Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel Addresses Crowd Noise Allegations
Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel recently responded to claims that the University of Tennessee was artificially augmenting crowd noise during games at Neyland Stadium. This comes after the Volunteers’ recent victory over Alabama, marking their second win against the Crimson Tide in three years.
In a thrilling matchup on October 19, 2024, the Volunteers played in front of an electric crowd that showed overwhelming support, dressed in their signature orange. The atmosphere was intense, with crowd noise recorded at over 120 decibels at various points, undoubtedly contributing to Tennessee’s 24-17 triumph.
However, following the game, Alabama’s radio announcer Chris Stewart alleged that the Vols were using artificial crowd noise. Stewart commented during the broadcast, highlighting the challenges faced by Alabama’s offense, saying, “Second-and-16 is not what you’re looking for, especially with the crowd noise being what it is here. You got 100,000+ and they also pipe in crowd noise, as well.”
When Heupel was questioned about these accusations during a press conference, he responded succinctly, expressing hope that fans would take the claims personally. His brief but pointed reply underscores the pride the program takes in its home-field advantage.
Neyland Stadium is renowned for its atmosphere, and Tennessee has excelled at home, with only one loss since 2021, that being against Georgia. The Crimson Tide have now faced defeat in their last two visits to Knoxville, highlighting the formidable challenge that Neyland Stadium presents to visiting teams.
Looking ahead, Tennessee will host the Kentucky Wildcats on November 2, aiming to maintain their strong home record. The Volunteers continue to build on their legacy, and the support of their passionate fan base plays a critical role in their success on the field.
