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Alabama coach Nick Saban was called up for unsportsmanlike conduct in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 31-14 Rose Bowl win over Notre Dame.
Saban explained the penalty after the game but noted that this was the first time he had been called up for it.
“I was on the pitch about two paces away because I was yelling at one of our linebackers who didn’t go in the right direction,” he said. “Which I have been doing most of my career. It wasn’t at a live ball. I guess technically you’re not supposed to do this.
“Look, I’m not criticizing anyone and I’m not complaining. I’m just saying I’ve been a head coach for about 20 years and never been called in for it. But I got called today and will have to do better next time.
While Saban may not have been penalized specifically for this reason, he received an unsportsmanlike conduct sanction as recent as in a 2019 game against Duke.
The 15-yard penalty in Friday’s game came after an incomplete pass from Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book and advanced the ball to the Alabama 25-yard line. This record ended up with a touchdown by Book.
The match was run by a Big Ten crew led by referee John O’Neill. That crew didn’t throw any flags until the start of the third quarter, but Alabama finished with six penalties for 59 yards while Notre Dame was called three times for 25 yards.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama Beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.
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