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The UH defense’s ‘next man up mentality’

Senior defensive lineman David Anenih joked that his teammate Derek Parish owes him lunch after the Cougars 56-21 win over USF Saturday afternoon at TDECU Stadium.

Midway through the third quarter, Anenih got to USF’s quarterback Katravis Marsh for a strip-sack that made the ball fly out of his hands and right into junior defensive lineman Parish’s hands, which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown.

“I already told (Parish),” Anenih said postgame. “He owes me lunch.”

With the UH defense missing several key starters, including senior defensive lineman Payton Turner, junior linebacker Donavan Mutin and senior strongside linebacker JoVanni Stewart, due to injuries and COVID-19 related issues according to head coach Dana Holgorsen, Parish and Anenih were two of the more experienced guys who stepped up against the Bulls.