t hit more than seven wins in a season since 2012. Not exactly a marquee matchup that gets the casual fan sprinting for tickets.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, But the Pictures Might
USC listed the attendance as 51,144 for Saturday’s game. Let that sink in. That’s the program’s lowest attendance since 2018, and the lowest since Lincoln Riley took the reins in 2022. The LA Memorial Coliseum seats a whopping 77,500 fans, which means more than 26,000 seats were empty. And honestly, if you saw the pictures floating around from just before and at kickoff, it looked even emptier than that number suggests. It’s a rough look for a program hoping to be “near the top of the Big Ten” with QB Jayden Maiava back. USC is touting a “premier home schedule,” but their next two home dates are Fresno State and Louisiana. The real tests like Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, and Maryland are still a ways off in the Big Ten home schedule.
So, what’s next for the Trojans? They’re clearly hoping for “increased attendance the rest of the season.” Those next two home games against Fresno State and Louisiana will be a real litmus test. Can they generate that “electric Coliseum atmosphere” the team clearly needs, or will those seats stay empty until the Big Ten heavy hitters roll into town?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply