To illustrate how alarming the total number of penalties were, consider that in 2014, the Panthers were called for 66 penalties for 514 yards, an average of 42.8 yards given up per game. Its opponents were called for 71 penalties for 637 yards, or 53.1 yards per game.

Obviously, playing more one game (the Cure Bowl) increased the total in 2015 compared to 2014. A few guys who stepped into the starting lineup and were inexperienced contributed a few more. Playing more aggressively contributed a few more.

But those errors must be corrected this season until the offense establishes its strengths. It can’t stop itself with silly mistakes like holding or false starts. The defense needs to get off the field and not commit the personal foul penalties that gave offenses new sets of downs a few times last year.

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