Lincoln Riley isn't buying the idea that USC has an attendance problem, even after a nationally criticized turnout cast an awkward shadow over the Trojans' season-opening win over San Jose State. While Riley downplayed the empty seats and pointed toward the program's broader momentum, the optics were difficult to ignore. USC entered the season ranked No. 14, armed with a Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback and legitimate College Football Playoff expectations.
However, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum lacked the energy and urgency typically associated with a program of that national relevance. People are going to pay attention, and people are going to have an opinion. That's part of being a blue-blood school.
I don't buy into the false narrative," Riley told reporters on Tuesday. "I think that comes from a lot of people that don't follow our program, and most of those who have never stepped foot in the Coliseum. The reality is during my years here, the attendance has gone up every single year here, as has our play in the Coliseum, including running the table last year in front of a lot of epic atmospheres.
And I expect that to happen again this year." Several coaches opined this week on USC's stunning attendance, including Texas Tech's Joey McGuire and California's Tosh Lupoi. "There's close to eight million people in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, and I don't mean this by any disrespect to anybody, but to turn on the TV after our practice last Saturday and to see that environment in Los Angeles, that's disheartening to see what little amount of individuals came out to support," Lupoi said. USC's average home attendance declined from 71,571 in 2024 to 67,782 in 2025, and Week 0's announced crowd of 51,144 was its second-lowest of the decade.
USC's lowest-attended home game over the past 10 years was 47,406 against Arizona State on Oct. 27, 2018. The Trojans lost 38-35 at the Coliseum, and USC noted it was the program's smallest home crowd since 2001. Sweltering temperatures and humidity were blamed for last weekend's opener, prompting a statement from USC.
"We understand the factors that impacted Saturday's attendance," USC wrote in a statement. "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." This is Los Angeles, where winning alone does not guarantee attention, but sparse crowds remain a troubling visual for a brand built on star power.
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