Will Stein isn’t easing into his first big SEC moment. He’s leaning all the way in.
The Kentucky head coach went on Kentucky Sports Radio Thursday morning and pushed his message again ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Alabama, saying he wants Big Blue Nation to turn the game into “the loudest in the history of the world.” Stein also urged fans to get to their seats early and bring the noise.
“I want them in there 45-30 minutes before, standing up, screaming obscenities at our opponent, making them feel very unwanted…"
He added another line that made the pitch even more memorable: “sneak a flask in.”
Kentucky has beaten Alabama only twice on the football field, with the first win coming in 1922, 6-0, and the second arriving in 1997, a 40-34 overtime upset. Stein is clearly hoping for No. 3 this weekend, and he’s trying to create the kind of atmosphere that can help make it happen.
The Wildcats opened Stein’s tenure with a convincing 45-13 win over Youngstown State in Week 1, piling up 506 total yards. Kenny Minchey was sharp in the debut, throwing for 301 yards and four touchdowns while finding nine different receivers.
Alabama answered its opener with plenty of offense too, rolling past East Carolina 48-10 behind quarterback Keelon Russell, who helped the Tide produce 487 total yards.
With both teams combining for nearly 1,000 yards in Week 1, Saturday has the look of a high-scoring game on paper. Kentucky and Alabama kick off at 3:30 p.m. E.T. on ABC.
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For players like edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre, the value goes beyond technique or scheme. Pierre has pointed to Robinsons willingness to dive into film with his group and to stay engaged with them away from football, a combination that has helped build trust inside the room. In a program that has to keep developing pass rushers, that kind of coaching presence is part of why Alabama keeps leaning on him. [Read more 🡒]