The thousands are a perspective...
As in the thousand persons, and the the thousands that wont freaking show up even they purchase the seat, had it all year, but also never attend a single game.
It also also includes thousands of students that never show up for thousands of reserved seats for them but get a count pass, or screw others for newly born seats over previous ticket holders for that awesome thousand count from SU in the cheerleading and student sections.
In all, it myth of thousands, and your just one to fall for it. But we know all amongst ourself the truth of the thousand seats unsold...
It pure hype and crap, as students don't dictate the thousands, fans do, and while the students may make it up as well as sold seats, they are usually completely empty each game. Been there every game, yes the seats are sold but people are not in them. Pure rubbish.
Get over it. Sold seat are bullshit for capacity and actual attendance. The real ones are those that show up and occupy the seats, but the ones in them, and certainly not the count of tickets sold and never CHECKED IN.