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USC Beats San Jose State 42-26 in Home Opener

9/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

USC defeated San Jose State 42-26 in its home opener.
The game drew a tiny crowd despite a 12 p.m. kickoff and mid-90s heat with high humidity and $60 parking.
Coach Lincoln Riley was labeled on the hot seat after criticism over the poor attendance.
Future USC tickets cost $425-$475 and many international students reportedly care less about football.

History

Historical Context

USC’s football attendance dipped to a historic low in 1970, the same season the Trojans became the first fully integrated team to play in Alabama. Decades later, Pete Carroll’s early-2000s squads regularly filled the 77,500-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, surpassing 90,000 fans. The current slump echoes those early challenges as the program seeks new pricing and marketing strategies.

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Story summary

USC defeated San Jose State 42-26 in its home opener.
The game drew a tiny crowd despite a 12 p.m. kickoff and mid-90s heat with high humidity and $60 parking.
Coach Lincoln Riley was labeled on the hot seat after criticism over the poor attendance.
Future USC tickets cost $425-$475 and many international students reportedly care less about football.

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