Los Angeles – After a 42-26 victory over San Jose State on Saturday, the University of Southern California acknowledged that the crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was thinner than expected. The announced attendance of 51,144 was the lowest for a home game since Lincoln Riley took over as head coach in 2022.
University statement calls for stronger fan support
In a statement released Monday, USC said, “We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance. We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program. We thank our fans who showed up Saturday and look forward to seeing increased attendance the rest of the season.”
Heat likely kept fans away
The noon kickoff coincided with a heat advisory from the National Weather Service, with temperatures climbing into the mid‑90s and the heat index topping 100 degrees. To make conditions more tolerable, the university added cooling stations, portable fans, and allowed spectators to bring extra water into the venue. Despite those measures, many attendees left their seats for shaded areas of the Coliseum.
USC defensive tackle Jide Abasiri, a Minnesota native, commented, “I didn’t like it. Being from Minnesota, snow games are my preference over the super hot games.”
Attendance down from previous year
The turnout represented a notable decline from the 2025 season opener, when an announced 62,841 fans watched the Trojans host Missouri State in a late‑afternoon contest. The drop underscores the challenge of drawing crowds during extreme summer heat, even for a program with a storied football tradition.
Next home game offers a chance to fill the Coliseum
USC’s next home matchup is scheduled for Friday night against Fresno State. The later kickoff time should provide cooler evening conditions, giving fans a more comfortable environment to support the Trojans. The university hopes the change in timing, combined with the team’s continued success, will encourage a larger turnout and restore the electric atmosphere that the program values.
Local supporters are encouraged to plan ahead, bring water, and take advantage of the cooling stations the university will again provide. With the Trojans aiming to maintain a winning record, the university believes a full stadium will not only boost team morale but also reinforce the community spirit that surrounds USC football.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
