Tomlinson-look-a-like Lewis can't shake injuries

Lewis, who was redshirted in 2002, had a spectacular season. He rushed for 1,024 yards on 186 carries. His yardage was the second best in school history for a freshman, trailing only Greg Hill.

Lewis wasted no time hogging the spotlight. He had 74 yards on 13 carries with a pair of scores in a 26-11 season-opening victory over Arkansas State, then followed that with a 16-carry, 100-yard effort in a 28-26 victory over Utah.

It didn't take long for the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Lewis to earn comparisons to another great running back A&M head coach Dennis Franchione tutored NFL all-pro LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers.

Franchione even said that on one of Lewis touchdown runs he turned to someone on the sidelines and said the last time hed seen a move like that it, was Tomlinson.

Lewis kept making moves like that, but it was hard to get a lot of recognition when your team is limping toward a 4-8 finish.

He was the Big 12's leading freshman rusher, racking up five 100-yard games, including a season-high 171 yards on 26 carries against Oklahoma State.

He earned second-team all-conference honors and freshman All-America citation.

Much was expected of Lewis at the start of the 2004 season. A&Ms offensive line was improved, the receivers were better, and quarterback Reggie McNeal was coming off age.

Indeed, A&M had a 7-4 breakthrough season, earning a trip to the Cotton Bowl on New Years Day to play Tennessee.

Lewis, unfortunately, didn't play as big a role as expected.

He had a horrid start "10 carries for 44 yards" in a season-opening loss at Utah.

Franchione, who has a policy of not talking about injuries unless they are season-ending ones, revealed that Lewis suffered from bumps and bruises.

"The team was going to do good with or without me," Lewis said. "We have all these different explosive players, you cant key on just one. Even if I was hurt for the rest of the season, the team would still have done good."

He missed the Wyoming game to rest his legs, then returned for a 20-carry, 165-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 27-6 victory over 25th-ranked Clemson.

Lewis was able to get another pair of 100-yard games, but he was never 100 percent. He still led the team in rushing with 748 yards, but his average per carry was down 1.1 yard and he scored three less touchdowns.

"It's been real tough," Lewis said. "Especially when youve been out for a game, trying to get back to the rhythm of things."

Lewis, who teamed up with Texas quarterback Vincent Young for a celebrated 1-2 punch in high school at Houston Madison, had never been injured before.

He said it was tough, but at least the team was winning.

McNeal picked up some of the slack, leading the team in rushing in four games as Lewis fought through health issues.

"I just tried to do my best to support Reggie in what he was doing," Lewis said.