Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt addresses low USC home opener attendance
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 8:48 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt attributed the sparse attendance at the USC home opener against the San Jose State Spartans to the local climate. Images of the mostly empty Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum circulated on social media following the game, which featured a 94-degree kickoff temperature. Klatt characterized Southern California residents as unaccustomed to extreme weather, noting that temperatures exceeding 90 degrees deter fans from attending outdoor events. USC’s athletic department issued a formal statement acknowledging the attendance concerns and expressed a desire for a more electric atmosphere at future games. The program expects a larger crowd for the upcoming matchup against the Fresno State Bulldogs. The team previously cited various factors for the turnout, including the early-season schedule and the specific kickoff time.
- •Images of an empty stadium during the USC home opener went viral on social media.
- •Kickoff temperatures at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum reached 94 degrees.
- •Joel Klatt attributed the low attendance to Southern California residents avoiding uncomfortable weather conditions.
- •USC issued a statement acknowledging the attendance issue and expressing a need for a better atmosphere.
- •USC faces the Fresno State Bulldogs in their next home game.
- 8:48 PMYahoo Sports — ‘We in Southern California are soft’: Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt admits
"Over the weekend, images went viral on social media showing a mostly empty stadium for the USC Trojans’ home opener against the San Jose State Spartans. The attendance was so poor that USC’s athletic department even felt the need to issue a statement. Now, Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt is explaining the issue with the attendance…
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