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Mr. Kemmie Lewis

Home:
P. O. Box 44602
Lafayette, La 70504

Work:

Home Phone: 337-482-7999
Work Phone: --
Fax: --
Email: --

Lewis emerges as big play receiver for Cajuns
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

October 21, 2004

LAFAYETTE � Kemmie Lewis knew exactly where he was on the field, and also knew where Idaho�s defenders would be.

So when he caught Jerry Babb�s pass over the middle, he knew he had a chance to score.

�It was designed as a dig route across the middle,� Lewis said. �The quarterback was pressured, and the flow went that way. I knew that, so I knew I could go the other way and there wouldn�t be anybody there.�

The senior UL Lafayette wide receiver promptly outraced the Vandals defense to complete a 39-yard touchdown to draw the Ragin� Cajuns within 24-19 of Idaho in the Kibbie Dome.

�Getting into the end zone felt really good,� Lewis said. �I needed that.�

The Cajuns eventually lost 38-25, but Lewis�s play capped a 7-catch, 125-yard effort. In the last two weeks, he has 12 receptions for 220 yards � more than one-third of the 612 yards he has gained on 50 catches in two years with the program.

�I�ve been working real hard,� Lewis said. �I�ve had so many reps in practice that I�m focused and ready to do it in a game.�

�To some extent, it�s an opportunity kind of thing for him,� receivers coach Brian Crist said. �Early on, B.J. (Crist) had opportunities, then Bill (Sampy). Now Kemmie�s getting his turn.

�It makes it tough on the defense. It�s not like when Fred Stamps was here. We would throw to him, even if we knew the defenders were going to be there. And Jerry has done a great job of getting the ball to the open guy.�

�If the defense focuses on one guy, things happen for other receivers,� Lewis said. �Things just happen. Maybe this game, the defense will be focused on me, however. But that would open it up for someone else.�

�We trust them all,� Crist said. �Any one of seven guys can have a 100-yard game. We�ve had three or four different guys have 100, a couple times almost two guys. So, we spread it around.�

Sampy has had games of 107 yards against Louisiana Tech and 109 at New Mexico State, while Crist caught 11 passes for 99 yards at Florida International and went 6-for-64 at NMSU. When Crist was shut out at Idaho, Lewis came through.

�Kemmie is just becoming a better all-around receiver,� Crist said. �He�s running better routes. He busts his tail in practice and he wants to be good. He wants to do the little things right.

�And, the thing about Kemmie is, he�s only concerned with winning. If he has zero catches and we win the game, he�s one person that won�t bother.�

It was Lewis�s bad luck that his two recent big games have come in Cajun defeats, especially galling for a player eager to help out not only on offense but on special teams.

�We use our starters on special teams, because they�re our better players,� Crist said. �If they take a play off, we want them to do it on offense or defense. They know they need to go hard on special teams or they won�t play offense.�

Lewis and his Cajun teammates are thankful to finally be back home, hosting Arkansas State this week for homecoming.

�We�ve been on the road so much,� Lewis said. �With our fans, we need their support. It�s more than a homecoming to us.�

It would not be a surprise to see Lewis come up with more big plays this week. He looks like he�s hitting his stride in the UL offense. But if the Cajuns win, that would be enough for him.

�The Lafayette Daily Advertiser
October 21, 2004