Pityful USC crowd at Rutgers match goes viral

The LA Memorial Coliseum was a ghost town for Rutgers-USC and NJ.com's Steve Politi was the messenger of the empty stands. To honor the Trojans fan base, there was the first game of the World Series between the Dodgers and New York Yankees, concerts and Lakers/Clippers games happening simultaneously.

USC hasn't exactly won many fans with a 3-4 start to the season. Rutgers' good 4-0 start has faded with three straight losses. Politi might have politely explained the lack of a crowd, but a quality product would have fans in the stands.

“There is no one here, but in fairness there are other sporting events in the city tonight,” Politi tweeted.

68,110 fans could fit in this stadium, and they will fill it for several different teams, a team press release said.

“The USC football games against Wisconsin on September 28 and Nebraska on November 16 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum are officially sold out,” the press release said. “USC’s last two home blowouts came in 2023 against No. 5 Washington and UCLA.

“USC boasted outstanding attendance at its home opener on September 7 against Utah State. With 68,110 fans in the Coliseum, it was the largest crowd for a home opener since 2015. Additionally, the Utah State game posted the best attendance for a non-conference/non-Notre Dame game since the Trojans hosted Texas before a sellout Audience in 2017.”

After LSU's win, the excitement grew so strong that it was tied at the box office with Utah State in town. But fans from Wisconsin and Nebraska travel. These games may not be games the Trojans can brag about from a spectator perspective.

USC legend Matt Leinart responds to the pitiful crowd with two words

When 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart can't hide his disappointment, you know USC legends feel disrespected in the fan base's current output.

Leinart had two words to convey a powerful message.

“This is sad,” he tweeted.

With Lincoln Riley's future secured by his massive possible acquisition but fans given little hope in the meantime, USC looks set to be in a more competitive Big Ten than the Pac-12 they left for years Endure malaise.

If Trojans fans don't show up and spend money, USC may not be able to buy out Riley if they want to.