At a Glance
- What
USC Trojan Pep Rally featuring the USC Trojan Marching Band and USC Song Leaders
- When
Friday, September 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (completed)
- Where
Father Duffy Square at the Red Steps, Broadway and West 47th Street, Times Square
- Admission
Free and open to USC alumni, fans, friends and the public
- Purpose
A public pep rally before USC opened its 2026 Big Ten schedule against Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey
- Game result
No. 12 USC defeated Rutgers 42–35 on Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Coverage
- Explore coverage
- Details
- What to Know
TheNakedNYC coverage
The USC Trojan Marching Band and USC Song Leaders perform at Father Duffy Square during the September 18 pep rally before USC's game at Rutgers.
What to Know
The Times Square Rally
USC held the rally at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, at Father Duffy Square beside the Red Steps. The USC Trojan Marching Band performed with the USC Song Leaders at Broadway and West 47th Street. The event was free and open to alumni, fans, friends and members of the public.
USC's East Coast Schedule
The rally was one part of USC's Rutgers weekend. The USC Alumni Association held a gathering at Time Out Market Union Square on Thursday, September 17, followed by the Friday rally in Times Square. On Saturday, it organized a free outdoor Trojan Huddle at 656 Bartholomew Road in Piscataway, across from the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center.
The USC Trojan Marching Band
USC calls the Trojan Marching Band the Spirit of Troy. The university lists performances at the Academy Awards, the Hollywood Bowl and the Rose Parade among the band's credits, along with film and television work. The band also recorded the title track of Fleetwood Mac's 1979 album Tusk.
Director Jacob Vogel
Dr. Jacob Vogel became director of the Spirit of Troy in 2021, the first new appointment to the position in more than 50 years. He previously served the program as a teaching assistant, assistant director, associate director and arranger. Vogel is also an associate professor of practice at USC's Thornton School of Music.
The USC Song Leaders
The USC Song Leaders are part of the university's official spirit program. USC says the group prepares more than 30 routines each year and appears at football games, other athletic events, alumni programs and university functions. In Times Square, the Song Leaders performed alongside the marching band during the rally.
USC Beat Rutgers 42–35
No. 12 USC defeated Rutgers 42–35 at SHI Stadium on September 19 to improve to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in Big Ten play. Quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 277 yards and two touchdowns, King Miller rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, and Prophet Brown returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown. USC led throughout the game.
