USC Trojans’ Latest L.A. Coliseum Attendance Sparks Questions

The USC Trojans host Week 2 opponent Georgia Southern at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, led by former USC coach Clay Helton. For a competitive spirit surrounding the game, the attendance inside the Coliseum at the time of kickoff is shockingly low.

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches from the sidelines against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans kicked off Week 2 with the Georgia Southern Eagles visiting for the first time in program history led by coach Clay Helton, a familiar face to Trojans fans.

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks with Southern California Trojans quarterback Husan Longstreet (4) in the second half against the Missouri State Bears at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After a dominant 73-13 performance last weekend over the Missouri State Bears, USC is rolling into another home game in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to face the former USC coach.

Smaller Coliseum Attendance?

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans song girls cheerleaders perform in the second half against the Missouri State Bears at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Although Week's 1 and 2 competition were both non-conference with the Trojans favored in each, the Coliseum attendance has been low for a stadium that can hold 77,500 fans. Last week, the Coliseum welcomed only 62,841 fans, a solid attendance for a home-opener for USC against a first time FBS opponent.

For today's home against the Eagles, the stadium appears to have a large amount of open seats at the time of kickoff.

Here’s the scene at the Coliseum just before kickoff of USC-Georgia Southern pic.twitter.com/bx18ByNWaa

— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) September 6, 2025

USC home games have seen games with smaller attendance numbers like today, but have also hosted record breaking number of fans for numerous USC games like the 2017 USC vs. UCLA rivalry, hosting over 82,000 fans.

It's a busier night on campus, with USC women's volleyball hosting the Trojan Invitational, including teams San Diego Toreros, the Creighton Bluejays, and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, which could be a factor into a smaller attendance at kickoff.

Trojans Fans Rolling In Late

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) scores on a 75-yard touchdown run against the Missouri State Bears in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Trojans fanbase is consistent, but maybe not always on time. The first quarter for the Trojans and Eagles saw a gradually filling up stadium, with fewer seats open each play.

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As for the student section, which was merely filled by the time of kickoff, a loud and spirited student fanbase are slowly filling up seats.

The Trojans finished the first quarter with a dominant 21-6 performance, with two touchdowns from wide receiver Makai Lemon and one from Ja'Kobi Lane, whose one-handed reception in the end zone cued a Coliseum roar.

USC's offense scored 73 points last week in their win against Missouri State and is on pace to challenge that total against Georgia Southern. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has thrown for 304 yards on 12/18 with four touchdowns. USC took a 31-13 into the half. The highlight of the first half was an incredible touchdown grab by wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane. Lane has three receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown.

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Lake McRee (87, running back Eli Sanders (1) and wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrate after a touchdown against the Missouri State Bears in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The second quarter attendance looked promising, with a quarter's difference between then and kickoff bringing the energy the Trojan team is looking for.

While attendance records for today's game are not yet available, fans seem to be taking a fashionably late approach to non-conference games at home, especially in the thick of Los Angeles heat in the beginning of September.