USC kicked off its 2026 football season with a commanding 42-26 victory over San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. While the Trojans secured the win and improved to 1-0, the game drew significant attention for reasons unrelated to the performance on the field. The stadium appeared noticeably sparse during the matchup, marking the program’s lowest attendance figure in nearly eight years.
Multiple factors contributed to the disappointing crowd size at the home opener. The combination of oppressive heat conditions, an early kickoff time, and facing a non-marquee opponent all played roles in keeping fans away from the Coliseum. The sparse attendance became so noteworthy that images of the largely empty stadium circulated widely among sports media outlets and social media platforms.
In response to the widespread attention surrounding the low turnout, USC released an official statement acknowledging the circumstances that affected Saturday’s crowd. The university expressed confidence in its home schedule moving forward and emphasized the importance of fan support in creating a competitive advantage for the program. Officials thanked those who attended and expressed optimism about improved attendance for upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the Trojans face challenges similar to Saturday’s conditions. An upcoming Friday night matchup against Fresno State typically struggles to draw large crowds, suggesting attendance concerns may persist in the near term despite the university’s efforts to boost fan engagement.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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