When USC backed out of the long-running rivalry series with Notre Dame, the score of Saturday afternoon's game against San Jose State was exactly what Lincoln Riley wanted. Instead of an embarrassing loss to Marcus Freeman and Co., the Trojans took down the Spartans in a blowout big enough that the Big Ten school was able to empty the bench in the second half.
However, because this is Lincoln Riley, things actually didn't go quite how he wanted. While USC fans were focused on the 42-26 season-opening win, everyone else was focused on how empty the stadium was. Even those who are on the side of USC couldn't help but notice that the game didn't seem to draw too many fans, even after waiting over the course of a long offseason to see their favorite team in action.
It was USC beat writer for the Los Angeles Times and the Times of Troy newsletter, Ryan Kartje, who brought all kinds of scorn down on the long-time Notre Dame rival, whether he meant to or not. The reporter posted a picture of the stadium at kickoff for Saturday's game on social media.
Not only were fans spread out all across the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but there were whole, massive sections of the stadium where no one was sitting. It doesn't help that the Coliseum can seat 77,000, because when attendees come nowhere near that number, it becomes very obvious, very quickly.
USC attendance draws ridicule after abandoning Notre Dame football rivalry
The scorn came quickly, with more than a few opposing fanbases pointing out that USC blew up the Pac-12 when they and UCLA moved to the Big Ten, and now they can't come close to selling out their stadium.
These guys blew up the Pac-12 so they could go be a Big Time football program. https://t.co/naTcgB7yUK
โ Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) August 29, 2026
Other fans pointed out that there was simply no way that the stadium would be this empty for many other teams, especially those in the SEC. Even if the opponent was the very weak San Jose State Spartans.
This would never happen in the SEC https://t.co/lTnDpZT61N
โ โ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐โก๏ธ (@HamDawg115) August 29, 2026
After the pictures started circulating on social media, USC fans tried to explain that there were very few people there because it was around 100 degrees and there "wasn't any shade." The problem with that excuse is that most football fans are used to hot days at the beginning of the season.
Arkansas went 2-10 last year and will have 70,000+ in attendance watching them play an FCS bottom dweller in 100 degree heat https://t.co/WcoSnxDQ4S
โ Big Pig Aidsap (@aidsapev) August 30, 2026
In fact, the excuses for why fans didn't come anywhere close to filling the stadium only drew even more scorn, with more than a few social media users pointing out that the situation was hardly new.
USC fans acting like theyโre the only ones who have ever experienced 100+ degree weather at kick off is quite entertaining https://t.co/2bZJRxCAjD
โ Amanda Atwell (@AmandaMAtwell) August 29, 2026
Some users even pointed out that it wasn't really hypothetical that other teams would also have to play in very hot, humid weather. One South Carolina fan pointed out that the "other USC" will have nearly identical conditions next weekend and that there's zero chance the stadium will be nearly as empty.
One USC fanbase blamed the heat for todayโs turnout.
โ Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) August 29, 2026
Next Saturday in 100 degree weather, the other USC will have 80,000 packed into Williams Brice Stadium at 12:45pm ET to watch a game vs Kent State. Shoes will be melting but theyโll be there.
It just means more. https://t.co/RMZGBcwLJ9 pic.twitter.com/rtpYHUkV3p
Los Angeles teams often take ... heat for how bad attendance is at home. However, there was something extra about the taunting of USC because of how the school and Lincoln Riley carry themselves. Notre Dame fans, especially, had to be laughing pretty hard as they got their revenge for being deserted.
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