MU's Gage sets record with eyes focused on another one

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- As unlikely as it may seem, it wasn't standout freshman Brad Smith breaking Missouri school records last weekend during the Tigers' disappointing loss to No. 3 Oklahoma.

But he did throw the pass that pushed wide receiver Justin Gage past Kenny Holly and his 151 career receptions in the school's record book. Gage ended his night against the Sooners with nine catches for 122 yards, giving him a record 160 for his career and leaving him just two yards shy of Victor Bailey's career record of 2,144 receiving yards.

"It's a great feeling to know that I'm in the record books now and all my hard work is paying off," Gage said. "But the season is not over yet, so I still have to go out there and grind."

It's a grind that many at Missouri think will lead the senior from Jefferson City to the National Football League.

"There's no limit," said fellow wide receiver Darius Outlaw. "Justin, in years beyond, he's going to be amazing. I'm going to be watching him every Sunday, let me tell you that."

Gage set Missouri's career receptions record, and will likely set the career yardage record, in his third season playing wide receiver; as a true freshman, former coach Larry Smith used Gage at quarterback. Along the way, he's also played three seasons of basketball for the Tigers.

"Instead of five days a week in January, February and March catching footballs, he was playing basketball and doing a great job," coach Gary Pinkel said. "So he missed a couple years of that. That's why I still think even when he's done with this year, he has a tremendous upside as a receiver."

Pinkel and wide receivers coach Andy Hill said Gage is one of the best Tigers at preparing with video. The result has been what looks to be a career season. Gage is fourth in the nation in receptions per game with 8.4, and is on pace to break the school's season records in receptions (75) and receiving yards (1,210), both set by Bailey in 1992.

He is also 14 receptions away from breaking the Big 12 record of 174 career receptions, held by Texas' Kwame Cavil, and 247 yards away the conference's career yardage record, set by Kansas State's Aaron Lockett.

"He's going to get better and better as he goes," Pinkel said. "He's worked very hard."

With seven games left in the season, Gage won't talk about going to the NFL. His coaches and teammates, though, think he will succeed. Hill said Gage certainly has the size and athleticism to play in the NFL.

Outlaw and receiver Shirdonya Mitchell have moved to starting positions on the depth chart because of injuries to Thomson Omboga and Marcus James. Omboga might be back for this week's game against Nebraska. But even if Omboga doesn't make it back for the Huskers, Hill said all the pressure won't be on Gage.

"We have guys that can step up," Hill said.