Sports

Kentucky Football Player Challenges Legitimacy Of Neyland Stadium Claim With Accusation Of Fake Crowd Noise

by Last Updated

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Mikkel Skinner accused Tennessee of using fake crowd noise in Neyland Stadium.


The Kentucky football team was beaten soundly by SEC rival Tennessee on Saturday night in Knoxville. Wildcats tight end Mikkel Skinner admitted that Neyland Stadium was loud.

He does not believe fans were solely responsible for the noise levels. They (allegedly) had some help.

Skinner accused the Vols of pumping fake crowd noise into the stadium through loudspeakers when Kentucky was on offense. In doing so, he challenged one of the program’s biggest claims to fame.

Neyland Stadium is the loudest venue in college football.

Neyland Stadium is widely known as one of the most intimidating venues in America. Fans take immense pride in their ability to influence the action. No stadium is louder.

Earlier this year, decibel levels were clocked at 130.3 for a game vs. Alabama. It is the highest verified noise record in the sport’s history.

It can have a direct impact on opposing visitors. Tennessee foes have committed a dozen false starts across six home games in 2026. That does not take into account other pre-snap penalties, which have also been seen. Crowd noise plays a factor in communication at the line of scrimmage.

Neyland Stadium houses nearly 102,000 fans. It is the sixth-largest venue in terms of capacity nationally.

Kentucky heard just how loud the building can get when the fanbase is cheering in unison. The Wildcats were beaten convincingly, 34-6. The crowd really got into it in the second half as the Vols began to pull away.

One player believes the fans got some help in creating an unsettling environment.

Mikkel Skinner accuses Tennessee of pumping fake crowd noise.

Skinner hauled in two catches for six yards in the loss on Saturday. After the game, he took to social media to diminish the atmosphere in Neyland Stadium.

He accused the Vols of pumping fake crowd noise into the venue on key third downs.

“It was loud, but I started peeping what Tennessee was doing,” Skinner said. “When Tennessee scored on offense, the fans weren’t nearly as loud, but when we were on third down, it was loud because the speakers were pumping fake crowd noise… It’s not real. If it was real, I’d respect it.”

Skinner questioned the legitimacy of atmosphere. It challenges Tennessee’s claim as having the loudest fans in the sport.

Does he have a point or is it rivalry salt?

Others around the conference have been accused of doing the same. It is certainly something that happens, and in some instances, is even encouraged.

I’ve never been to Neyland Stadium, though it’s a trip I’d put on my bucket list. If you have attended a game in person, feel free to chime in on Skinner’s comments below.