The Tennessee Volunteers undoubtedly got some help from the home crowd at Neyland Stadium during Saturday’s victory over Alabama.
But according to one Alabama radio announcer, those efforts may have also been artificially enhanced.
“Second-and-16 is not what you’re looking for, especially with the noise level being what it is here,” Crimson Tide Sports Network announcer Chris Stewart said following a false start call on Alabama during the first quarterback of Saturday’s broadcast. “You’ve got 100,000-plus and they also pipe in crowd noise as well.”
“They also pipe in crowd noise, as well.”
Suuuuurrrreeeeee. pic.twitter.com/c6pyTistyP
— Rob Harvey (@RobMHarvey) October 21, 2024
While Stewart didn’t offer any proof, he did get an endorsement from former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron.
“100% they do,” McCarron wrote in a reply to a social media post regarding the allegation.
100% they do
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) October 21, 2024
Artificially or authentically, the sellout crowd of 101,915 fans at Neyland Stadium certainly aided the Volunteers’ efforts, with the Crimson Tide getting called for 15 penalties, including three false starts, in Tennessee’s 24-17 victory. Following the game, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was quick to credit Vols fans, referring to them as “one of the greatest crowds in the country.”
As for the allegations of Tennessee pumping in fake crowd noise, a school spokesperson denied the claim to the Knoxville News Sentinel‘s Mike Wilson, while UT athletic director Danny White took to social media to issue a response of his own.
“No, we don’t!” White said of the allegation that Neyland Stadium pumps in crowd noise. “Just 100K+ beautiful, booming, Big Orange voices!”
No, we don’t! Just 100K+ beautiful, booming, Big Orange voices! #GBO 🍊 https://t.co/ygDuwTUrBI
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) October 21, 2024
Obviously, if Tennessee was pumping in crowd noise — which would be a violation of NCAA rules — that would be a major story. But at this point, there isn’t any reason to believe that Stewart’s claim is anything more than a matter of sour grapes, especially considering Neyland Stadium’s previous reputation as one of the SEC’s most raucous environments.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.