USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley has publicly refuted claims he deems a "false narrative" regarding the attendance at the team's recent season opener. Speaking Tuesday, Riley stated that external commentary on the crowd size at the Coliseum often comes from individuals unfamiliar with the program or the venue.
"I don’t buy into the false narrative – I think that comes from a lot of people that don’t follow our program and most of those who have never set foot in the Coliseum," Riley said. He emphasized that USC's status as a "blueblood school" naturally invites public scrutiny and opinions.
The Trojans' home opener on Saturday against San Jose State saw an announced crowd of 51,144. This figure represents the smallest attendance at the Coliseum since late in the 2018 season. Factors contributing to the low turnout are understood to include the noon kickoff time, high temperatures reaching 94 degrees Fahrenheit, and the opponent being from the Mountain West Conference.
Following the game, USC released a statement acknowledging the circumstances that affected attendance. The university expressed gratitude to the fans who attended and anticipation for increased turnout throughout the remainder of the season, recognizing the "competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program."
Riley also addressed the attendance trend during his tenure. He asserted that attendance at the Coliseum has increased annually since his arrival, citing the team's home record, including an undefeated 7-0 record in 2022 and another 7-0 record in 2025, which were often accompanied by "epic atmospheres."
"The reality is," Riley stated, "during my years here attendance has gone up every single year here, as has our play in the Coliseum, including running the table last year in front of a lot of epic atmospheres and I expect that to happen again this year."
His comments come after California coach Tosh Lupoi expressed disappointment with the visible attendance at the Coliseum, suggesting that a team based in Los Angeles should expect a larger fan turnout. Lupoi contrasted the situation with his own team's environment.