Halftime message from Kalen DeBoer as Alabama trails Vanderbilt

Kalen DeBoer was cool, calm and collected at halftime, despite his No. 1 Alabama trailing Vanderbilt in Nashville 23-4.

The Alabama coach saw his offense on the field for just 8:32.

So what’s his message to a team coming off a thrilling 41-34 victory over then-No. 1 Georgia?

“It’s about doing what you’re capable of, don’t try to do anything else,” DeBoer told the Crimson Tide Sports Network at halftime. “Just make simple plays. …Obviously, a few balls won’t bounce in your direction. Just line up and go play. We have to make a few stops.

Jalen Milroe’s pass was intercepted by Randon Fontenette, who returned it for a touchdown and gave the Commodores a 13-0 lead with 8:03 left in the first quarter.

The Commodores ran 40 plays and had the ball for 21:38 of the first half.

The Tide cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 23-14 with a 9-play, 83-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard run by Jam Miller with 1:25 left in the half.

“Good practice,” DeBoer said. “We had some great ones. Obviously, turnover has been really critical. They will shorten the game and have limited possessions. We get the ball back in the second half, so we can get a little closer here.

Vanderbilt defeated Alabama 186-157.

“We need to take out the inside run first, so the rest of the option set doesn’t open up,” DeBoer added.

The Tide will get the second half kickoff.

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 on mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily.