Kalen DeBoer didn’t want to classify Alabama football’s performance vs. South Florida with a cliché.

After the Crimson Tide struggled mightily at times against the Bulls with penalties, turnovers and just ugly football, DeBoer declined to classify it how many coaches might.

“This isn’t a wakeup call or anything like that,” DeBoer said. “It’s just keep raising the standard.”

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

After USF kicked a 22-yard field goal with 6:45 left in the game, Alabama held only a 21-16 lead.

Then the Crimson Tide went on to score three touchdowns over the final six minutes.

Alabama had three second-half turnovers to go with 13 penalties on the game. The offensive line contributed nine of them. Two holding calls brought back touchdowns.

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

“In the fourth quarter, staying away from the penalties and turnovers,” DeBoer said, “it’s amazing what can happen.”

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

“Got a lot of things we’ve got to clean up,” DeBoer said. “Guys have got to do a better job when they make a big play to tuck it away. All things we work on. All things we discuss. Going to be a lot to learn from. Excited about the challenge. The opportunity. That’s what it is.”

Not a wakeup call.

DeBoer said he thinks you need a game like this.

“I think this game last year was an important one that propelled them last year,” DeBoer said. “It will probably be the same thing this year. That’s what I’d hope.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.