Kirk Herbstreit isn’t buying any of the excuses around USC’s home-opener crowd.
On the latest episode of his podcast, Nonstop with Kirk and Joey, ESPN’s lead college football color commentator took aim at the Trojans’ fan turnout after last weekend’s game and made it plain that he expects more from a program he believes will matter in the Big Ten race later this season.
“First of all, USC fans, I don’t care what time the game is,” said Herbstreit. “I don’t care what the deal is, I don’t care how hot it is.
Get your ass to the Coliseum. I mean, that’s embarrassing for USC to play in front of a half-empty stadium, and you’re going to jump on the bandwagon because this team is going to be in the mix for the Big Ten.
They’re going to play in a lot of big games. So let’s get out to the Coliseum and watch this team.”
Herbstreit had already been positive on USC after its Week 0 win against San Jose State, but the empty seats clearly stuck with him. The Trojans’ showing at home drew plenty of attention because only 51,000 fans came out for the 14th ranked team in the country.
That kind of number turned a win into an unwanted storyline. USC avoided any incident on the field and scored 42 points at home, but the crowd size still made the program an easy target. The school’s explanation for the low attendance didn’t help much either, with Paul Finebaum later going on “First Take” and accusing USC of putting out AI generated garbage.
For USC, the next two home dates now carry a little extra weight. Fresno State and Louisiana are up next at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and if the Trojans want to avoid the fair-weather tag hanging around them, they’ll need a much fuller building before ranked opponents start showing up.
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USCs Week 0 Numbers Hint At Something Bigger On Offense
USCs season opener left behind more than a win, it also offered an early statistical snapshot that suggests this offense may already be tracking toward something more dangerous. Jayden Maiavas efficiency stood out right away, with the quarterback setting a completion percentage record in his debut as the starter, while true freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley made his first college game look far less ordinary than most opening nights for an 18-year-old.
There is still plenty to sort out, especially on the other side of the ball, but the broader picture from Week 0 was hard to miss. USC showed up in the national and Big Ten rankings in ways that reflect real production, and the number of true freshmen in the starting lineup only added to the sense that this group is still getting its footing while already flashing a higher ceiling than a typical early-season team. [Read more 🡒]
USC May Have Found A Freshman Lincoln Riley Can Trust Early
USC did not have to wait long to find out what Mark Bowman could offer. The freshman tight end started in the season opener against San Jos State and spent most of his night doing the unglamorous work that helps an offense function, especially as a run blocker. For a player with Bowmans recruiting profile and a high school rsum that drew plenty of attention, the early role says a lot about how quickly he has adapted to the college game.
Landon Tengwall noted Bowmans advanced physical development and the kind of blocking skills that can earn a young player trust fast, and that matters in Lincoln Rileys offense. Bowman also chipped in three catches for 15 yards, but his bigger value may come from what he does before the ball ever reaches him. If USC is going to lean on its ground game early, Bowman already looks like someone the staff is comfortable putting on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Maiava Faces His First Real USC Test In Week 1
Jayden Maiavas first start in the USC offense came with the usual Week 0 caveats, but he still handled San Jose State efficiently enough to give the Trojans confidence heading into a bigger follow-up. He completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, a clean debut that suggested he could settle in quickly while USC tries to build momentum early in the season.
Fresno State brings a different kind of test, even if the Trojans are favored and the matchup carries the feel of a high-scoring game. The Bulldogs have settled on Jayden Mandal as their Week 1 starter despite limited college experience and a history of injuries, which adds another layer of uncertainty to a game USC is expected to control but still needs to manage cleanly. [Read more 🡒]