UCLA Football Attendance Reaches Over 81,000 Vs. Arizona

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Partially due to the decline of UCLA football and largely due to the culture of Southern California football in general, the Rose Bowl hardly gets filled during a UCLA game unless it’s for a rivalry game with USC.

The Bruins’ win over Arizona, though, broke that trend, earning UCLA’s highest attendance this season, with 81,673 coming through to see the Bruins destroy Arizona 66-10. Check it, from UCLA Gameday:

Thanks to the 81,673 fans in attendance today! #GoBruins

— UCLA Gameday (@UCLAGameday) November 4, 2012

Of course, it must be noted that the Arizona fans were hardly noticeable; it’s not like UA fans travel well and it showed in this game when the emptiest section at the Rose Bowl was the section allotted for Arizona students and fans.

The fact is, UCLA has clearly gotten the attention of Los Angeles football fans after the Bruins earned a No. 25 ranking in the Associated Press poll, although a part of the reason that attendance was so high was due to Arizona also being ranked after beating SC in Tucson last weekend.

As UCLA Gameday notes, this attendance is somewhat rare, with the contest seeing the biggest crowd since 2008 against USC:

Tonight’s crowd is the biggest home crowd since the 2008 USC game that drew 87,790 and the biggest non-USC crowd since 2007 vs. Cal (83,494)

— UCLA Gameday (@UCLAGameday) November 4, 2012

Clearly, UCLA’s recent success has prompted fans to take notice and attend the games.