LINCOLN, NEB. ? A week after feeling as low as he probably has in his football career, Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord is happier these days.

The quiet, reserved Lord still isn’t talking publicly, but coaches and teammates say he’s been showing a bit of a lighter side this week.

Funny what 369 yards of offense and four touchdowns in one game can do for a player who nearly lost his job.

“He actually smiled at me today and I haven’t seen a smile from him for a while,” center John Garrison said.

Lord’s rejuvenated outlook will be tested today when the Huskers (4-2, 0-1 Big 12) play at home against Missouri (3-2, 0-1). Lord’s 218 rushing yards and three TDs and 151 passing yards with another TD came against Division I-AA McNeese State last week.

Missouri is coming off a solid outing against No. 2 Oklahoma. The Sooners had to rally to defeat the Tigers 31-24 last week.

But even against a tougher opponent, the Huskers expect Lord’s confidence to remain up after enduring last week’s emotional highs and lows.

Any feedback about Lord is coming from his teammates for now. His silent treatment began after he threw an interception and fumbled in a 36-14 loss at Iowa State on Sept. 28. In the game before, he threw three interceptions in a 40-7 loss at Penn State.

Coach Frank Solich gave him an earful on the sideline at Iowa State and didn’t put him back in the game after the interception set the Cyclones up for an easy touchdown.

Lord also didn’t talk last week as coaches evaluated Lord, Mike Stuntz and Curt Dukes in a quarterback derby to see who would start. In the end, the coaches went with the experience of Lord rather than give Stuntz or Dukes their first collegiate start.

Lord came through with a career game.