USC's football team faced a more encouraging attendance for its Friday night matchup against Fresno State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, following a Week 0 game against San Jose State that was widely criticized for its sparse crowd. While the number of attendees increased, the stadium still had a significant number of empty seats.
Circumstances on Friday night, including a 6:00 PM PT kickoff on the eve of the Labor Day weekend, contributed to fans arriving later. Many attendees were observed filtering into the Coliseum during the first and second quarters, with sections appearing sparse at kickoff. The atmosphere became noticeably more lively as the evening progressed compared to the earlier game played in higher temperatures.
Despite the improvement, the estimated attendance of approximately 45,000 remained well below the Coliseum's 77,500-seat capacity. This situation serves as a reminder that the program has work to do beyond on-field performance to consistently fill the historic venue, which was a hub of college football in the mid-2000s. The visible empty seats have drawn attention, with the hope that continued success will incentivize fans to return.