Kalen DeBoer was quick to point out the issue after No. 7 Alabama took a 7-0 lead at No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium: Wasted plays.

The Alabama coach saw his defense force three Volunteers turnovers, but his Tide also commit 10 penalties for 73 yards in the first half.

“The defense has done a nice job of takeaways,” DeBoer told the Crimson Tide Sports Network at halftime. “We can’t waste a play. We had a first down, and the whistle gets blown. I don’t care what the excuses are we have to get set, and, somehow we all have to be in sync, OK? And there is something different every play.

“We can’t waste these plays. Those are the ones costing us drives.”

Nico Iamaleava and Gaston Moore – who threw a pass on the one play he came if for Iamaleava – each threw an interception, while Dylan Sampson fumbled in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, DeBoer did admit the Neyland Stadium crowd has impacted his team.

“We’ve had some plays that we are losing,” he told ABC at halftime. “We’re not taking advantage of our opportunities. You have to say it has affected us some.

“We have times we get into a rhythm and it’s good, but, obviously, we lost a down.”

Alabama will kick to Tennessee to start the second half.

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.