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.

MU coach Gary 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.