The Aporia · USC’s Coliseum crowd looked better — but the empty seats aren’t gone yet

USC’s Coliseum crowd looked better — but the empty seats aren’t gone yet

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Duarte, M. (2026, September 5). USC’s Coliseum crowd looked better — but the empty seats aren’t gone yet. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/04/sports/usc-football-attendance-improves-vs-fresno-state-after-empty-coliseum-backlash/

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Quick Summary

USC's football game against an unspecified opponent had an announced attendance of 53,014 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is still below its 77,500-seat capacity despite an increase from their previous opener. The game was played at 6:00 PM PT on a Friday evening during Labor Day weekend, contributing to empty seats early in the game. However, by nightfall, the atmosphere had improved and appeared more lively compared to USC's previous game against San Jose State. This is seen as a reminder that Lincoln Riley's program still has work to do beyond winning football games to attract larger crowds.

Written by AI on 2026-09-05, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

The USC Trojans' season opener against San Jose State drew attention for its small crowd at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The stadium had an announced attendance of 53,014, which is below the 77,500-seat capacity and several thousand fewer than their next game against Fresno State. While it's not entirely unexpected given that it was a Friday before a holiday weekend in Los Angeles, which is notorious for traffic, fans continued to filter into the stadium throughout the first two quarters, filling out the sparse sections at kickoff. The crowd did improve by nightfall, but this lack of attendance remains an issue for the program, particularly for Lincoln Riley, who has yet to reverse the trend despite a promising start to the season with a 42-26 win over San Jose State.

Written for “USC Football Attendance Issues” on 2026-10-30, grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.

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All eyes were on USC to see if the Trojans could bounce back from nightmare tiny crowd at season opener Same event

Fox News

Hedges 3 of 12 claims Outlet record 70/100

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Uncertain

0 of 11 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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takes no side on a contested political question

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66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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Who wrote this

Michael Duarte

82 article(s) here · 0 carrying a prediction

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Also by Michael Duarte

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2026-10-30 · New York Post

Sean McVay delivers best coaching performance of season as Rams beat Raiders, revive playoff hopes

2026-10-26 · New York Post

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2026-10-25 · New York Post

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2026-10-25 · New York Post

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 82 articles by Michael Duarte →

Claims (11 extracted, 0 hedged)

“Better” isn’t supposed to be the standard. asserted

Better → suppose → ?

Scheduling a 6:00PM PT kickoff on a Friday in Los Angeles, at the start of Labor Day weekend, is practically an invitation to spend the opening drive staring at brake lights on the 10 and 110 Freeway. asserted

Scheduling → schedule → Freeway

As expected, fans continued to filter into the Coliseum gates throughout the first and second quarters, slowly filling sections that looked alarmingly sparse at kickoff. asserted

that → expect → kickoff

By nightfall, the atmosphere was noticeably livelier than the triple-digit afternoon furnace USC played in against San Jose State six days earlier. asserted

USC → play → State

Sign up for the California Morning Report newsletter California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day. asserted

Sign → sign → inbox

The announced attendance was 53,014 an increase from USC’s opener by several thousand people, but still well below the 77,500-seat capacity at the Coliseum. asserted

attendance → announce → Coliseum

It’s yet another reminder that Lincoln Riley’s program has some work to do beyond winning football games. asserted

program → ’ → games

Recruits noticed. asserted

Recruits → notice → ?

Television cameras noticed and opponents were intimidated. asserted

opponents → notice → ?

Two games into the 2026 season and the cameras are noticing empty seats. asserted

cameras → notice → seats

If USC keeps winning, then hopefully they’ll give fans a reason to show up and fill the Coliseum once again. asserted

they → keep → Coliseum

USC’s Coliseum crowd looked better — but the empty seats aren’t gone yet

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Claims (11 extracted, 0 hedged)