Ex Mulerider Standout Nik Lewis Starts Second CFL Season

Magnolia, Ark. - Former Southern Arkansas University wide receiver Nik Lewis picked up where he left off last year in the Calgary Stampeders'
18-14 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the teams' exhibition opener last Tuesday.
Lewis hooked up with quarterback Henry Burris and wide receiver Jermaine Copeland to create the first touchdown of the season for the Stampeders. On Calgary's opening play of the game Burris dropped back, faked a pass and tossed a lateral throw to Copeland, who then lobbed a perfect ball into the hands of Lewis. Lewis didn't have a defender within ten yards of him and pranced downfield to convert a 74-yard touchdown.
Lewis was far and away Calgary's most impressive receiver, hauling in seven catches for 152 yards and the touchdown, and also showed a lot of grit fighting through a minor injury. "I still dropped two passes," Lewis said with a smile, "that was a good game, hopefully next time it will be a great game."
Lewis was named the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Rookie of the Year last season, leading the Stampeders with 72 receptions for 1,045 yards and eight touchdowns. He also led the team in yards from scrimmage (1,045) and punt-return yards (385), and was second in all-purpose yards (1,496).
Lewis finished the season fourth in the league in punt-return average (12.4) with a minimum of 20 returns. His 72 receptions tied him for ninth in the CFL and he was 14th in receiving yards. He tied for 15th in the league in touchdowns, was 15th in all-purpose yards, and was 23rd in yards from scrimmage.
Calgary's second and final exhibition game is Thursday at British Columbia, before the team opens the regular season on July 1, hosting Toronto.
Lewis' former Mulerider teammate, cornerback Jordan Babineaux, is listed as the backup at right corner on the Seattle Seahawks depth chart posted Wednesday. Babineaux served on special teams and as a backup at right corner last year as Seattle made the NFL playoffs. He played in seven games and finished his rookie season with nine tackles, seven solo. The Seahawks are in their second week of workout camp and open their pre-season schedule on August 12 at New Orleans, before beginning the regular season on
September 11 at Jacksonville.

Houston Taylor
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