It was written all over Nick Saban’s face with just more than two minutes left in the first half.

But, in case, you didn’t get the message, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear at halftime of Alabama’s game with South Florida, yellow flags have been the Tide’s biggest hurdle.

“It’s all penalties,” DeBoer said about the Tide’s offensive woes in the first half. “We’re putting ourselves in tough spots with the holding calls, so we have to do a better job of, obviously, playing the game the way it is supposed to be played. And not putting ourselves in long down and distances where they can tee off.”

The Tide was flagged eight times for 60 yards in the first. Perhaps none bigger than a Wilkin Formby holding call on what would have been a 74-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Milroe with 2:30 left in the first half.

Alabama, instead, led South Florida 14-6 in a game where the Bulls have more offense (158 yards to 137 yards) than the Tide.

“We just have to pay attention to our discipline and our rules,” DeBoer said. “Do better job running to the football and tackling.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.