Columbia, Mo. ? When Missouri played Nebraska in 2001, Darius Outlaw was on the sidelines as the backup quarterback. Last Saturday, Outlaw was Missouri’s leading receiver in a 24-13 loss.

In less than a year, Outlaw has not only learned the wide receiver position, but he is a starter and one of quarterback Brad Smith’s favorite targets. And Outlaw wasn’t even sure if he’d be back for this season after becoming academically ineligible in the spring.

Outlaw re-earned his eligibility this summer and began practicing as a receiver in two-a-days. With several young receivers on the squad, Outlaw, a senior, was doubtful of his chances to play.

“I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t expect to touch the field at all this season,” he said.

But Outlaw has learned to catch, and he already was athletic enough to make the depth chart. After Marcus James and Thomson Omboga went out with injuries, he got his chance to start at Nebraska. He caught five passes for 71 yards, and has caught nine passes in the last two games.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Outlaw’s quick progress was a pleasant surprise.

“He’s pretty natural at it,” Pinkel said. “He’s done a great job, and he keeps getting better and better. He’s been a real plus for us. You look at all the injuries there, and you see how important it is that a guy shows up and does a really good job.”

Said wide receiver Justin Gage: “I’ve seen a lot of improvement from Darius. He learned a lot more on how to run routes and get away from receivers.”

Outlaw is a partial qualifier, meaning if he graduates by the end of this summer, he could play another year because he missed his sophomore year due to academic problems. It won’t be easy, but Outlaw plans to do it.

Missouri receiver Darius Outlaw, right, congratulates teammate Justin Gage, left, after a reception against Oklahoma. The converted quarterback Outlaw has stepped up for the Tigers to ease the loss of Thomsom Omboga.

“I’m going to get my year back,” he said. “There’s too many good things going on here to let my last year go away. I want to be part of a winning program, and I think we have that here.”

Omboga and James are not on the depth chart for Missouri’s game with Texas Tech Saturday, so Outlaw is still the No. 2 receiver. With the amount of yards that the Texas Tech offense puts up and the recent vulnerability of the Missouri secondary, the Missouri passing game may have to do more than usual.

“As an offense we have to move the ball, we’re going to have to put up some points,” Gage said.