Lewis and Stampeders Win CFL’s Grey Cup

By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Former Southern Arkansas Mulerider All-America wide receiver Nik Lewis and his Calgary Stampeder teammates stand alone atop the Canadian Football League, winning the coveted Grey Cup Sunday in Montreal at Olympic Stadium. The Stampeders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 22-14 to claim the 96th Grey Cup championship.

Lewis had 11 receptions for 122 yards in the game that was played in front of 66,305 fans. It was Calgary’s sixth Grey Cup championship in franchise history, the last coming in 2001.

Brett Ralph had the Stampeders’ only touchdown, a 20-yard reception from quarterback Henry Burris in the second quarter. Calgary’s remaining points came on five field goals by Sandro DeAngelis. Burris was named the game’s most outstanding player, throwing for 328 yards and the touchdown, and rushing for 79 yards on nine carries. DeAngelis was selected as top Canadian.

The championship concluded Lewis’ fifth season with the Stampeders, who had a 13-5 mark during the regular season. Lewis finished the regular season with 87 catches for 1,102 yards and 10 touchdowns, including three games with 100-plus yards receiving. He added four receptions for 62 yards in Calgary’s 22-18 West Final playoff win over the B.C. Lions. Earlier in the season Lewis reached the 5,000-yard receiving mark for his career, becoming the first player in franchise history to record five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The Grey Cup championship was his 89th consecutive game with a reception.

A walk-on out of Jacksboro, Texas, Lewis played at Southern Arkansas from 2001-2003. He was named to four All-America teams his senior season and was one of 24 finalists for the Harlon Hill trophy, awarded to the Division II college football player of the year. Lewis still holds eight school records at SAU.