Kalen DeBoer described his first half of football as the Alabama coach as “great,” after the Crimson Tide was leading Western Kentucky 42-0 headed to the locker room as Nick Saban looks on.

“It was great,” DeBoer told the Crimson Tide Sports Network. “Proud of the guys. “Got some nice defensive takeaways there early, getting some stops in the red zone.

“Proud of the way the guys bowed up, making it hard on the opponents.

Jalen Milroe completed 4 of 6 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns. Two were to freshman Ryan Williams, who hauled in both passes thrown to him for 139 yards.

He did, however, point to areas that need improvement, citing communication on offense and substitutions. More specifically, according to ESPN, the communication between quarterback and center.

“For the most part, I love the way the guys are playing,” he said. “Playing hard. Playing for each other. Playing fast. Making plays.”

The Tide amassed 354 yards of offense in the first half on just 20 plays, an average of more than 17 yards per play.

Meanwhile, the defense has held Western Kentucky to just 131 yards, and quarterback TJ Finley has thrown two interceptions, both to Alabama’s Keon Sabb.

Alabama will receive the second-half kickoff. Follow AL.com’s coverage.

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.