USC’s second home game at the L.A. Coliseum this season saw a bigger crowd than its opener, but honestly, it wasn’t by much. After a turnout so rough for their first game the school actually dropped a statement about it, the Trojans announced a crowd of 53,014 for their Fresno State game on Friday. That’s up from the 51,114 official attendance for the San Jose State opener, but when you look at how many folks actually *scanned* their tickets, the numbers tell a wilder story.
The Coliseum’s Empty Seats Are Louder Than You Think
Let’s get real about those numbers. While the official attendance jumped to 53,014 for Fresno State, the actual tickets scanned climbed to 45,833. That’s better than the mere 35,585 scanned for the San Jose State game, for sure. But here’s the kicker: the L.A. Coliseum holds a massive 71,349 for USC games. We’re talking about thousands of seats still sitting empty, even when the announced numbers sound decent. It’s a huge gap from a packed house, and you gotta wonder if those “announced” figures are trying to paint a rosier picture than what’s really happening on game day. The atmosphere just isn’t the same when you know that many seats are unfilled.
Lincoln Riley Pushes Back, But The Pressure Is On
Coach Lincoln Riley isn’t having any of the chatter that interest in the program is slipping. He’s on record, pushing back hard, saying a lot of the talk comes from people who “don’t follow our program, most of those who have never stepped foot in the Coliseum.” Riley insists attendance has gone up every single year he’s been there, and that they ran the table last year in front of “epic atmospheres.” He even expects that “to happen again this year.” That’s a bold stance when you’re looking at thousands of unsold seats, no matter how much the scanned numbers have improved. He’s fighting a narrative, and the best way to win that fight is to get those seats filled.
What’s Next for the Trojans’ Home Slate
So, what’s next for USC’s home schedule to prove Riley right? They’ve got Louisiana coming to town in seven days, which is their next shot to pack the house. Then, things get serious. In two weeks, No. 2 Oregon visits, followed by No. 17 Washington. Yeah, the Huskies are rolling in! Finishing out their seven-game home slate are No. 1 Ohio State and Maryland. If any games are going to draw those “epic atmospheres” Riley talked about, it’s gotta be those ranked matchups. The team needs to bring the heat, and the fans need to show up to back that talk.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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