USC and UCLA to Join FOX’s Friday Night Football Lineup

USC and UCLA are set to shift their football schedules, moving one game to Friday nights on FOX. The Trojans will kick off against Fresno State at the Coliseum on Friday, September 4, at 6 PM PT, just days after they start the season against San Jose State at home on August 29.

Meanwhile, UCLA will face Illinois at the Rose Bowl on Friday, November 13, starting at 6 PM PT.

The Trojans’ matchup with Fresno State carries some history, as it will see them face Bulldogs coach Matt Entz, a former Trojan assistant. Historically, USC holds a strong record against teams from the Mountain West Conference, having an impressive 37 wins, one loss, and one tie, excluding two victories that were nullified due to NCAA penalties. The Trojans also boast a 4-1 record against Fresno State, with one victory, once again, canceled due to NCAA issues.

This season, USC’s schedule is notably home-heavy, featuring seven games at the Coliseum. Besides Fresno State, the Trojans will also play non-conference games against San Jose State and Louisiana State, before facing Big Ten rivals like Oregon State, Washington State, Ohio State, and Maryland.

In a parallel note, the University of Illinois will take on UCLA for the first time at the Rose Bowl since a 2011 matchup, where Illinois came out on top with a score of 20-14. The last time they clashed in Pasadena was in 2003, with UCLA winning that contest 6-3.

UCLA’s schedule will include seven home games this season, starting with a non-conference game against San Diego State on September 12. They’ll also host Nevada on October 31, and face Big Ten opponents like Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and USC as well.