CALGARY – Jon Cornish is staying put.
The five-foot-11, 205-pound tailback signed a contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders on Tuesday.
Cornish, a 27-year-old native of New Westminster, B.C., enjoyed a breakout 2011 campaign. He replaced incumbent Joffrey Reynolds – Calgary’s all-time rushing leader – in the starting lineup this year and finished fifth among CFL rushers with 863 yards.
“I’m extremely happy that Jon has agreed to a contract extension,” John Hufnagel, the Stampeders head coach and GM, said in a statement. “Jon is an important part of this team and our fans can expect to see a lot of him next season and beyond.”
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Cornish also had 11 touchdowns – nine rushing, two catches – to finish tied with Montreal Alouettes receiver Jamel Richardson for the league lead. Cornish averaged an impressive 7.3 yards per carry and was Calgary’s nominee for the CFL’s outstanding Canadian award.
Cornish also added 26 catches for 385 yards.
“I’m excited to sign this deal and I look forward to the 2012 season,” said Cornish. “I believe we have a great chance to win the Grey Cup and I can’t wait to get started.”
Cornish helped Calgary finish tied with Edmonton and B.C. atop the West Division standings with an 11-7 record. But the Stampeders were relegated to third following the season-ending tiebreakers.
Cornish capped his campaign by running for 127 yards on 14 carries (9.1-yard average) and a touchdown in Calgary’s 33-19 loss to Edmonton in the West Division semifinal.
In five seasons with the Stampeders, Cornish has rushed for 1,870 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
Cornish played college football at the University of Kansas and was selected in the second round, 13th overall, by Calgary in the 2006 Canadian college draft. Cornish appeared in 34 games at Kansas, rushing for 2,242 yards and seven touchdowns on 386 carries.
As a senior, Cornish ran for 1,457 yards, a single-season Kansas record.
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