TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The clock was running down and the University of Alabama was putting the finishing touches on a 35-17 season-opening victory against No. 20 Wisconsin on Saturday night, when Nick Saban didn’t like what he saw from the defense.
His team had scored three touchdowns while yielding just a field goal in the second half until the Badgers pieced together a late seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive against the Crimson Tide’s reserves.
Although the game was still out of reach, Saban sent a message to all of his players by reinserting the first unit for Wisconsin’s final possession, with 1:12 to go.