NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Only two snaps into the first Kentucky drive of the game last Saturday, senior captain Jaylen Mahoney, Vanderbilt’s starting safety, was ejected from the game on the grounds of targeting. That is when John Howse IV’s number was called.
“It’s just next man up,” said Howse IV after the game. “You have to be ready at all times and do your job. Do your one in eleven. Next man up mentality, so I was ready.”
No stranger to big moments, the Nashville, Tennessee, native guided Brentwood High School to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division I Class 6A state championship game for just the second time in school history.
He relied on that experience while appearing in 78 plays on Saturday between defense and special teams. The highlight came when Howse IV recorded the first interception of his career.
INTERCEPTION! pic.twitter.com/kLZjGvSNzy
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 23, 2023
“It was just man to man, and you got to play the ball well,” said Howse IV on the interception. “You got to be on your man, be on the body. See ball, get ball. When you see the ball you make the play.”
In his first career start, Marlen Sewell also made a big impact on the defensive unit. Earning the starting spot with De’Rickey Wright out due to injury.
“All week I was training to be the starter, we all prepared the same,” said Sewell. “We come in every day of the week and get to work so we were prepared for the moment. We all play as if we are going to be the starter, anything could happen at any moment, as we saw in the Kentucky game so we just continue and train as one.”
Sewell posted a career-best nine tackles in Saturday’s game against Kentucky, leading the team.
“We teach ourselves that we are going to be the starters every week,” said Sewell. “So, every day, me and John [Howse IV] train as if we are going to be the starters every week so no matter who plays, that’s how we come in every week.”
🛑🛑🛑 pic.twitter.com/GZZbtZgba6
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 23, 2023
The junior saw the field for a season-high 68 plays in Saturday’s game against Kentucky, after seeing just 47 plays through the first three games of the season.
Despite seeing more action in the past two games, Sewell understands that there is always room for improvement. “I’m always looking for improvement, there is nothing I consider perfect,” said Sewell of his performance so far this season. “I come in every day with the mindset to earn it every day and get better.”
The defensive unit posted 53 tackles, including three for loss (10 yards), two interceptions and one forced fumble.
“We did well,” said Howse IV of the defense’s performance. “We played structured, that’s what it comes down to. Being structured, fitting your gaps, playing the ball on the deep ball.”
“We played two safeties who weren’t in the rotation earlier in the season,” said head coach Clark Lea. “Those guys both stepped up and I’m really proud of Marlo [Sewell] and Howse.
