The USC Trojans hosted Fresno State at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in their second game of the season, following criticism for a low attendance at their previous opener. Despite expectations that traffic and a holiday weekend might deter fans, the crowd was initially sparse but eventually filled out by the second quarter. The Trojans beat Fresno State 42-26, and their next big test is hosting Oregon on September 26. The game drew an unspecified number of attendees, with some speculation that being late to events is fashionable in Los Angeles contributing to the initial slow turnout.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 4403 · logged 2026-09-05
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“Article A discusses USC's defensive performance in their season opener against San Jose State, while Article B mentions the turnout at the game and the Trojans' ability to draw a crowd for their next game”
🔮 It remains to be seen how the year will turn out, but one thing is already certain: their mascot, Hoosier the Bison, will be bringing it every single weekend.
🔮 So all eyes were on L.A. to see whether the Trojans could draw a crowd more befitting of a blue-blood Big Ten program currently ranked No. 14 in the nation.
🔮 It's also why he has a golf course at his house, and I don't even have a putting mat... although I could order one on Amazon right now and it would be here at some point tomorrow.
framing: mixed ·
carried by 1 article(s) ·
first seen 2026-09-05
🔮 So all eyes were on L.A. to see whether the Trojans could draw a crowd more befitting of a blue-blood Big Ten program currently ranked No. 14 in the nation.
It’s not like they lost or anything; they beat San Jose State, 42-26.
asserted
they → ’ → State
It was the turnout at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that was getting a lot of attention.
asserted
that → get → attention
And by that, I mean the measly crowd at kickoff was getting roasted all over social media.
asserted
crowd → mean → media
So all eyes were on L.A. to see whether the Trojans could draw a crowd more befitting of a blue-blood Big Ten program currently ranked No. 14 in the nation.
uncertain
Trojans → see → nation
The Trojans hosted the Fresno State Bulldogs on Friday night, a Pac-12 team that isn't one to overlook.
asserted
that → host → team
And sure, no one thought this was going to bring in a sellout crowd the way a big rivalry game would... but you'd think they could draw a little better than this:
Not as "ouch" as Week 0, but it's still not pretty.
uncertain
it → think → Week
Of course, as that post noted, it is a Friday before a holiday weekend in the traffic hellscape that is Los Angeles...
asserted
that → note → hellscape
but this is also USC football, and they look like they could have a solid year.
But nope.
uncertain
they → look → year
But hold the phone ... this is L.A.: Not only is traffic a nightmare, but it’s also the kind of place where it’s cool to be fashionably late.
asserted
it → hold → place
You know who shows up for kickoff and is on time for stuff?
asserted
who → know → stuff
That's why, by the time the second quarter had rolled around, the stadium had filled out pretty well, considering it was a Week 1 non-conference tilt.
asserted
it → roll → time
The Trojans' first home game against a Big Ten opponent will be on Sept. 26 when they host the Oregon Ducks.
asserted
