UCLA legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman criticized the low attendance at Rose Bowl games this season, calling it "embarrassing" for the unbeaten Bruins program.
Despite an 8-0 start under first-year coach Bob Chesney, UCLA has struggled to draw fans. Aikman noted that only 20,000 to 25,000 fans attended the Oct. 31 home game against Nevada, a season-low of 24,611, in a stadium that holds over 100,000.
"If 7-0 doesn't get them excited, what will?" Aikman said on 96.7 The Ticket. He expressed uncertainty about how to generate more buzz in Los Angeles.
Chesney acknowledged the attendance issues, urging the campus community to engage more with the team. The Bruins have continued winning despite losing quarterback Nico Iamaleava to a season-ending injury, relying on Ty Dieffenbach and Wayne Knight on offense and a top-ranked defense.
UCLA hosts Illinois on Friday at the Rose Bowl before traveling to Michigan on Nov. 21. The rivalry game against USC on Nov. 28 is expected to draw a full stadium given its Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications.
According to USA Today, FBS home game attendance on Halloween was 8.8% lower than season averages, with Duke and Stanford the only other Power Four programs filling less than 50% of capacity.
