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

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

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

“It's about doing what you're capable of and not trying to do more,” DeBoer told the Crimson Tide Sports Network at halftime. “Just make the simple plays. …Obviously a few balls aren't going to bounce your way. All you have to do is line up and go play. We have to make a few stops.

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

The Commodores played 40 plays and had the ball for 21:38 minutes in the first half.

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

“A good ride,” DeBoer said. “We had some nice ones. Obviously sales were really crucial. They will shorten the game and have limited opportunities for possession. We get the ball in the second half, so we can catch up a bit here.”

Vanderbilt defeated Alabama 186-157.

“We have to take away the inside run first so the rest of the option play doesn’t work,” DeBoer added.

The Tide gets the kickoff to start the second half.

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