National News

USC football crowd struggles in home opener despite win over San Jose State

USC football’s season opener at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum drew criticism for its low attendance. The Trojans defeated San Jose State 42-26, but the sparse turnout at kickoff quickly went viral on social media.

All eyes then shifted to the team’s next home game against Fresno State, a Pac-12 opponent. While expectations for a larger crowd were modest, attendance remained underwhelming. USC coach Lincoln Riley dismissed the low turnout as a “false narrative,” citing factors such as traffic and the holiday weekend.

Despite the early struggles, the stadium saw increased attendance by the second quarter, as fans gradually arrived. USC’s next home game against Oregon is scheduled for Sept. 26, when the Trojans will face a Big Ten opponent.

USC remains optimistic about the season, despite the initial attendance issues, which some attribute to Los Angeles traffic and fans arriving late. The team is ranked No. 14 nationally and looks to build momentum after the Week 0 win.

Source: Original Article

Jon Ross Myers

Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com