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Lewis perseveres at Tech

Former Consol star shakes injury, finds playing time

By RICHARD CROOME
Eagle Staff Writer

Texas Tech freshman receiver Detron Lewis has made a good first impression, twice.

The former A&M Consolidated star opened summer camp in Lubbock so impressively he was on track to become part of the Red Raiders' receiver rotation.

Near the end of the second week, though, the 6-foot, 200-pound Lewis broke his hand during a scrimmage. Not only was he out of the rotation at that point, but the Red Raiders were also considering redshirting him.

"Detron felt he was in the mix, playing good, catching the ball well," said A&M Consolidated offensive coordinator Jay Pugh, who communicates with Lewis regularly. "He said 'I've got to stay in shape, to do the things I can so when the cast comes off, I'll be ready to go.' "

Lewis was back on the practice field about four weeks later, hoping to see the field the following Saturday.

Lewis was ready, but Tech coach Mike Leach remained unsure on whether to redshirt Lewis because he had missed four games.

"He's really a good player, but then there was the balancing act with that, how much was he going to play, how many snaps can we give him, and you hope it's more than less since we didn't redshirt him," Leach said. "The other side is if he travels, plays and gets reps it prepares him all the better for playing next year.

"He adjusts quickly, and [that] I think was the key in our mind of playing him early."

Once again, he didn't disappoint. Lewis caught two passes, both for touchdowns, against Northwestern State on Sept. 29.

With the two touchdown receptions - 13 and 50 yards - Lewis became the first true freshman to haul in two TD passes in one game since Leach, known for putting the ball up 50 to 70 times a game, took over in 2000.

The effort earned Lewis, who was unavailable for comment through the Texas Tech sports information department, more playing time in the Big 12 opener against Iowa State. He hauled in three passes, although the Cyclones kept him out of the end zone.

"What he's done hasn't surprised us because Detron is the type of kid if you tell him to run through a brick wall, he'd want to know how fast you want him to do it," said Pugh. " He was exciting for us and he'll be that way for them. He's a great athlete. He's going to be a difference maker."

As a junior and senior under Pugh and Consol head coach Jim Slaughter, Lewis had 101 receptions for 1,749 yards and 17 touchdowns. In less than six quarters of action at Tech, he has five receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

"I think he's done really well. He's just sort of getting on the same page and the rhythm of playing in the game," Leach said. "He's a fast elusive guy. He's fearless."