USC’s game against Stanford is a sellout

Early in the season, USC appeared on track to possibly finish its home schedule without playing before a sold-out crowd at the Coliseum.

The Trojans’ recent play under interim Coach Ed Orgeron has changed that.

USC’s game against fifth-ranked Stanford is a sellout, the school announced Thursday.

Capacity at the Coliseum is 93,607.

“When they walk out and see a sellout crowd, it puts a little extra pep in their step,” Orgeron said of his players. “It gives us some pride. It’s the way Trojan football ought to be.”

USC has won four of five games under Orgeron, including the last three, to improve to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in Pac-12 play.

USC has played before at least one sold-out home crowd in all but one season since 2002. The Trojans did not draw a capacity crowd in 2010. The 2004-2008 teams and the 2011 team played before multiple capacity crowds.

Last season, the Trojans sold out three home games, including the regular-season finale against top-ranked Notre Dame.

USC has averaged announced crowds of 66,448 for five home games this season, which ranks 27th nationally.

USC players said this week they were looking forward to playing in a full Coliseum on Saturday. Orgeron has shown them film of players in games from the Pete Carroll era, and the crowd shots are not lost on the Trojans.

“You see the TV copies and there’s not one empty seat,” said quarterback Cody Kessler. “We want people to get excited for USC football like that again.”

USC played Stanford before a sold-out crowd at the Coliseum in 2011. The Cardinal won, 56-48, in triple overtime.

Orgeron said the Trojans appeared ready for the latest challenge Saturday.

“The guys have a different look in their eye this week,” he said. “I hear them talking. There’s a little different vibe around.

“They have a lot of respect for Stanford, but they understand the task at hand, and we’re up for it.”

Quick hits

Tailback Silas Redd (knee) will not play Saturday, Orgeron said. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams (shoulder), tailback Tre Madden (hamstring) and tight ends Xavier Grimble (ankle) and Randall Telfer (knee) are probable...Former USC All-American receiver Keyshawn Johnson attended practice.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein