Cornish Excited about Opportunity to Return Home
April 30, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Former University of Kansas running back Jon Cornish, the KU single-season rushing record holder, has agreed to play for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in the 2007 season. The psychology major plans on finishing his degree and reporting to the team in May.
“It is definitely a dream come true to go home to Canada and play football,” Cornish said.
He was the Stampeders’ second round draft pick in the 2006 CFL draft. A 2006 All-Big 12 First Team selection, Cornish became KU’s single-season rushing record holder after collecting 1,457 yards on the ground during the year, breaking the mark in KU’s last contest of the season against Missouri.
In addition, Cornish’s 5.8 yards per carry is the highest single-season mark in school history by a back with more than 200 carries. Cornish, a native of New Westminster, B.C., ended the year as the Big 12’s leader in all-purpose yards with an average of 137.6 yards per contest. Cornish also led all Big 12 players with an average of 121.4 rushing yards per game. He was the only Big 12 back with more than 1,000 rushing yards during the regular-season.
“I feel very confident about getting playing time with Calgary,” Cornish added. “I feel that I am a very knowledgeable football player having learned many things from Coach Mark Mangino and (former KU running back coach) Earle Mosley. They have taught me well and I know that I will be able to adjust quickly to the schemes that Calgary uses.”
A highly regarded prospect from Saint Thomas More High School in New Westminster, B.C., Cornish finished 12th in Kansas history in all-purpose yards (2,604 yards) and ninth on Kansas’ all-time rushing list (2,245 yards). Although the rules change slighlty for Cornish as he transitions to the CFL, he is confident about the prospects.
“Although there is an extra player, I think playing on a wider and longer surface will allow me to utilize my speed better,” Cornish said. “It’s funny because the one thing that hurt my chances in the NFL should be an advantage in the CFL.”
Cornish and the Stampeders open play on June 15th and their 20-game schedule concludes in early November with a road game against the British Columbia Lions, Cornish’s home province.
– KU –
