Tide Players Say Noise Helps

All year prior to home games, Alabama coach Nick Saban has exhorted fans to be loud and proud at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He's done it on the radio, at press conferences, and even at his $99/plate "Nick at Noon" luncheons benefitting Nick's Kids.

Now, Saban has his players blowing that same horn. All three Tide leaders who met the media Tuesday on Halloween agreed: there is a need for another scary crowd Saturday against LSU, much like 1he 101K who caused several pre-snap penalties killing Tennessee drives 10 days ago.

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"Crowd noise definitely plays an extreme part into the game," right tackle JC Latham said. "That was the loudest I think I've heard Bryant-Denny get [vs. Tennessee]. I loved it. They got two false-start penalties.

"When Jihaad [Campbell] scored that touchdown I was insane. Just having the crowd behind you definitely adds momentum for the defense, because you know that the offense, when they're out there, just creates a lot of confusion, a lot of stuff going on.

"Sometimes the offense can't communicate with one another so they can't be all in tune and get ready to go. And then when the offense is out there we know we got the home fans behind us so we're all playing as one and it's a great feeling."

Added newly-named Thorpe Award finalist Kool-Aid McKinstry: "I’m very excited how they were here against Tennessee. I feel like we need the same amount of energy, if not more, for this game.

"We need the fans to be there. We’re very excited to have the fans at our game, and we want to make the game as hard as we can and make it to our advantage that we have a crowd here that’s on our side."

Edge rusher/NFL prospect Chris Braswell heartily agreed with his teammates about the need for noise at the right times  [when LSU has the ball] Saturday night.

"It was very loud at Bryant-Denny [against Tennessee], probably the loudest I’ve seen this year," Braswell said. "They do a tremendous job making noise and we’ll definitely need that again this week."

The Tide and Tigers tee it up at 6:45 p.m. CT Saturday.