USC coach Lincoln Riley addresses criticism about the crowd at the Trojans’ home opener. Riley says the negative comments are coming from people who have not attended games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
In statements reported by both outlets, Riley defends the turnout by comparing current reactions to what spectators and atmosphere are like at the venue over time. The accounts focus on his response to public scrutiny rather than providing new attendance figures or detailed polling of fan attendance. While one headline highlights the “season opener crowd” controversy, both sources present the same central point: Riley dismisses the criticism as not grounded in personal experience at the Coliseum.
Neither report attributes specific motives to the critics or details any organizational changes related to attendance. The coverage remains centered on Riley’s remarks and the broader discussion about fan presence for USC’s early-season home game.
