Fight on, Trojans!: Tales of a Mancunian Lost in the City of Angels

By David Sustana, University of Southern California, United States

Hey from Southern California! Just wanted to update everyone on a really fun weekend that I had at USC.

Today was the day of the big, annual rivalry (American!) football game between arch-rivals USC (go Trojans!) and UCLA (boo Bruins!). And let me tell you, the energy on and around campus was electric. I’d say it rivals (or, dare I say, surpasses) that of a Man City versus Man United game.

But there are some pretty big differences between an English football game and an American college football game.

I guess you have to start with the tailgates. I woke up, got dressed in my Trojan gear, and walked from my apartment to one of the litany of tailgates on and off campus.

If you’re wondering what a tailgate is, the strict definition on Google is simply a meal (probably prepared with a charcoal grill) hosted out of the back of someone’s vehicle in the car park of a stadium. But its de facto usage is to describe various types of parties that people throw in the hours leading up to the game itself.

They can be off-campus, at fraternities, or on-campus. The one my roommates and I were going to was the on-campus one, which is really just a conglomeration of hundreds (possibly even thousands) of small groups bringing grills, games, and tents onto campus to party and celebrate before the game.

And it’s a very diverse group. There were tailgates for campus societies, alumni, and huge families all having a good time. You even get some Bruins coming all the way over from West Hollywood to claim their spot and pitch a tent (albeit in a somewhat distanced section of campus).

Anyway, my roommates and I had a great time with some friends at their tailgate, and I have to say, it’s so weird to see people grilling steaks and playing party games right outside the buildings I’m normally rushing to in order to get to class. Everything is just so laid back during a tailgate. You have to go if you’re in Southern California and there’s a big game going on.

Once the game is about an hour away, people tend to start packing up and migrating to the LA Memorial Coliseum directly south of campus, home of USC Trojan football. I will say, do not underestimate the amount of time it actually takes to get there! Between the streets you have to cross, the crowds you have to get through, and the lines you’ll have to wait in, it could be a half-hour ordeal. And make sure to bring sealed containers if you want to take water in with you. They’ll make you throw away anything that’s open, and the prices once you get inside are absurd. Talk about a captive audience.

Once you’re in the stadium, you can really appreciate how big it is. My roommates and I scoped out a few seats on the north side of the stadium (you can sit anywhere you want that’s available) and settled in. Be sure to bring sunglasses, a hat, and some sunblock, if you think you’ll need it. There’s no shade from the sun, and American football games tend to go on much longer than English ones because they stop the clock for every play. So a one-hour American football game tends to be much longer than a 90-minute English football game, ironically.

Unfortunately, due to some likely ball-deflating by the Bruins (kidding!), we Trojans did not secure the victory this time. But there were still some highlights from the game.

First of all, fellow Trojan Olivia Rodrigo came to watch from the sidelines! I was stunned.

And of course, even if there’s not any action happening on the ground, you get to stare at the Goodyear blimp hovering above the stadium all day to record live footage for the sports channels. Did you know there are literally only 25 blimps in existence in the entire world?

I could tell on my way back to our apartment from the stadium that the mood had shifted. People seemed to be quieter and less rowdy, but everyone was still wearing their USC gear with pride.

But that just means the win will be even more satisfying at next year’s game!