That is how the 109,000 numbers were reached in the 1990s. Every vendor, security guard, Cop, Honor Guardsman, usher and press member was counted. Now, it is just ticket sales, not turnstile data.
Two side stories within the narrative. I was married on 28 Dec of 85 and we honeymooned with the intent to attend the game. The wife was exhausted by game time and decided she needed to sleep at the hotel. She missed a great game! Secondly, I was privileged to meet Ens Gay at the 40th...
Interesting, for sure, and I will add that the results might not have been as you described in reality as Carroll was on the cusp of the NCAA coming down hard on USC.