A season-long penalties problem proved to be most costly at the end of Alabama’s regular season last year, in its final possession of a loss to Auburn. Fifteen penalty yards slowed progress on a drive that ultimately ended with a missed field goal attempt on the 11-yard line.
The field goal could have tied the game; without the penalty yardage, there could have been a game-winning touchdown.
Barring a pandemic-required schedule change, Tuesday brings UA 95 days away from its 2020 season opener against Southern California. It will be the team’s first chance to improve on a 95-penalty 2019 season that proved both costly and historic.