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Will Stein encourages Kentucky football fans to get drunk and cuss.
Will Stein will coach his first SEC game this Saturday when the Kentucky football program hosts Alabama. The head coach wants fans to be loud, proud, and mildly inebriated.
Stein does not want the environment to be welcoming for the Crimson Tide. He’s begging for an intimidating atmosphere in Lexington.
The Wildcats are coming off an impressive win over Youngstown State in Week 1. They hope the momentum continues into Week 2.
The home team will be a two-score underdog when it takes the field on Saturday. Stein believes the crowd noise can spark an upset by rattling a rival that’s inexperienced in a few key areas.
Will Stein wants Kentucky football fans drunk and loud.
Will Stein just said he wants UK fans yelling obscenities at Alabama and making them feel uncomfortable.
Now he’s telling folks to sneak flasks in…
It’s gonna be a loud and drunk crowd Saturday.
Oh boy.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) September 10, 2026
The Wildcats have struggled throughout their history to compete with Alabama, going just 2-39-1 across 42 all-time contests. Will Stein hopes to turn the tides, but he needs the home crowd behind him.
“I want them in there 45 to 30 minutes before, in their seat, standing up, screaming obscenities at our opponent, making them feel very unwanted in Kroger Field and creating an environment of excellence for Kentucky football,” the coach said ahead of the Alabama matchup.
“Sneak a flask in! Sneak a flask in. Again, do whatever you got to do, right? Get your drinks ready. Sit in your chair, all right, and start cheering. And then once you’re done with the drink, go back in as fast as you can, and come right back out.”
The game should be sold out. It is the SEC opener for both squads. Fans could have a direct impact.
Keelon Russell is starting his first road game.
The Alabama quarterback shined in his debut, racking up 256 passing yards in a 48-10 win. He added another 86 on the ground to go along with a rushing touchdown.
That performance came in the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium. He now has to deal with 60,000 screaming Wildcats.
Crowd noise can create communication issues, especially with inexperience under center. This will be the most intimidating atmosphere Russell has faced as a college signal caller.
The passer is not the only youngster in the lineup. Ryan Coleman-Williams is just 19, though he’s played two seasons. Two starters on the o-line are underclassmen. Running backs Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell are freshmen.
The Crimson Tide committed six penalties in a Week 1 win over East Carolina last Saturday, one of which wiped out a 68-yard touchdown. Will Stein believes Kentucky can force a few more with a rowdy environment.
If the Wildcats can keep it close, the crowd noise will affect the game. If things get ugly early as they have in the past, we’ll see a lot of sad, overserved fans stumbling back to the tailgate.