USC, Syracuse Are Selected to Play in College Football Season Opener

USC will become the first Pacific 10 Conference representative to play in the college football season opener when the Trojans meet Syracuse in the Kickoff Classic at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., next summer.

The game is scheduled for the last week in August, but the exact date has not been announced.

“It’s not often that USC plays on the East Coast, so we’re excited about that,” USC Coach Larry Smith said. “It’s an attractive matchup and will provide good exposure for us. I know that all our players and coaches are looking forward to the game.”

Both schools, which were selected by a committee, are also looking forward to the proceeds. Each is guaranteed $550,000.

USC has won eight national championships and appeared in 33 bowl games, a mark surpassed only by Alabama. Syracuse, which won its last national championship in 1959, made its third consecutive bowl appearance last season, beating Georgia in the Peach Bowl.