The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The NCAA has rejected Southern California’s appeal to reduce the sanctions imposed last year on its storied football program, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the NCAA isn’t expected to announce its decision on the Trojans’ penalties until Thursday.

The Trojans have been told they must serve the second year of a two-year postseason ban, making them ineligible for the first Pac-12 title game this fall. USC also will lose 30 scholarships over the next three years in some of the harshest sanctions leveled against an NCAA football program in a quarter-century.

USC spokesman Tim Tessalone confirmed the school has received a response from the NCAA on its appeal, but NCAA rules prevent USC from commenting on the decision until its release Thursday.

Since 2008, only one appeal of NCAA sanctions has been successful.