Allegiant Stadium will be packed for one of college football’s top games in Week 1.
The Vegas Kickoff Classic between No. 13 Louisiana State and No. 23 Southern California on Sept. 1 is sold out, ESPN announced Monday.
The 65,000-seat stadium will host USC’s first game as a member of the Big Ten. The Trojans – along with Oregon, Washington and UCLA – joined the conference on Aug. 1 after leaving the Pac-12.
USC won five national championships with the Pac-8, Pac-10 and Pac-12 during its 55-year career.
“These are two historic national programs opening their seasons in (Las Vegas),” John Saccenti, the game’s executive director, said in a statement. “Let it be written as another great chapter in our city’s glorious history of memorable events.”
The Trojans finished 8-5 last season under Lincoln Riley, who is entering his third season as coach. The Tigers finished 10-3 under coach Brian Kelly, also in his third season.
The teams will replace star quarterbacks who were the first two picks in the NFL Draft and won the last two Heisman Trophies. Caleb Williams (No. 1, Chicago) won the 2022 Heisman with USC and Jayden Daniels (No. 2, Washington) won it last season with LSU.
Former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava will return to Allegiant Stadium with the Trojans after entering the transfer portal on Jan. 3. He led the Rebels to a 9-5 record and an appearance in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl last season.
Maiava is listed as a replacement for Junior Miller Moss.
Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
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WHO: No. 13 Louisiana State vs. No. 23 Southern California
What: Vegas Kickoff Classic
When: 4:30 p.m., September 1
Where: Allegiant Stadium
TV: ABC
Line: LSU -6.5; total 63.5
