Deantre Lewis returns to the field

Deantre Lewis made his long anticipated return to game action in Arizona
State’s first scrimmage of the season Saturday.

On the second series, the Sun Devils’ running back jogged to the backfield
in his No. 5 uniform and had a one-yard run. Normally an insignificant
play but in Lewis’s case this was an important step in the right direction.

The explosive redshirt sophomore running back missed all of the 2011
season after being shot in the leg last February.

Lewis finished the scrimmage running for 38 yards on 10 carries and a
one-yard TD run. He also caught three balls for 15 yards including an
eight-yard touchdown reception.

The lightning speed witnessed in 2010 still wasn’t there for Lewis, with his
longest run totaling 15 yards, but that’s to be expected.

“Deantre Lewis, I’m proud of him,” said head coach Todd Graham. “He’s
having to retrain that leg and retrain himself mentally. I was told when I got
here he wouldn’t be able to go through spring and he is going through
spring, he’s done a good job.”

Not all was rosy for Lewis during the scrimmage, whose endurance wasn’t
up to par. On a two-point conversion attempt he was chewed out by one of
his coaches for not finishing a play.

Despite struggling with his stamina, Lewis is making strides in his recovery
as he prepares for Todd Graham’s inaugural season.

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