Kalen DeBoer didn’t want to cast Alabama football’s performance against South Florida in a cliché.

After the Crimson Tide struggled at times against the Bulls with penalties, fouls and just plain ugly football, DeBoer declined to say how many coaches would do that.

“This isn’t a wake-up call or anything,” DeBoer said. “It’s just continuing to raise the standard.”

No. 4 Alabama defeated South Florida 42-16 on Saturday at Saban Field in Bryant-Denny Stadium. But the final score isn’t all that indicative of the mess that followed for three and a half quarters.

After USF scored a 22-yard field goal with 6:45 left, Alabama was down to a 21-16 lead.

The Crimson Tide then scored three more touchdowns in the final six minutes.

Alabama had three turnovers in the second half and 13 penalties in the game. The offensive line contributed nine. Two holding calls returned touchdowns.

DeBoer said he talked in the locker room about learning lessons from things that didn’t go well. But he also wanted his players to understand that if they keep fighting, good things will happen.

“In the fourth quarter, if you stay away from the penalties and fouls,” DeBoer said, “it’s amazing what can happen.”

Alabama takes a 42-16 lead. That’s what happens. The defense held strong enough while the offense stumbled. And the Crimson Tide held on.